Big Island Golf
Green fairways through black lava on one of the sunniest coasts in Hawaii.
Plan a Hawaii Golf TripBig Island Golf: Fairways Through the Lava
On Hawaii Island, most resort golf is on the Kohala Coast north of Kona, where bright green fairways cut through black lava fields. This leeward coast is one of the sunniest places in the state, which makes it a reliable choice for a golf-heavy trip.
Mauna Kea Golf Course
The original Kohala Coast resort course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design that opened in the 1960s, with holes along the shoreline.
Hapuna Golf Course
Next door to Mauna Kea, on the slopes above Hapuna Beach.
Mauna Lani
A resort area with two courses, the North and the South, laid out across lava flows near the shore.
Waikoloa
The Beach Course and the Kings’ Course serve the Waikoloa resort area, with many hotels and condos close by.
The Hualalai resort course north of the Kona airport is the home of a PGA Tour Champions event but is limited to resort guests and members. Up on the slopes near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Golf & Country Club offers a cooler, misty round at elevation.
Why the Kohala Coast Works for Golf
The resort areas here were built on lava flows that receive little rain, which is why the grass looks so vivid against the black rock. The courses sit close together along one highway, so you can play a different layout each day without long drives. Beaches such as Hapuna, Kaunaoa (Mauna Kea Beach) and Anaehoomalu Bay are nearby for the rest of the group, and the summit of Mauna Kea and the Waimea upcountry are short drives inland for a change of scene.
Playing the Kohala Coast
- Expect strong afternoon winds; morning tee times are calmer and cooler.
- Lava rough is unforgiving. A ball in the lava is usually gone, so bring extra balls and take a drop rather than climbing on sharp rock.
- Heat reflects off the lava. Carry water, wear a hat and use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
- Hilo and the windward side are much wetter. If you base yourself there, plan golf days on the Kohala side.
The Big Island is large; Kohala to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a long day trip. For volcano visits, Hilo and the rest of the island, see Best of Hawaii Island, and check the National Park Service’s Hawaii Volcanoes page for current eruption and closure information before you go.
Big Island Golf Questions
Where should golfers stay on the Big Island?
The Kohala Coast resort areas (Mauna Kea, Hapuna, Mauna Lani and Waikoloa) put several courses within a short drive. Kailua-Kona has more budget choices and is a reasonable drive from the resort courses.
Is Big Island golf good in the rainy season?
The Kohala Coast is dry for much of the year, so it is a good winter golf choice. The windward Hilo side gets far more rain.
Plan Big Island Golf
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