Due to extraordinarily high costs, limited golf availability, and luxury-only lodging, Lanai is not a practical destination for most golf travelers. Instead, we strongly recommend considering a Big Island golf vacation package, where championship golf, resort options, dining, and overall value are abundant.

That said, if you’re looking for an honest overview of golf on Lanai, you’ve come to the right place.

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An Overview of the Island of Lanai

First discovered by Captain Cook’s crew in 1779, Lanai is often referred to as Hawaii’s most exclusive island. It is the sixth largest Hawaiian island, both in land area and population, and home to roughly 3,000 residents, most of whom live in Lanai City (a charming little town, despite the grand name).

In the late 1980s, Lanai reinvented itself as a luxury retreat for affluent travelers. Today, the island is largely owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who continues to reshape Lanai into a highly curated, ultra-exclusive destination.

Despite this transformation, Lanai has retained some small-island charm. Lanai City’s town square still hosts a Saturday morning farmers market, along with a handful of boutiques, galleries, food markets, and casual eateries (many open only for breakfast and lunch).

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The Cost of Golf on Lanai

How Many Golf Courses Are on Lanai?

Currently, only one resort golf course on Lanai is open and playable:

• The Challenge at Manele Golf Course

  • • Designed by Jack Nicklaus

    • Green fees: $550 per round

    • Cliffside holes overlooking the Pacific Ocean

    • Warm, dry conditions year-round

The former Experience at Koele Golf Course is closed indefinitely. While there has been discussion about reopening it with a Jack Nicklaus Golf Designs redesign, no reopening date has been announced, and we have serious reservations about whether it will ever actually happen.

With just 18 holes available on the entire island, golfers must decide whether the experience justifies the premium price.

Caveat:  Lanai does have  a nine-hole, 3,071-yd. course, known as Cavendish Golf Course, which dates back to 1947 and the late plantation era. It’s still there, but few visitors seek out the stealth layout that was designed for Dole employees by the island’s maintenance director, Edwin Cavendish. There is no clubhouse and no one to call. Play is via the “honor” system with a contribution to the honor box. No carts or club rentals. Walk and carry it is.

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Lanai Golf Resorts & Lodging Costs

Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay

When Four Seasons is involved, luxury and service are a given — but so are sky-high prices.

• Room rates start at approximately $1,350 per night, plus taxes and resort fees

• Dining costs are similarly elevated

• Golf access is typically limited to resort guests

Sensei Lanai – A Four Seasons Resort

Formerly known as The Lodge at Koele, Sensei Lanai reopened in January 2020 after a multi-year closure.

• Nightly rates range from several thousand dollars per night

• Focuses on wellness, not golf

• Golf access remains limited to the Challenge at Manele (18 holes)

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Getting to Lanai: Limited & Costly

Traveling to Lanai presents its own challenges:

• Very limited air service

• Mostly requires flying through Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

• Inter-island flights and ground transportation for two people can easily exceed $700 round-trip

• Rental cars and taxis are limited and expensive

Between airfare, lodging, dining, and golf fees, the total cost of a Lanai golf vacation can be staggering.

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Is a Lanai Golf Vacation Worth It?

With:

• Only one playable resort golf course

• $550 green fees

• Luxury-only lodging

• Limited access and transportation

• No confirmed plans for additional golf holes

…the answer for most golfers is no.

Unfortunately — as we mentioned at the outset — we can’t help (nor can most of the travel industry) with Lanai golf vacation packages. The economics simply don’t work for the majority of travelers.

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A Better Alternative:  Big Island Golf Vacation Packages

If you’re looking for the best golf vacation in Hawaii, we strongly recommend Hawaii’s Big Island — widely regarded as The Golf Capital of Hawaii.

Why Choose the Big Island for Your Golf Vacation?

• ✅ Nine accessible golf courses on the Kona side

• ✅ Wide range of luxury, premium, & deluxe vacation rentals

• ✅ Multiple golf resort communities

• ✅ Better availability, flexibility, and pricing

• ✅ World-class dining, beaches, and off-course activities

Big Island golf vacations deliver real value, variety, and unforgettable golf experiences — without requiring a second mortgage.

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Final Word

Lanai is beautiful, exclusive, and undeniably unique — but for golfers, it’s simply too expensive and too limited to recommend.

If your goal is a memorable Hawaii golf vacation, The Big Island is the clear winner.