Big Island Golf Courses: From Lava Fields to Volcano Rims

More Than a Game, It's a Journey

The first time I stood on the 3rd tee at Mauna Kea, with the Pacific churning below and the scent of salt and plumeria in the air, I didn't just see a golf hole. I saw the soul of Hawaiʻi.

My name is Kalani Miller, and I've spent a lifetime exploring the fairways carved from this island's volcanic heart. Golf here is different. It's played on the slopes of the world's largest mountains and on the edges of ancient lava flows where you can feel the mana—the spiritual energy—of the land with every swing.

I've played these courses in the calm of the morning and battled the afternoon trade winds. I've celebrated birdies on the sun-drenched Kohala Coast and watched my drives soar in the thin air next to a volcano. This is the culmination of those experiences.

I'm not just going to give you a list of courses. I'm going to take you on a journey. We'll walk the fairways of the legendary "Gold Coast" resorts, the tracks that put Hawaiʻi on the global golf map. Then, I'll let you in on some local secrets—the hidden gems and public courses where you can get a world-class experience without the resort price tag.

Finally, I'll give you the practical, insider advice you need to plan the perfect Big Island golf trip, from the best time to book a tee time to exactly what you need to pack. This is your playbook for playing through paradise.

The Gold Standard – Golfing the Kohala Coast

The stretch of coastline on the west side of the Big Island, known as the Kohala Coast, is rightfully called the "Golf Capital of Hawaiʻi." This is where visionary developers and legendary architects took on the impossible challenge of transforming barren lava fields into some of the most beautiful and dramatic golf courses on earth.

The weather here is almost always perfect—sunny and dry—and the views are endless. If you're coming to the Big Island for a premier golf vacation, this is where your journey begins. These are the titans, the courses that define luxury golf in the Pacific.

Mauna Kea Golf Course: The Grandfather of Lava Golf

You can't talk about Big Island golf without starting at Mauna Kea. Back in the early 1960s, when conservationist and venture capitalist Laurance Rockefeller first saw this rugged patch of black lava coastline, people thought he was crazy to envision a luxury resort here. They thought his chosen golf course architect, the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., was even crazier for agreeing to build a course on it.

They had to crush the volcanic rock to create soil for the grass to grow. But what they created in 1964 was nothing short of a masterpiece—the first resort course on the island and a layout that set the standard for generations to come.

The course has a unique family legacy, making it the only one in the world to be shaped by the three titans of the Jones design family. After RTJ Sr.'s original design, his son Rees Jones softened some elements, and most recently, his other son, Robert Trent Jones Jr., completed a stunning renovation.

This renovation honored his father's vision while introducing modern touches, like the environmentally friendly and exceptionally smooth Platinum Paspalum turf on the greens and fairways. Playing here feels like walking through history.

It's a demanding test of golf, with over 120 strategically placed bunkers and large, elevated, undulating greens that require precise iron play and a deft touch.

The 3rd Hole: One Shot That Defines a Legacy

This hole is, without exaggeration, one of the most famous and photographed par 3s on the planet. Standing on the tee, you're faced with an intimidating, breathtaking view. The shot is a complete carry over a churning Pacific Ocean inlet, where turquoise waves crash against the black lava cliffs below.

From the back tees, it's a monstrous 272-yard shot, but thankfully there are multiple tee boxes for players of all levels. The green is a challenging kidney shape, nestled against the cliff's edge. It's a hole that tests your nerve as much as your skill.

Hitting the green here feels like a monumental achievement, and even if you don't, the experience of just attempting the shot is something you'll never forget.

Hāpuna Golf Course: The Scenic Links-Style Sister

If Mauna Kea is the revered grandfather, Hāpuna is its stunning, athletic younger sister. Designed in 1992 by the legendary duo of Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, this course offers a brilliant contrast in style.

Where Mauna Kea is a classic, target-style course, Hāpuna is a sprawling, links-style layout that emphasizes the natural contours of the land. The course is famous for its dramatic elevation changes, climbing from near sea level to over 700 feet, which guarantees spectacular panoramic ocean views from every single hole.

Many players find it more "forgiving" than Mauna Kea, with wider fairways, but its challenges come from the constant wind and changes in elevation. It's an environmentally sensitive design that truly blends into the surrounding hillside, making for a beautiful and natural-feeling round of golf.