2025 Maui Golf Guide: Birdies in Paradise

Oahu may have more golf courses, but Maui’s are easier to get on and a lot less crowded. From one of the country’s first munis (Waiehu) to a reliable PGA tour stop (Kapalua Plantation), there’s something on Maui for every hacker, Spackler, and aspiring tour pro. Fore!

Here’s what you want to know about every golf course on Maui…

Maui Golf Public Course Highlights at a Glance

Course	Challenge Level	Views	Accessibility	Public/Private
Kapalua Plantation	Championship, PGA Tour host	Panoramic ocean, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i	Resort guests + public tee times	Resort Public
Kapalua Bay	Moderate, forgiving fairways	Oceanfront cliffs	Open to visitors	Resort Public
Wailea Gold	Toughest of Wailea trio	Haleakalā + ocean panoramas	Public tee times	Resort Public
Wailea Emerald	Scenic, mid-level play	Colorful landscaping + ocean	Public tee times	Resort Public
Wailea Blue	Classic resort course	Sweeping ocean + town views	Public tee times	Resort Public
King Kamehameha	Mid-high difficulty	Central valley + both coasts	Member-for-a-Day option	Semi-Private
Waiehu Muni	Moderate, can get very windy	Moloka‘i, ocean	Open to all	Public Muni
The Dunes at Maui Lani	Links-style winds, dune terrain	West Maui mountains	Open to all, affordable	Public
Maui Nui Golf Club	Fun, accessible layout	Haleakalā + Kihei coast	Known for deals + online booking	Public
Pukalani Country Club	Elevated, longer ball flight	Upcountry hills + island views	Open to all	Public
Maui Golf & Sports Park	Mini-golf for all!	Beautiful astro-turf and waterfalls	Open to all	Public

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1. Kapalua Plantation Course (Resort)

September 2025 Note: Kapalua’s golf courses are temporarily closed in an attempt to bring the grass back to life in time for the Sentry PGA event in January 2026. Gross public (and private) mismanagement of Maui’s plentiful water resources is to blame for the ongoing drama.

This is the big one. Kapalua’s Plantation Course is the one every armchair golf fan associates with Maui. It’s been the home of the PGA Tour’s “Tournament of Champions” January kick-off event since David Duval (cool shades and all) won it in 1999. Other past winners include many of the biggest names in golf: Woods, Furyk, Garcia, Els, Appleby, Singh, Stricker, the Johnsons (Dustin & Zach), Spieth, JT, Schauffele, Cam Smith, and Jon Rahm in 2023.

The pros go low here. The fairways are wide and there’s a slew of short par-4s. Cam Smith won it at 34 under par in 2022. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why he went to the Liv Tour. These PGA events are just too easy! In any event, playing here will set you back some drive time and quite a few clams. But if you want to walk in the footsteps of golf’s gods, there are few places more scenic than Kapalua to do it. 🦶

Course Architects: Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw (1991)
2000 Plantation Club Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761 | Rates: $459 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.7 ⭐️

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2. Kapalua Bay Course (Resort)

September 2025 Note: Kapalua’s golf courses are temporarily closed in an attempt to bring the grass back to life in time for the Sentry PGA event in January 2026. Gross public (and private) mismanagement of Maui’s plentiful water resources is to blame for the ongoing drama.

Widely regarded as less challenging and more prone to trade winds than the Plantation Course, the Bay Course at Kapalua still maintains its own personality. The front nine in particular is short and punchy with holes four and five fronting the ocean in spectacular fashion. The back nine plays a bit longer while all 18 greens roll as true as can be. If you’ve got the time and bank to tee it up at Kapalua twice, consider warming up on the Bay Course a day or two before playing the main event. 🤙

Course Architects: Arnold Palmer & Francis Duane (1975)
2000 Plantation Club Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761 | Rates: $279 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.7 ⭐️

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3. Kaanapali Golf Course – Royal Course (Resort)

The Royal Kaanapali Golf Course was one of the first courses constructed in the entire state of Hawaii and it’s starting to show its age. Condo towers, homes, jogging paths, and other assorted amenities dot the surrounding landscape in a way that modern course designers are careful to avoid. This is resort golf as it used to be. That said, the fairways are generous and usually well-maintained, while smartly placed hazards and elevated greens tend to reward precision over brawn. Casual golfers are more likely to score well here as most mistakes are far less penal than at other courses in Kapalua and Wailea.

