Hawaii (Maui / Big Island)
Volcanic ridgelines, ancient lava fields, and Pacific panoramas across two islands that justify every mile of the flight and every dollar of the green fee.
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State
Hawaii
Courses
5
Green Fees
$195–$546
The flight is long. From the West Coast, five hours. From Chicago or Dallas, eight or more. The green fees, once you arrive, are higher than the mainland average by a comfortable margin. The rental car, essential on both islands, will cost more than you expect during peak season. None of this is a secret, and none of it has slowed the steady procession of golfers who make the trip and come back convinced it was worth every logistical inconvenience....
Read our full editorial guide →Courses Worth the Trip
5 courses across Hawaii (Maui / Big Island)
Bucket List
Kapalua — Plantation Course
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Home of the PGA Tour's The Sentry, this Coore & Crenshaw renovation plays across volcanic ridgelines above the Pacific with elevation changes that reward strategic positioning over brute force.
USD 445–546ResortBill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (1991, renovated 2019)
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Premium
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s 1964 design pioneered destination golf in Hawaii and remains a formidable test across rugged lava terrain with panoramic ocean and mountain views.
USD 215–325ResortRobert Trent Jones Sr. (1964); RTJ Jr. renovation
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Premium
Mauna Lani — South Course
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Six oceanfront holes through ancient lava fields along the Kohala Coast make this one of the most visually dramatic resort courses in the United States.
USD 195–295ResortHomer Flint & Raymond Cain (1981); Nelson & Haworth redesign (1991)
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Mid-Range
Wailea — Emerald Course
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
The more forgiving companion to the Gold, the Emerald features wider fairways and dramatic tropical landscaping with ocean views from every hole in South Maui.
USD 199–285ResortRobert Trent Jones Jr. (1994)
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Mid-Range
Wailea — Gold Course
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
The more demanding of the two Wailea RTJ Jr. courses, the Gold plays through natural lava outcroppings with ocean views from every hole on the slopes of Haleakala.
USD 199–285ResortRobert Trent Jones Jr. (1994)
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Where to Stay
8 options near the courses
Resort
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
A 32-acre oceanfront resort adjacent to Mauna Lani with a private lagoon, open-air spa, and five restaurants that provide a luxury Big Island base at a lower rate than the Auberge.
From $350/nightMauna Lani South (adjacent, ~5 min)
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Resort
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Auberge-managed resort on the Kohala Coast with on-site access to the Mauna Lani South Course and cultural programs rooted in the property's Hawaiian heritage.
From $600/nightMauna Lani South (on-site)
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Resort
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Five Diamond resort on Maui's northwest coast with direct access to both Kapalua courses and the spa, dining, and beach infrastructure to match.
From $500/nightKapalua Plantation (on-site); Kapalua Bay (~5 min)
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Resort
Napili Kai Beach Resort
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Beachfront boutique resort on Napili Bay with kitchenettes and proximity to the Kapalua courses at rates below the Ritz-Carlton tier.
From $250/nightKapalua Bay (~10 min)
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Resort
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Renovated beachfront Marriott at Waikoloa with pool, spa, and a 15-minute drive to the Kohala Coast courses at rates below the luxury tier.
From $250/nightMauna Lani South (~15 min)
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Resort
Wailea Beach Resort — Marriott, Maui
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Four-star Marriott in South Maui with direct proximity to both Wailea courses, four pools, and family-friendly infrastructure.
From $400/nightWailea Gold/Emerald (~5 min)
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Hotel
Courtyard Maui Kahului Airport
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Airport-adjacent Marriott property in central Maui with pool and restaurant, providing a practical base for golfers prioritizing green fees over resort amenities.
From $180/nightWailea courses (~25 min)
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Hotel
Maui Seaside Hotel
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Budget-friendly Kahului hotel near the airport with pool, providing the lowest nightly rate for Maui golf trips.
From $120/nightWailea courses (~25 min)
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Off the Fairway
Non-golf activities and companion experiences
Nature
Full day
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Active volcanoes, lava tubes, steam vents, and crater rim trails at a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Big Island's southeastern coast.
$80-$150 (guided); $30 park entry (self-drive)
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Cultural
3-4 hours
Luau (Traditional Hawaiian Feast)
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Hawaiian cultural evening with traditional food, music, hula dancing, and fire performance at venues across Maui and the Big Island.
$80-$150
ViatorBook activity
Scenic
Full day
Road to Hana Tour
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Maui's most iconic day trip follows a winding coastal highway through 617 curves, 59 bridges, waterfalls, and rainforest to the remote eastern shore.
$100-$180
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Water
5 hours
Snorkelling at Molokini Crater
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Boat trip to a partially submerged volcanic crater reef with 250 fish species and water clarity that reaches 150 feet on good days.
$75-$130
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Dining
2-3 hours
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Catamaran cruise along the Maui coast at sunset with dinner, cocktails, and live music as the sun drops behind the island of Lanai.
$100-$180
ViatorBook activity
Nature
2 hours
Whale Watching
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Humpback whale migration to Maui waters produces some of the world's best whale watching from December through April.
$40-$70
ViatorBook activity
Adventure
3 hours
Zipline Tour
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Zipline through Maui's rainforest canopy or Big Island tropical valleys with multiple lines and difficulty levels across a three-hour guided session.
$75-$150
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Hawaiian Cultural Experience
Cultural
2-3 hours
Hawaiian Cultural Experience
Hawaii (Maui / Big Island), Hawaii
Lei making, ukulele lessons, outrigger canoeing, and cultural farm tours for authentic Hawaiian immersion beyond the resort setting.
$30-$60
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Plan Your Trip
Pre-planned itineraries for Hawaii (Maui / Big Island)
Bucket List Trip
Big Island Focus: Four Nights on the Kohala Coast
Four nights on the Kohala Coast playing Mauna Lani South and Mauna Kea with a full day at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park between rounds.
4 daysUSD 2500–4500/person
Bucket List Trip
Island Hopper: Five Nights Across Maui and the Big Island
Five nights across two islands playing Kapalua Plantation on Maui and Mauna Lani South on the Big Island, connected by a 40-minute inter-island flight.
5 daysUSD 4000–7000/person
Bucket List Trip
Maui Focus: Five Nights on the Valley Isle
Five nights across West and South Maui playing Kapalua's Plantation and Bay courses and Wailea Gold, with Molokini snorkelling and whale watching between rounds.
5 daysUSD 3500–6000/person
Planning Your Trip
Airports, rental cars, seasonal pricing, and local knowledge for Hawaii (Maui / Big Island).
From the Editorial
Articles covering Hawaii (Maui / Big Island)
Opinion
Palm Springs vs Hawaii: Winter Sun Golf
Comparing the Coachella Valley's accessible desert golf with Hawaii's volcanic resort courses for winter golf escapes.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Trip Planning
Destination Guide
