HAWAI’I ISLAND:  Golf at the Edge of Creation

Hawai‘i Island—better known as The Big Island—is one of the most surreal destinations on Earth. Twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, yet home to just 120,000 residents, it offers a scale of natural wonder that feels almost impossible to comprehend. Whether golf is your primary pursuit or simply the anchor of a broader adventure, the Big Island delivers contrast, drama, and discovery at every turn.

A Living, Breathing Landscape

Along the island’s southeastern shore, Kilauea Volcano continues its slow, mesmerizing work, periodically adding new land to the island in a haunting display of nature’s creative power. At the island’s heart rise two colossal volcanic giants—Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa—each towering more than 13,680 feet above sea level.

Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth, stretches more than 32,000 feet from ocean floor to summit, making it taller than Mount Everest when measured from base to peak. Mauna Kea, meanwhile, is the tallest island-based mountain in the world.

Across the Big Island, micro-climates shift by the mile, and geological marvels appear around every bend. None is more compelling than Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a must-see destination that feels equal parts primal and otherworldly.

It is here—on an island that looks as if Heaven and Earth survived an epic collision—that some of the world’s most accomplished golf architects found their muse. Robert Trent Jones Sr. & Jr., Perry Dye, Dick Nugent, William Francis Bell, Robin Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, and design teams including Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay and Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish have all left indelible marks, creating courses bold enough to match the land itself.

“The Golf Capital of Hawai‘i”

Often called “The Golf Capital of Hawai‘i,” the Big Island lives up to the title. A glance at the HawaiiGolfDeals GOLFHAWAIICARD program only reinforces the claim. From elite resort layouts to the state’s finest independent course, golfers will be hard-pressed to find greater variety or value anywhere in the Pacific.

The island’s courses are exceptionally well-suited to traveling golfers, blending championship-caliber design with unforgettable scenery.

Resorts Along the Kohala Coast

For visiting golfers, the Kohala Coast—north of Kailua–Kona and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA)—is the clear epicenter of stay-and-play excellence. This sun-drenched stretch of coastline, extending roughly 6 to 24 miles north of KOA, hosts an extraordinary concentration of resorts.

Driving north, you’ll encounter Hualalai, Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea—four distinct resort destinations that collectively offer:

• 117 holes of golf

• Seven oceanfront hotels

• Two-dozen+ condominium & villa communities

• Dozens of dining options and ample shopping

All of it unfolds against dramatic, lava-strewn landscapes that feel unmistakably Big Island.

Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf stands apart as the island’s only 27-hole facility, offering unmatched flexibility and variety.

Beaches abound along the Kohala Coast, but Hapuna Beach State Park, just beyond Mauna Lani and before Mauna Kea, is widely regarded as the finest—an expansive crescent of white sand and turquoise water. Waikoloa’s two shopping centers—The Kings’ Shops and Queens’ MarketPlace—anchor the retail scene, while The Shops at Mauna Lani and the newer Waikoloa Plaza provide welcome alternatives.

A Gem Above the Coast

One of the Big Island’s greatest golf surprises sits high above the Kohala Coast, just 25 minutes from Waikoloa Beach Resort. Along the upper road lies Makani Golf Club, a Perry Dye design originally known as Big Island Country Club.

Arguably the finest independent, daily fee course in the state, Makani is a must-play. Its 18 distinctive holes include a thrilling island-green par-3 at the 17th, reminiscent of Pete Dye’s iconic creation at TPC Sawgrass. The finishing hole is widely regarded as Hawaii’s best, offering multiple strategic options and a truly dramatic close.

The Kona Golf Scene

South of Waikoloa, toward Kailua–Kona and Keauhou Bay, golfers will find Kona Country Club, originally designed by William Francis Bell. Originally known as the Ocean Course at Kona CC, it features a handful of oceanfront holes, generous fairways, and conditions that epitomize a classic resort experience—scenic, playable, and welcoming.

A Landscape in Transition

The Big Island’s golf landscape has evolved. The closure of Waimea Country Club in 2012, the shuttering of Kona Country Club’s Mountain Course in 2013, and the earlier loss of Sea Mountain Golf Course removed 54 holes of independent, daily-fee golf holes unlikely ever to be replaced.

Even so, no Hawaiian golf vacation is complete without meaningful time on the Big Island. To truly appreciate its scope and diversity, plan to play as many HawaiiGolfDeals GOLFHAWAIICARD courses as possible. A stay of 10 nights or more is highly recommended—anything less merely scratches the surface.

Hilo & Volcano Village

On the island’s eastern—or “wet”—side lies Hilo, Hawai‘i’s second-largest city. Golf options include Naniloa Country Club, a nostalgic 9-hole par-35 layout, and Hilo Municipal Golf Course, a modest 6,325-yard par-71. Neither alone justifies a dedicated golf pilgrimage.

Thirty-five minutes above Hilo sits Volcano Village and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Adjacent to the park is Volcano Golf & Country Club, an unremarkable course set within a fascinating micro-climate. While the golf itself is forgettable, the National Park is not. Experiencing active lava flows—best seen at night—often requires an overnight stay unless one is prepared for a long, late drive across Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.

It’s a Wrap

Years ago, I brought my ailing mother to the Big Island. As we drove through the stark lava fields from KOA along the Kohala Coast, she stared out the window in disbelief before finally asking, “We’re staying here for 10 nights?”

Ten days later, as our plane lifted off from Hilo Airport, she turned to me and said, “When are we coming back?”

That, in a nutshell, is the magic of the Big Island.