West Maui Mountain is your constant companion throughout the round, while the Pacific Ocean also makes a few choice cameos. Our recommendation is to get out early ahead of the crowds as pace of play can sometimes be an issue. Roy’s restaurant in the clubhouse is a great spot to grab a high-end lunch or a fancy drink after your round. 🍹

Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1962)
2290 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761 | Rates: $228 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.5 ⭐️

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4. Kaanapali Golf Course – Kai Course (Resort)

The Kai Course plays like a shorter younger sibling to the Royal course. It’s similar in style and conditioning, and runs mostly on the other side of the highway, closer to the mountains than the ocean. Originally an executive course, it was renovated in 2005 and boasts distant views of Lanai from many holes.

This is by no means a bucket list golfing experience, but it’s worth checking out if you’re staying close by in Kaanapali or just want a more laid back way to spend an afternoon. 🌴

Course Architect: Arthur Jack Snyder (1976)
2290 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761 | Rates: $165 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.5 ⭐️

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5. Wailea Golf Club – Gold Course (Resort)

Spend any real time on Maui and it won’t take you long to figure out that Wailea is in many ways the true epicenter of golf on the island. With three unique and varied courses, you can play here all week and never get bored. Gold is the flagship course in Wailea and caters to more serious golfers. Dramatic elevation changes, tricky greens, meticulous conditioning, and stunning views of Kaho’olawe and Haleakala make the Gold course a must-play destination.

Warm up on the scenic driving range and be sure to get some practice reading the grain on the putting green before teeing off. It’ll make a big difference on those crucial lag putts. 🥇

Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1994)
100 Wailea Golf Club Dr, Wailea, HI 96753 | Rates: $299 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.6 ⭐️

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6. Wailea Golf Club – Emerald Course (Resort)

While accomplished golfers generally prefer the Gold Course, everyone else tends to find Emerald suits their eye the best. It’s a bit easier with kinder bunker placements off the tee and more gently sloped greens. Yardage clocks in only about 200 yards shorter than Gold overall, but that’s enough difference to yield some shorter irons into the greens and hopefully some good looks at birdie.

The Emerald course’s main claim to fame though, is its spectacular views. Meticulous landscaping, and deep black lava flows frame sparkling blue ocean vistas from many holes. This is tropical resort golf at its finest with plenty of room off the tee, fair greens, and a spectacular setting. 🏌️

Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1994)
100 Wailea Golf Club Dr, Wailea, HI 96753 | Rates: $299 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.8 ⭐️

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7. Wailea Golf Club – Blue Course (Resort)

Golf purists will appreciate Wailea Blue for its restraint and more classic styling. For 22 years, this was the only Wailea course and it shows its age, for better and worse. There’s less drama off the tee with fewer elevation changes than Gold and Emerald, which means you’ll have mostly flat lies and fewer forced carries to negotiate. The ocean and mountain views are impressive by any measure but don’t quite level up against the Emerald course.

More than anything, with Wailea Blue what you see is what you get. It’s a fair layout, it’s obvious where to hit your tee shots, and the greens usually roll true. I love playing Wailea Blue because my final score nearly always aligns with how well I actually struck the ball. No surprises here.

It’s also right around the corner from our Grand Champions vacation rental, so it’s got that going for it…which is nice. 😎

Course Architect: Arthur Jack Snyder (1972)
100 Wailea Ike Dr, Wailea, HI 96753 | Rates: $240 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.5 ⭐️

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8. Maui Nui Golf Club (Public)

Maui Nui has been reborn twice over the years. What was originally known as Silversword was renamed Elleair Maui in 1987, before arising yet again as Maui Nui in 2014 after an ownership change. Whatever you call it, this relatively flat course in Kihei bills itself as “Maui’s most fun and affordable golf course,” and it would most certainly be true if not for Pukalani Country Club. They’re both fun and they’re both affordable, so we recommend playing each in turn and then deciding for yourself.

As for playability, course conditions can be highly variable and its simply not maintained to the high standards of the resort courses on the island. But then it also doesn’t cost $250+ to play a round of golf here so that’s a big plus. The views are still spectacular and better golfers are likely to score well here…assuming the greens are rolling true enough. 🌋

Course Architects: Bob Baldock (1970) & Bill Newis (1987)
470 Lipoa Pkwy, Kihei, HI 96753 | Rates: $65 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.2 ⭐️

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9. King Kamehameha Golf Club (Semi-Private)

King Kamehameha is ostensibly a private club, with a Frank Lloyd Wright designed clubhouse to boot. But if you plan in advance, you can avail yourself of their “Guest for a Day” program and walk on like you own the place. The most important rule is that you have to request a tee time at least 30 days out. It pays to read the fine print!

