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Best Golf Courses in Hawaii

Best Golf Courses in Hawaii

Looking to play the best golf courses in Hawaii? The gems are endless and GolfReviewsGuide.com picks out the top courses to play in Hawaii.

If you are planning to visit the state of Hawaii as a golfing enthusiast, then you’ll be happy to learn that it is home to plenty of golf courses.

It seems that Hawaiian developers have had the golfing vacationers in mind for decades.

In addition to pineapples, amazing beaches, and relaxing resorts, there are over 70 golf courses in the state of Hawaii. The setting for many of them is stunning and our recommendations for the state’s best is below.

1. The Plantation Course

Kapalua Plantation Course

At the northwest tip of Maui, you’ll find both the Kapalua Golf Course and The Plantation Course. Golfing enthusiasts have been particularly impressed with the latter over the years.

The Plantation Course is consistently ranked as the top golf course – not just for Maui but for the state of Hawaii. It hosts the Tournament of Champions on the PGA Tour in January each year.

Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore designed this course, a fair par-73 test with 7,596 collective yards of challenges to negotiate from all the tees to all the pins.

This course is not just about the golf but the scenery as it offers amazing ocean views from several points. If you are staying in the area, a second 18-hole course can be played at the nearby Bay Course.

RELATED: Best Courses To Play in the United States

2. Nanea Golf Course

Nanea Golf

The Nanea Golf Course is a little inland from the west coast of the big island of Hawaii, however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ocean views.

The road to the course is inclined and the result is a golf course at an elevation that offers both ocean views and views of distant islands in the Hawaiian islands chain.

As a course that was built on lava rock, golfers will experience something unique when they golf Nanea, a course that has been compared to Augusta National.

An invitation is required to play this 7,464-yard course (par-73), which is located in the Kailua-Kona region.

3. Wai’alae Country Club

Waialea Country Club

If you are looking for a golf course that’s close to Honolulu on the island of O’ahu, then visit the Wai’alae Country Club.

This course is the home of the Sony Open on the PGA Tour. It features a difficult par-72 test and over 7,100 total yards from tees to pins.

This course has stood the test of time. The centennial for the venue will take place later this decade as it was first opened for play on February 1st, 1927.

The designers of the Wai’alae Country Club used Scottish courses as a model, specifically St. Andrews and North Berwick.

If you are planning to visit this course, it may come in handy to learn a couple of native terms: Makai means “ocean side” while Mauka means “Mountain Side.” That speaks well to the scenery in the area.

4. The Club at Hokuli’a

The Club at Hokuli'a

Considered a tough challenge, The Club at Hokuli’a spans three miles along the Kona Coast on the west side of the big island of Hawaii.

The golf course at the club, a private course, is part of the Jack Nicklaus Signature series.

The course is considered one of the finest in all of Hawaii and it had a distinguished review score on Google at the time of writing.

In an area known for its gentle climate, golfers should expect a breeze and they should enjoy spectacular ocean views both before teeing off and after completing their putting.

5. Ewa Beach Golf Club

Ewa Beach Golf Club

The Ewa Beach Golf Club is a favourite among the tourists to the Honolulu area.

Nestled in between Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach, the course is noted for beautiful greens, a mountain range in the background, and lengthy fairways.

During play, golfers will need to be careful of the numerous water hazards and sand traps on this course. But the staff of the course has earned a reputation for proper manicuring.

Relative to some courses in this list, Ewa Beach Golf Club is much more accessible.

Firstly, it’s not far from some major tourist attractions in Hawaii, like Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbour. Also, you can make your reservation to play without having to know a member.