Prepare to embark on a golfing adventure like no other in the stunning city of Honolulu and these top 10 Honolulu Golf Courses. With a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and a wealth of challenging fairways, Honolulu offers a range of top-notch golf courses that cater to every golfer’s dream.
From seasoned pros to enthusiastic beginners, the courses in Honolulu promise an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blends the love of the game with the beauty of the island.
Waialae Country Club
Ever watched the Sony Open and thought, “That doesn’t look so hard”? Yeah, me too. Then I played it. Waialae Country Club is like that friend who looks laid-back but turns out to be surprisingly intense. The fairways are pristine, the greens are faster than my career best round, and the ocean views… well, try concentrating on your putt when paradise is literally right there.
Pro tip: The 16th hole looks easy on TV. It’s not. I once hit what I thought was a perfect approach shot, only to watch the trade winds carry it into a place I’m pretty sure wasn’t even on the course map.
Location: 4997 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Championship
Ko’olau Golf Club
Want to feel humbled? Play Ko’olau Golf Club. This course is what happens when Mother Nature decides to design a golf course after watching too many survival shows. Carved into the mountains, it’s probably the most beautiful place you’ll ever lose a dozen balls.
I played here during a light rain (which, in Hawaii, means you can still see the next tee box), and let me tell you – those elevation changes hit different when everything’s a bit slick. Pack extra balls. Then pack some more.
Location: 45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Challenging Mountain
Ala Wai Golf Course
Ah, Ala Wai – the people’s course. Don’t let the municipal status fool you; this track has more character than a Waikiki beach bar at happy hour. Sure, it’s not the fanciest course on the list, but it’s where real Honolulu golf happens.
The best part? Playing alongside locals who have stories about the course that go back decades. Just don’t ask about the canal unless you want a 30-minute history lesson (though it’s actually pretty interesting).
Location: 404 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Municipal
Olomana Golf Links
Hidden at the foot of the Ko’olaus, Olomana Golf Links is what golf in Hawaii should be – challenging but not cruel, beautiful but not distracting, and just remote enough to feel special. The mountains create wind patterns that’ll make you question everything you know about club selection.
My favorite moment here? Watching a local wedding party take photos on the 18th while I tried (and failed) to not chunk my approach shot into the pond. They were kind enough to edit me out of their photos.
Location: 41-1801 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Mountain
Hawaii Kai Golf Course
Hawaii Kai Golf Course – This is where I learned that “water hazard” has a whole different meaning in Hawaii. Playing Hawaii Kai is like getting a geography lesson – ocean on one side, mountains on the other, and somehow your ball finds the one palm tree in between.
The signature hole here is gorgeous, but don’t get too distracted by the views. I once spent so much time taking photos that my playing partners sent a search party (okay, they just sent the beverage cart, but same difference).
Location: 8902 Kalanianaole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Public
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club
Royal Hawaiian Golf Club – They don’t call it Royal for nothing. This course makes you feel like Hawaiian golf royalty, even when you’re fishing your third ball out of a jungle ravine. The ocean views are spectacular, but it’s the mountain backdrop that’ll really mess with your depth perception.
Word of advice: When the starter tells you about the wind patterns, actually listen. Unlike me, who learned the hard way that a “gentle breeze” in Hawaii can turn your perfect drive into an impromptu exploration of the local flora.
Location: 770 Auloa Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Championship
Hawaii Prince Golf Club
Next up on our list, the Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Arnold Palmer designed this beauty, and I’m pretty sure he was having a particularly challenging day when he did. The wind here can make even the most straightforward shot feel like you’re trying to land a paper airplane in a hurricane.
But those water features? Pure magic at sunset. Just try not to contribute too many balls to them like I did during my last round (I swear the ponds are magnetic).
Location: 91-1200 Fort Weaver Rd, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Championship
Kapolei Golf Club
Kapolei Golf Club is what happens when someone says, “Let’s make a course that’s both beautiful AND trying to kill your scorecard.” Those palm-lined fairways are gorgeous, sure, but they’ve got more curves than a mountain road.
My tip? Watch out for the afternoon winds. They pick up faster than gossip at the 19th hole, and they’re about as predictable as my putting.
Location: 91-701 Farrington Hwy, Kapolei, HI 96707
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Championship
Pearl Country Club
Pearl Country Club offers views that’ll make you forget about your triple bogey on the last hole. And trust me, you might have a few of those – those elevation changes are trickier than they look on the scorecard.
The best time to play Pearl? Early morning, when the sun’s just coming up and the harbor is glassy smooth. Just don’t expect that calm to help your game any.
Location: 98-535 Kaonohi St, Aiea, HI 96701
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Resort
Ewa Beach Golf Club
Last but definitely not least, Ewa Beach Golf Club is where links golf meets paradise. The ocean breezes here aren’t just a factor – they’re more like an extra opponent. I’ve seen shots land 30 yards from where they should have, and that’s on a good day.
But here’s the thing about Ewa – it’s honest golf. No gimmicks, just you versus the wind versus the course. And sometimes the wind wins. Okay, often the wind wins.
Location: 91-050 Fort Weaver Rd, Ewa Beach, HI 96706
Amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, dining facilities, practice areas.
Course Type: Links
Final Thoughts
Here’s the thing about golf in Honolulu – it’s not just about the courses. It’s about playing a round while rainbows form over the mountains, or watching whales breach while you’re waiting to tee off (true story, happened at Waialae). It’s about trade winds that make club selection an art form and views that make you forget your score.
And yes, you might lose more balls than usual. Yes, you’ll probably shoot higher than your handicap. But trust me – you won’t care. Because playing golf in Hawaii isn’t about the score, it’s about the experience. Though if anyone finds my Pro V1s in the jungle at Ko’olau, I’d love them back.
Aloha and good golfing, Linda
P.S. Remember to bring extra sunscreen. And balls. Definitely extra balls.