Updated January 2nd, 2018.
It's a long trip from the east coast of the United States, but I've been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in Hawaii.
I have family on the North Shore, who I visit each holiday season, and I've played golf on every island.
As the PGA Tour kicks off its calendar year in the Aloha State, I shared my Top 5 courses to play in Hawaii on Golf Channel's Morning Drive.
Hawaii isn't a cheap golf destination by any stretch, but each island has at least one great bargain course. So below I've also shared my best value course on each island.
Ginella's Top 5 Golf Courses to play in Hawaii
Oahu
Big Island
Big Island
Lanai
Maui
Ginella's best value on each Hawaiian Island
Kauai: Wailua Municipal Golf Course
Oahu: Kahuku Golf Course
Maui: Kahili Golf Course
Big Island: Big Island Country Club
Lanai: Cavendish Golf Club
What's your favorite golf course in Hawaii? Let us know in the comments below or review it yourself in our course guide.
Thanks to you Matt I had a Top 5 day in my life taking the ferry over to Lanai and Playing 45 holes at Manele. Possibly the most underrated course in all of golf and views that match any course in the world.
Everyone should try the 9 hole Walter Nagorski golf course, run by U.S. Army. This little 9 holer will eat you up. Great rates and fun to play.
As a frequent visitor to Kauai, the Prince course was always our favorite, and definitely one of the best in Hawaii. Thankfully the development they closed the course for is not going forward and we may get the course back!! Wailua is a great choice for affordable golf. The course runs right along the ocean and the back nine is very special.
I've been to Hawaii twice and played on all islands except Oahu, therefore I cannot comment on the Palmer course. The golf is so spectacular that is almost impossible to select only five. I do agree that the Challenge at Manele was on my top five and way up there. I was surprised that Kauai courses did not make it. My favorite was Kauai Lagoons (now Ocean Course). Amazing ocean views and great layout. Also, I must mention the Prince Course, one of the most difficult course that I have ever played. As for the number one choice, I played Kapalua and would place that a bit down on the list.
Just got back from a months in Hawaii - 2 weeks on Maui and 2 on Oahu. Played Kahili, but price has gone up the past couple of years. Maui Nui and "The Puke" (Pukalani), at half the price of Kahili, are the best deals. On Oahu, the military courses are the best deals (if you can get on), Was lucky enough to play Kaneohe Klipper and Mamala Bay, which are tough to get on, but Navy Marine and Leilahua are both open to the public at great rates. But if you hunt around you can pick up some great deals. My new favorite is Royal Kunia, a good challenge and some good online deals.
Royal Hawaiian on Oahu is a unique experience. No ocean views, but instead you really feel like you are playing golf in the Jurassic Park mountains of Hawaii. Palmer course at Turtle Bay is fun, but the course doesn't have as much of a Hawaiian feel to it.
Kahili was not the best deal in November when I was there. The greens were not in that good of shape. Pukalani was the best deal and in the best shape. Next was Maui Nui which was also in good shape