Island Hopping Golf: How to Play All 6 Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii is the only U.S. state where you can play golf on six different islands, each with its own personality, terrain, and microclimate. An island-hopping golf trip is the ultimate Hawaiian adventure — and with inter-island flights running daily, it's more doable than you think.
Oahu: The Gateway Island (2–3 Days)
Start where you land. Oahu has the most courses and the widest range of price points.
Must-play: Ko Olina Golf Club (resort luxury on the leeward coast) and Royal Hawaiian Golf Club (jungle golf in a volcanic crater).
Budget pick: Ewa Beach Golf Club offers solid municipal golf at a fraction of resort prices.
Stay: Ko Olina resort area for golf-focused trips; Waikiki for a mix of golf and nightlife.
Maui: The Tournament Island (2–3 Days)
Maui is home to Hawaii's most famous courses, including the PGA Tour venue at Kapalua.
Must-play: Kapalua Plantation Course (bucket-list views and championship design) and Wailea Gold Course (desert-style golf with ocean panoramas).
Budget pick: Maui Nui Golf Club in Kihei — affordable and well-maintained.
Stay: Wailea for south Maui courses; Kapalua for west Maui.
Big Island: The Volcanic Island (2–3 Days)
The Big Island offers the most dramatic landscapes in Hawaiian golf — black lava fields, rainforests, and Mauna Kea's snow-capped peak as your backdrop.
Must-play: Mauna Kea Golf Course (Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s masterpiece) and Mauna Lani South Course (lava tube golf at its finest).
Budget pick: Hilo Municipal Golf Course — a charming, affordable course on the rainy side.
Stay: Kohala Coast for the resort courses; Hilo for a local experience.
Kauai: The Garden Island (1–2 Days)
Kauai is lush, dramatic, and relatively uncrowded. The golf here feels like playing inside a nature documentary.
Must-play: Princeville Makai Golf Club (cliffside holes overlooking Hanalei Bay) and Poipu Bay Golf Course (former PGA Grand Slam venue).
Budget pick: Kukuiolono Golf Course in Kalaheo — 9 holes for under $20 with stunning views.
Stay: Princeville for the north shore; Poipu for the south.
Lanai: The Luxury Island (1 Day)
Lanai is Hawaii's most exclusive golf destination, with a single resort (Four Seasons) and one world-class course.
Must-play: Manele Golf Course — a Jack Nicklaus design perched on sea cliffs with humpback whale sightings in winter.
Getting there: Ferry from Maui (Lahaina Harbor) or short inter-island flight.
Molokai: The Quiet Island (1 Day)
Molokai is Hawaii's least-developed major island, and its single golf course reflects that laid-back spirit.
Must-play: Ironwood Hills Golf Course — a quirky, affordable 9-hole course with genuine local character. Don't expect manicured resort conditions; do expect an authentic Hawaiian experience.
Getting there: Short flight from Honolulu or Maui.
Planning Your Itinerary
| Island | Days | Courses | Budget (per round) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu | 2–3 | 2–3 | $60–$260 |
| Maui | 2–3 | 2–3 | $80–$350 |
| Big Island | 2–3 | 2–3 | $45–$295 |
| Kauai | 1–2 | 1–2 | $18–$280 |
| Lanai | 1 | 1 | $375+ |
| Molokai | 1 | 1 | $30 |
Total: 10–14 days for the full experience. Budget 2 weeks and you'll have time to enjoy the islands beyond the course.
Inter-island flights: Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Mokulele Airlines connect all major islands. Flights average $80–$150 each way and take 25–45 minutes.
Ready to start planning? Browse all courses by island on our course directory [blocked] and use the island map [blocked] to visualize your route.
Complete the HGT VIP Challenge by playing all islands and earn the exclusive HGT VIP Golf Hoodie!