The Best Courses to Golf in Hawaii
/Now that the Masters has ended it’s officially golf season. Unfortunately though for many places, the weather hasn’t allowed you to rid your game of the accumulated dust.. How about heading to your favorite Hawaiian Island and enjoy the sunshine on the course and post-round drinks at the beach. I’ve included my favorite course on each island and the best hotel to stay at to make your trip complete. Make sure to book your trip with Nick Running Travel to get the VIP perks and benefits at all the noted hotels.
Hawaii (Big Island):
Hualalai Golf Course
Just outside of Kona, this Jack Nicklaus signature course winds through the black lava fields and along the ocean. The finishing stretch of holes hugs the coastline making you think twice about every shot. This course also plays host to the PGA Champions tour during the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January.
Where to Stay: Four Seasons Hualalai
The only way to play this course is to know a member or stay at the Four Seasons. This hotel is set on Hawaii Island’s exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast, this showpiece oceanfront luxury resort in Hualalai captures the essence of Hawaiian design, culture and tradition. The hotel offers seven swimming pools, beachfront access, three restaurants, and a state of the art fitness facility and spa. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, clients of Nick Running Travel receive special amenities and perks, feel free to reach out to us for details.
Maui:
Kapalua Plantation Course:
Consistently ranked as the #1 golf course in Hawaii, playing The Plantation Course is sure to be on every golfer’s bucket list. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, the course was designed on a grand scale in keeping with its location on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and offers ocean views from virtually every hole. With dramatic elevation changes, this course offers plenty of downhill tee shots. You’ll feel like one of the pros when you hit one of the longest drives of your life on the severely downhill 18th hole. The Plantation Course is the site of the PGA TOUR's Sentry Tournament of Champions each January featuring an elite field of previous year's PGA TOUR winners.
Where to Stay: Ritz Carlton Kapalua
The Ritz is set on Maui’s northwest side away from the traditional resort areas of Wailea. Just up the shore from Ka'anapali Beach the Ritz sits on the pristine 22,000-acre Kapalua Resort, giving guests exclusive access to amenities and activities such as Hawaii’s largest nature preserves with two marine sanctuaries, golf and miles of hiking trails. A complementary resort shuttle can take guests to great local restaurants like Merriman’s Kapalua, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar and The Plantation House. As a Ritz Carlton STARS and Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Gourmet Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- $100 Resort or Hotel credit
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Lanai:
Manele Golf Course
Built high above the shimmering waters of Hulopoe Bay, this Jack Nicklaus Signature course is Lanai’s premier golf course. Built on lava outcroppings, the course features three holes perched on cliffs, enlisting the Pacific Ocean as a water hazard. Tee shots over natural gorges and ravines must be precise, but golfers are rewarded with ocean views from the fairways and even the chance of whale sightings. Be sure to take note of the archaeological ruins that border the greens and the breathtaking views beyond.
Where to Stay: Four Seasons Lanai
Four Seasons Lanai was just completely remodeled from the ground up to become the new premier Hawaiian destination. It sits on the southeastern shore of one of Hawaii’s last unspoiled island. The hotel has nine different bars and restaurants, snorkeling, diving and sailing. The hotel can also arrange ATV rentals, horseback riding and helicopter tours. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, clients of Nick Running Travel receive special amenities and perks, feel free to reach out to us for details.
Oahu:
Ko Olina Golf Club
Home to the LPGA's annual LOTTE Championship, Ko Olina Golf Club is recognized as one of Oahu's premier golf courses. Located on the western coast of Oahu, Ko'olina offers a challenging 18-hole championship course with exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens, and no parallel fairways. Located on the sunny West Coast of Oahu, just a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki.
Where to Stay: Halekulani
Situated on five prime oceanfront acres, Halekulani has been a Waikiki Beach landmark for almost 100 years. Each tropically elegant guestroom features a large lanai that opens to views of the gardens, the Pacific Ocean or Diamond Head. Sunbathe or watch the surfing action on famed Waikiki Beach; relax by the dreamy swimming pool, made up of 1.2 million mosaic tiles; or indulge in the Pacific Islands inspired treatments at SpaHalekulani. As a Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:
- Room Upgrade at the time of booking, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two in-room guests.
- $100 / $200 Hotel Credit depending on room type
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Kauai:
Princeville Golf Course
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who brilliantly integrated the wild beauty of the north shore of Kauai. Taking advantage of wilderness areas, natural water features and the dramatic coastline, the course winds its way through magnificent stands of trees and rolling landscape and views that will astonish you with their unforgettable beauty.
Where to Stay: St Regis Princeville
Located in the 9,000 acre resort community of Princeville at Hanalei, this luxury resort on Kauai resides on the northern shore of the "Garden Island" and provides visitors all the amenities expected from an island destination considered to be one of the most spectacular in Hawai'i. Guests of our Kauai resort reside in a bastion of tropical sophistication featuring cuisine that celebrates local flavors along with an array of diverse activities. Don't miss the nightly champagne sabering at sunset from the St. Regis Bar. As a Virtuoso member clients of Nick Running Travel receive:
- Room upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- $100 Resort or Hotel credit.
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi