Our Ultimate Guide to Golfing on the Big Island
Travelers from near and far can look forward to a well-deserved break on the Big Island of Hawaii any time life gets a little too busy and the need to relax and unwind for a while strikes. The Big Island is an ideal place to land for solo travelers, couples, friend groups, and families too excited to spend quality time together somewhere sunny, scenic, and inviting. Of course, it’s also an amazing place to find yourself if you’re a traveler who finds their vacation state of mind with most easily when a tee time or two is included on the itinerary. The following is your ultimate guide to golfing on the Big Island the next time you’re here, and excited to get out on the greens in style.
Our Ultimate Guide to Golfing on the Big Island
Whether you’re new to golf and excited to try the game for the first time, or you consider yourself a seasoned professional on the fairways, golfing on the Big Island is sure to be an endlessly inspiring experience! That’s because the Big Island enjoys fantastic weather year-round, giving golfers every reason to spend as much time as possible on the course, honing their short and long game skills alike. With plenty of sunshine and warm weather on your side, there’s truly no reason not to include as many games of golf into our itinerary as you’d like.
The Big Island of Hawaii is also home to incredibly dynamic terrain, making golf courses here one-of-a-kind stops to experience for yourself. Whether you’re on the hunt for a golf course with gorgeous ocean views included, lava rock infused into the challenging setup, or a golf course within easy reach of lush local rainforests, you won’t have to go far to find it here. The Big Island has also defined itself as a true haven of golf for those seeking out incredible course options without the larger crowds that are typically found across Maui and Oahu. Golf courses across the Big Island have a way of offering players a more relaxed and refreshing vibe while still leaning into those elevated standards of exclusivity and style that make a round memorable.
Play a Game at the Volcano Golf Course the Next Time You’re Here
For golf enthusiasts planning on spending some quality time on the Big Island this year in the name of vacation fun, a round of golf enjoyed at the Volcano Golf Course is an experience you simply won’t want to miss. You’ll find this one-of-a-kind course at 99-1621 Piimauna Drive. Upon arrival, athletes will be treated to time on a stunning 18-hole course that’s located at the vibrant rim of the active Kilauea volcanic crater! It’s hard to imagine anything more thrilling than a game hosted here at 4,000 feet above sea level, with amazing views to soak up at every turn.
Booking a tee time at the Volcano Golf Course is a truly unique experience for golfers of all skill levels. This par 72 course spans 6,547 yards total and puts players within easy reach of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, no matter when they happen to drop by. When you’re ready to book a tee time, we highly recommend doing so online, where special prices are in place and often significantly lower than walk-up prices offered throughout the week.
Because the Volcano Golf Course offers visitors such mesmerizing views to enjoy, it’s a popular place for locals and visitors alike to rent out for special events and milestone gatherings. If you’re looking to pair your game play with some serious celebrating during your next trip this way, consider the benefits of making this golf course your destination of choice!
Check Out the Kona Country Club Ocean Course
While views of volcanoes enjoyed from the golf course are sure to inspire, playing a round on the Big Island with stunning ocean views included is equally appealing. If you’re a golfer with an unwavering love for the water, we would recommend making your way to the Ocean Course at the Kona Country Club at least once while you’re here. You’ll find this gorgeous golf course located at 78-7000 Alii Drive in Kailua Kona, and as soon as you arrive, you’ll understand why golfers seek out this destination to pair a great game and spectacular scenery too.
The Ocean Course enjoys a prime place in Keauhou, no more than 6 miles from dynamic downtown Kona. This golf course has earned its reputation for excellence around its beautiful design that’s rivaled by the spectacular ocean views every step of the way. The Ocean Course is often praised for its high levels of hospitality among on-site staff, making it a place that’s easy and welcoming to return to time and again.
This par 72 course spans 6,748 yards, and once you’ve played a round in good company, you’re more than welcome to enjoy time on the driving range off-grass. There’s also a short game practice area that spans 80 yards, that you’ll want to be sure to check out when you’re hoping to get some quality bunker practice in. Afterward, make your way to the fully stocked pro shop, and you’ll find everything you need to upgrade your on-course apparel and accessories.
Make Time to Play the Mauna Lani Francis H. Ii Resort Courses
Your golf adventures on the Big Island should be simple to customize according to your preferences, style, and unique skill level. When you head over to the Mauna Lani Resort courses on the island, that’s exactly what you’ll find and more. Here, golfers can enjoy access to both the Francis H. Ii North and South golf courses, giving them a variety of options, challenges, and great views to enjoy during their day on the greens.
