Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw
Kapalua Resort - Plantation Course
The headliner on Maui, with big elevation change, wide corridors, Pacific views, and PGA TOUR history at The Sentry.
At Kapalua Resort, Maui
USA
Golf Trips in Hawaii
Island golf built around ocean views, resort stays, and the kind of rounds that define a Hawaii trip.
Hawaii — overview
Hawaii turns a golf trip into a full island itinerary, with Maui resort golf at Kapalua and Wailea plus Kauai rounds framed by cliffs, trade winds, and tropical terrain. The best trips pair two or three anchor courses with beach time, local food, and clean logistics between airports, hotels, and tee sheets.
- Destinations
- 3
- Courses
- 9+
- Best months
- April through June and September through early December are the sweet spots for Hawaii golf, with strong weather and fewer peak-holiday crowds. Winter can still be excellent, especially on Maui’s leeward side, but rates and demand tend to climb.
- Typical length
- 5 nights / 4 rounds
- Trips from
- $2,495
What makes it special
Why play golf in Hawaii.
Hawaii is one of the few U.S. golf destinations where the setting is as memorable as the scorecard. Maui offers polished resort golf at Kapalua and Wailea, while Kauai brings a more rugged island feel with oceanfront holes, trade-wind shotmaking, and slower post-round pacing. It works best for golfers who want premium rounds, resort comfort, and non-golf time built into the same trip.
Maui gives Hawaii its strongest resort-golf spine. Kapalua Resort anchors the northwest side with the Plantation Course, a PGA TOUR venue known for elevation change and sweeping Pacific views, plus the Bay Course closer to the coastline. Wailea adds three sunny south-shore courses—Gold, Emerald, and Blue—making Maui the easiest island for a classic stay-and-play itinerary.
Kauai plays differently. The island is greener, quieter, and more spread out, with golf shaped by cliffs, jungle edges, ocean holes, and longer scenic drives. A Kauai golf plan often centers on a small collection of headline rounds such as Princeville Makai, Poipu Bay, Hōkūala, Puakea, or Wailua depending on where the group is staying.
The key to Hawaii is restraint. Instead of chasing every course on every island, JEL Golf Travel builds the trip around the right island pairing, the right resort base, and enough open time to make the travel feel like Hawaii rather than a packed tournament schedule.
Resorts & destinations
Where to play in Hawaii.
The Hawaii destinations we plan the most — each with the courses, lodging and seasonality our concierge knows by heart.
Signature courses
The courses that define Hawaii.
For a first Hawaii golf trip, build around one Maui anchor at Kapalua or Wailea, then add Kauai only if the group wants a second island and more scenic variety.
Arnold Palmer and Francis DuaneKapalua Resort - Bay Course
A resort-friendly counterpoint to Plantation, playing closer to the coast with memorable ocean scenery and a more relaxed rhythm.
At Kapalua Resort, Maui
Robert Trent Jones Jr.Wailea Golf Club - Gold Course
Wailea’s strongest championship test, with lava-rock framing, strategic angles, and a sunny south-Maui setting.
At Wailea
Plan your trip
When to go, how to get there.
- Best time to visit
- April through June and September through early December are the sweet spots for Hawaii golf, with strong weather and fewer peak-holiday crowds. Winter can still be excellent, especially on Maui’s leeward side, but rates and demand tend to climb.
- Weather & climate
- Hawaii golf weather depends heavily on island side and elevation. Maui’s Wailea area is typically sunnier and drier, Kapalua can see more wind and passing showers, and Kauai is famously green because rain is part of the island pattern. Pack light rain gear, expect trade winds, and build tee times with daylight and drive times in mind.
- Typical trip length
- 5 nights / 4 rounds
- Getting there
- Most Maui golf trips fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), then use a rental car or arranged transfers to reach Kapalua or Wailea. Kauai trips fly into Lihue Airport (LIH), with drives varying by base area: south-shore golf is generally easier from Poipu, while Princeville requires more north-shore travel. A rental car is strongly recommended unless the trip is staying almost entirely inside one resort zone.
- Nearest airports
- OGG (Kahului, Maui) · LIH (Lihue, Kauai) · HNL (Honolulu, Oahu)
- Who it's best for
- Couples, families, and buddies trips that want high-end resort golf with beaches, dining, and island downtime built into the itinerary.
- Trip styles
- ResortCouplesLuxuryOcean viewsIsland hoppingBuddies trip
Off the course
Local culture in Hawaii.
Off the course, Hawaii rewards groups that leave room in the schedule. Maui pairs resort dining with drives to beaches, viewpoints, and small towns; Kauai leans quieter, with coastal hikes, food trucks, local plate lunches, and dramatic north- and south-shore scenery. The post-round rhythm is simple: rinse off, watch the sun drop, and keep dinner close enough that nobody has to rush.
Frequently asked
Hawaii golf FAQs.
What are the best golf destinations in Hawaii?
For JEL Golf Travel, the core Hawaii destinations are Kapalua Resort on Maui, Wailea on Maui, and Kauai. Kapalua is the headline bucket-list stop, Wailea is the easiest sunny resort-golf base, and Kauai is best for groups that want a quieter, more scenic island feel.
How many days do you need for a Hawaii golf trip?
Most Hawaii golf trips work best at 5 to 7 nights. That gives the group time for 3 to 5 rounds without turning the trip into constant airport, car, and tee-time logistics. If you are playing both Maui and Kauai, plan closer to a full week.
Is Maui or Kauai better for a golf trip?
Maui is usually better for a first Hawaii golf trip because Kapalua and Wailea give you multiple strong resort courses on one island. Kauai is better for a quieter, more scenic trip with dramatic drives and a less built-up feel. The best choice depends on whether the group wants resort convenience or island adventure.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Hawaii?
April through June and September through early December are excellent windows for Hawaii golf. You still get warm island weather, but demand is often lighter than peak winter and holiday periods. Winter can be great too, but pricing and availability are usually tighter.
Do you need a rental car for a Hawaii golf trip?
A rental car is strongly recommended for most Hawaii golf trips. Maui and Kauai both involve meaningful drives between airports, resorts, courses, beaches, and dinner spots. Groups that want a more hands-off trip can use arranged transfers, but a car gives the itinerary far more flexibility.
Can you play Kapalua and Wailea on the same trip?
Yes, Kapalua and Wailea can be played on the same Maui trip, but they sit on different sides of the island. Many groups choose one resort base and make a day trip to the other side for a featured round. If golf is the main focus, building the route carefully matters more than simply adding tee times.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your Hawaii trip.
Share your dates, group size, and the courses you have in mind. We'll come back inside 48 hours with a tailored itinerary, real numbers and secured tee times.