In return for your diligent advance planning, you’re rewarded with a sometimes challenging and always scenic layout tucked into the eastern slope of the West Maui Mountains. With no condos, houses, or resorts for miles in all directions, King Kamehameha feels like a true escape. Just don’t let the tiered greens, water features, and dead-on views of Haleakala knock you off your game. 👑

Course Architect: Ted Robinson Sr. (1991)
2500 HI-30, Wailuku, HI 96793 | Rates: $279 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.6 ⭐️

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10. The Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course (Public)

This track is billed as “the only links style course on Maui,” and we see no reason to dispute this claim. “Hidden gem,” and “stunning West Maui Mountain views,” are also apt descriptors, especially in winter when the land is lush and the mountain is out in full force. The origin story here is that they took pains to move as little earth as possible when developing the course. It sits light on the land and follows the natural contours of ancient lava flows that evolved into subtle dunes over the eons.

The Dunes is a unique golf course, a great value, and is definitely worth checking out if you’re on-island for any real length of time. Just remember to bring your A-game with the putter and expect some real testers on the undulating greens. At the end of the day, if The Dunes is good enough to host 2023 US Open qualifying, it’s good enough for me on a random Thursday afternoon. 🏝

Course Architect: Robin Nelson (1999)
1333 Maui Lani Pkwy, Kahului, HI 96732 | Rates: $110 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.4 ⭐️

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11. Pukalani Country Club (Public)

Don’t let the “country club” in the name scare you away. This is perhaps the best golf value on the entire island and it’s absolutely open to the public. Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala at 1,100 foot elevation, your irons will carry a wee bit further than they do down in Wailea. Wide fairways and majestic Cook pines frame distant ocean and mountain views, while the unusual par-3 third hole can be played to either of two different greens. Jennifer Mario of GolfAdvisor calls Pukalani Country Club, “a rare great deal for golfers on Maui.”

There’s a scenic driving range, putting green, and practice area, but indoor facilities are minimal as the original clubhouse burned down years ago. But who cares? You’re here to play golf not get a massage, right? ⛳️

Course Architect: Bob Baldock (1980)
360 Pukalani St, Makawao | Rates: $99 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.5 ⭐️

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12. Waiehu Muni Golf Course (Public)

The only muni on Maui and it still scores 4.5 stars on Google reviews! Take that with a grain of (sea) salt. This ain’t Kapalua but where else in Hawaii can you walk and enjoy ocean views all day long for under 75 bucks? A few holes on the front nine nestle up against the coastline while the back nine winds its way inland closer to the mountains. Greens are often in fantastic shape, especially for a muni. It’s a tad short at 6,300 yards but who’s counting?

You’ll see a good mix of tourists-in-the-know and locals teeing it up at Waiehu. If you’re maxed out on resort golf and ready to switch it up, this is the place to do it. Call 7AM or later 48 hours in advance to book. ☎️

200 Halewaiu Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793 | Rates: $65 | Tee Times | Reviews – 4.5 ⭐️

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13. Maui Country Club (Private)

This relatively short and straight-forward 9-hole private golf course is one of very few on Maui’s North Shore. But don’t let the card fool you. When the wind picks up, as it often does on this part of the island, club selection can be quite challenging. Did you bring your Texas wedge to Maui?

If you have a local connection who can get you onto the course, this is a great option for a quick 9 holes in the early AM. You’ll zoom around with plenty of time left over for a fancy breakfast in the clubhouse. 🍳

Course Architects: Alex Bell & William McKewan
48 Nonohe Pl, Paia, HI 96779 | Members-Only | Reviews – 4.4 ⭐️

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14. Makena Golf Course (Private)

As much as I’d love to tell you all about the “Augusta of Hawaii,” I can’t seem to figure out how to get myself on this golf course. Maybe a big shot at Discovery Land Company will read this and remedy this ongoing tragedy. I’m ready to tee it up anytime! 🔒

Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1993)
5415 Makena Alanui Dr, Makena, HI 96753 | Members-Only | Reviews – 4.6 ⭐️

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15. Maui Golf & Sports Park (Mini-Golf)

Anyone who’s been to Maui with kids has probably checked this place out. With 36 holes of mini-golf, fantastic tropical landscaping, a trampoline swing, climbing wall, and super-soaker bumper boats, it’s a must-do family activity. Set aside a couple of hours, avail yourself of the hit-or-miss food trucks in the parking lot, and expect plenty of 3 and 4-putts! 🌺

80 Maalaea Rd, Wailuku, HI 96793 | Rates: $20 | Reviews – 4.4 ⭐️

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FAQ: Maui Golf Guide

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That’s your Maui golf round up for 2025. Have fun and we’ll see you on the first tee!