The north course is typically pointed to as a quintessential island golf experience thanks to its 18 holes designed over the top of a lava bed. The rolling terrain offers an inviting challenge for experienced golfers, while the great views are welcoming for golfers of all skill levels. This course is particularly unique thanks to the archaeological district that sits on its northern boundary. From time to time, you might spot feral goats making their way across the course—a sight that delights visitors and locals alike!
When you want to expand on your golfing adventures, consider booking a tee time at the South Course as well. This course is popular for its extremely playable layout that includes gentle greens and wide fairways. While the course still enjoys gorgeous black lava on either side, the surrounding mountains typically capture and keep guests’ attention during a visit. These courses can be accessed at 68-1310 Mauna Lani Drive, and you’ll want to be sure to have your tee time in place ahead of time by booking online.
Enjoy a Round at the Mauna Kea Golf Course
The Kohala Coast is always a captivating destination for travelers, and perhaps even more so when you make time to enjoy a round of golf on the Mauna Kea Golf Course during your next visit. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the Mauna Kea Golf Course is a challenging, yet endlessly fun and beautiful place to put your skills to work on the greens. Here, luxury and legacy have a seamless way of going hand-in-hand, and whether you’re dropping by for the ocean views or the meticulously maintained greens, you truly can’t go wrong by booking a tee time.
The Mauna Kea Golf Course is a par 72 course featuring 18 holes across 7,370 yards. A round of golf here is truly an exceptional experience, thanks to the panoramic Pacific Ocean views available to enjoy as you lean into the high levels of precision required to navigate this course successfully. The Mauna Kea Golf Course is consistently featured in the Golf Digest Top 100 list with good reason, thanks to the course’s unwaveringly strategic design, impeccable layout, and dramatic views too. When you visit the Mauna Kea Golf Course, you can enjoy time in the on-site clubhouse packed with resort services, or explore the pro shop at your leisure. They offer top-tier equipment rentals on-site as an added convenience, and the course is easy to reach at 62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive in Waimea.
Enjoy 27 Unique Holes at Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf
At Waikoloa Beach Resort, you can combine a comfortable stay with an unforgettable golf experience when you book a rental through Kona Coast Vacations. This stunning resort features three separate 9-hole courses—Beach Nine, Lakes Nine, and Kings’ Nine—each with well-designed holes and memorable views.
The Beach Nine is a par-35, 3281-yard loop designed with social golfing in mind. The front tees provide an easier challenge for new golfers as well as those who are just as interested in the experience as the game. More skilled players can tackle the course from the back tees for a true challenge.
The Lakes Nine is a resort-style experience that appropriately offers a number of small lakes as water hazards across its par-35, 3285-yard layout. In addition to the lakes, lava beds were incorporated into the design to give extra elevation changes—and they’re quite scenic as well!
The Kings’ Nine offers a par-36, 3552-yard Scottish links-style layout that will test your shot-making. Avoid the pot bunkers, lakes, and lava along the way before finishing on the picturesque par-5 9th with the clubhouse in the background.
There is a select group of KCV managed properties that offer significant discounts at this course.
Golf Trip Packing Tips for Your Big Island Stay
No matter what course or collection of courses you decide to enjoy during your golf-focused getaway to the Big Island, there are a few essentials you’re going to want to make sure you pack for the journey. We highly recommend making sure your suitcase includes a variety of lightweight polo shirts that are ideal for afternoons of golfing under the island sunshine. An extra pair of golf gloves or two can help you combat humidity, depending on the time of year you arrive, while sunscreen is a must when the Big Island is where you’re going to be teeing off this year. A travel golf bag makes it easier to move seamlessly between courses, while a reusable water bottle will keep you well hydrated on the fairways.
Book Your Unforgettable Big Island Getaway in Style
No matter when you make your way to the Big Island to enjoy a much-needed vacation, how long you stay, or how many others you’re traveling alongside, at Kona Coast Vacations, we have the property options available to help you take your trip to the next level of excellence. Our vacation rental options across the island are designed to inspire, keeping our guests close to places and experiences they can’t wait to discover while ensuring their home-away-from-home is packed with world-class amenities, comforts, and conveniences too. From small group retreats to sprawling ocean view estates, we’re here to help make sure you feel welcome upon arrival.
Reach out today to learn more about our property options near top golf courses on the island, as well as our rentals that are great to enjoy no matter what you’re here to check out. We can’t wait to see you in scenic and sunny Hawaii soon!