Big Island Golf Courses
The Golf Capital of Hawaiʻi - Epic lava field courses
Written by Local Golf Expert
Leilani AkoHawaiʻi Island - The Golf Capital of the Aloha State
The Big Island is golf on an epic, primal scale. It is rightly known as the "Golf Capital of Hawaiʻi," a place where the game is defined by the stunning contrast of vibrant green fairways carved through vast, ancient fields of black lava rock.
Playing here feels like a journey to the dawn of creation, where every shot is framed by the raw power of the earth.
🏆 Mauna Kea Golf Course - The Legend
This is more than a golf course. It is a cornerstone of Hawaiian history and a monument to human ingenuity. The story of Mauna Kea is the stuff of legend. It begins with the audacious vision of conservationist and venture capitalist Laurance Rockefeller, who in the early 1960s chose a barren stretch of the Kohala Coast to build the world's finest resort.
"Mr. Rockefeller, if you allow me to build a golf course here, this'll be the most beautiful hole in the world"
— Robert Trent Jones Sr., speaking about the famous 3rd hole
To create this masterpiece, Jones Sr.'s team crushed sharp lava rock, mixed it with sand and soil, and barged it in to create a foundation for the now-lush fairways—a revolutionary technique at the time. The course opened in 1964 with a televised match between the "Big Three" of golf: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.
The par-3 3rd hole, with its terrifying 170-yard carry over the churning ocean, was instantly iconic and remains one of the most photographed and revered holes in all of golf.
Other Big Island Legends
Mauna Lani (South Course)
The Showstopper: Features its own spectacular over-the-ocean par-3, the 15th, that rivals Mauna Kea's famous 3rd.
Hosted Senior Skins Game for a decade
Hualālai Golf Course
The Modern Masterpiece: Jack Nicklaus Signature design that hosts PGA Tour Champions' Mitsubishi Electric Championship since 1997.
18th green steps from the ocean
Hilo Municipal Golf Course
The Local's Choice: As the only public golf course on the entire island, it's a hub for the local community and authentic golf experience.
Opened 1951, designed by Willard Wilkinson
Volcano Golf & Country Club
Most Unique Location: Play alongside the Kilauea caldera at 4,000 feet elevation - unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Cool mountain golf experience
Complete Big Island Golf Course Guide
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Kohala Coast • Resort • Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Mauna Lani (North & South)
Kohala Coast • Resort • Francis H. Iʻi Brown, R. Cain
Hualālai Golf Club
Kailua-Kona • Private Resort • Jack Nicklaus
Waikoloa Beach Resort
Waikoloa • Resort • Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Hāpuna Golf Course
Kohala Coast • Resort • Arnold Palmer, Ed Seay
🌋 Big Island Golf Facts
- Golf Capital: Since 1960s
- Famous Hole: Mauna Kea #3
- Unique Feature: Lava rock fairways
- Best Season: Year-round
⛳ Course Types
- Luxury Resort Courses
- Lava Field Layouts
- Ocean View Holes
- Mountain Golf (Volcano)
🗺️ Other Islands
🌋 Lava Golf Tips
Lava Rock Rough
Stay in fairways - lava rock is unforgiving and can damage clubs
Sun Protection
Lava reflects heat - extra sunscreen and water essential