Golf courses in Hawaii fall into two very different price worlds. On one side are the marquee resort layouts on Maui, Kauai, the Big Island and Oahu, where a visitor’s 18-hole round commonly costs $250 to $550. On the other are city and county courses, where a registered Oahu resident can still play 18 holes for roughly the price of a takeout lunch.
This guide compares those worlds side by side. It covers the headline resort courses (Kapalua Plantation, Wailea, Mauna Kea, Princeville Makai and Ko Olina), Honolulu’s municipal system with its resident and nonresident rates, and neighbor-island county courses. It also covers twilight pricing, club rental costs, booking windows, and how trade winds and windward-versus-leeward rainfall shape play month by month.
The figures below come from published rate cards, county fee schedules and climate normals as of 2026. Resort courses use dynamic pricing, so a quoted range shows what visitors usually pay, not a fixed price. Anyone planning around a specific date should confirm the rate directly with the course before booking flights or lodging.
How golf in Hawaii is priced: three tiers
Hawaii golf pricing makes more sense once courses are sorted into tiers. The tier decides the green fee, and it also decides who gets discounts, how early tee times open and whether a cart is included.
Resort courses belong to large hotel or master-planned developments. They charge visitors the most, give hotel guests a modest break, and offer kamaʻāina (Hawaii resident) rates that can be 40% to 60% below the visitor price. Carts, range balls and sometimes bottled water are usually included.
Daily-fee and semi-private courses sit in the middle. Examples include Oahu’s Hawaii Prince, Kapolei and Waikele, and Maui’s Dunes at Maui Lani. Municipal and county courses are owned by local government. Resident rates are set by ordinance, and visitors pay a higher but still modest nonresident rate.
| Tier | Typical visitor 18-hole fee | Typical resident fee | Cart included? | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marquee resort | $275–$550 | $125–$250 | Yes | Kapalua Plantation, Wailea Gold, Mauna Kea, Princeville Makai |
| Upper-mid resort | $180–$300 | $90–$160 | Yes | Ko Olina, Kaanapali, Waikoloa, Poipu Bay |
| Daily-fee / semi-private | $110–$200 | $60–$110 | Usually | Kapolei, Hawaii Prince, Dunes at Maui Lani |
| Municipal / county | $55–$85 | $15–$35 | Extra cost | Ala Wai, Pali, Wailua, Waiehu, Hilo Municipal |
The gap between the top and bottom rows is the main budgeting fact for a golf trip. Two resort rounds for a couple can cost more than $1,000 before tips and rentals. A week of municipal golf for the same couple might come in under $700.
Marquee resort courses compared
Five resort courses come up again and again in Hawaii golf planning. Each one trades on a different strength: tour history, ocean holes, terrain or easy access from the airport.
Kapalua Plantation Course (Maui)
The Plantation Course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and opened in 1991. It is a par 73 that stretches to roughly 7,596 yards across steep West Maui slopes. For decades it hosted the PGA Tour’s January season opener, which gave its sweeping 18th hole wide television exposure.
Visitor rates usually run from about $395 to $550 depending on season and time of day, which puts it among the most expensive public rounds in the state. Water supply in West Maui has become a real constraint: drought and turf-condition concerns led to the cancellation of the January 2026 tour event. Course conditions should be checked before booking.
The sister Bay Course, an Arnold Palmer design from 1975, is gentler and usually cheaper, with visitor rates commonly between $250 and $330.
Wailea Golf Club (Maui)
Wailea, on Maui’s dry south shore, runs the Gold and Emerald courses (Robert Trent Jones Jr., 1994) and the older Blue Course (1972). Visitor rates usually fall between $220 and $340, and the Blue Course is typically the lowest-priced of the three.
The south shore gets only about 12 to 15 inches of rain a year, so Wailea rarely loses a round to weather. Afternoon winds still pick up noticeably. Households weighing condo stays along the fairways can compare options in the site’s guide to Wailea golf resort lodging with Blue Course fairway views.
Mauna Kea Golf Course (Big Island)
Robert Trent Jones Sr. built Mauna Kea in 1964 on raw Kohala Coast lava. Rees Jones renovated it in 2008. Its par-3 third hole, which plays across a Pacific inlet, is one of the most photographed golf holes in the country.
Visitor fees commonly run $275 to $350, with lower rates for guests of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and the sister Hapuna course. The Kohala Coast averages under 10 inches of rain a year, so this is among the most weather-reliable resort golf in Hawaii.
Princeville Makai Golf Club (Kauai)
Makai opened in 1971 as Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s first solo design and was fully renovated in 2010. It sits on bluffs above Hanalei Bay on Kauai’s north shore, with mountain backdrops that few other courses can match.
Visitor rates generally fall between $260 and $340. The trade-off is rain. Princeville is on the windward side and gets roughly 80 inches a year, much of it from November through March. Rounds are often played between passing showers.
Ko Olina Golf Club (Oahu)
Ko Olina, a Ted Robinson design from 1990, sits about 17 miles west of Honolulu’s airport on Oahu’s leeward coast. It hosted the LPGA’s Lotte Championship for several seasons, and its water features and waterfalls make it the most resort-like round on Oahu.
Visitor rates typically run $200 to $270, with Oahu-resident rates far lower. For travelers based in Waikiki, the 25-mile drive can take 40 to 60 minutes in weekday traffic.
| Course | Island | Opened | Visitor fee range | Annual rainfall (approx.) | Drive from main airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kapalua Plantation | Maui | 1991 | $395–$550 | 30–40 in | 36 miles, ~60 min from OGG |
| Wailea Gold/Emerald | Maui | 1994 | $240–$340 | 12–15 in | 17 miles, ~30 min from OGG |
| Mauna Kea | Big Island | 1964 | $275–$350 | Under 10 in | 30 miles, ~40 min from KOA |
| Princeville Makai | Kauai | 1971 | $260–$340 | ~80 in | 28 miles, ~50 min from LIH |
| Ko Olina | Oahu | 1990 | $200–$270 | ~20 in | 17 miles, ~30 min from HNL |
Municipal and county courses: where residents play
Hawaii’s public courses carry most of the state’s everyday golf. For residents they work much like a public utility. For visitors they are an affordable way to play real local golf, though tee times can be very hard to get.
Honolulu’s city courses
The City and County of Honolulu runs six courses through its Department of Enterprise Services: Ala Wai, Pali, Ted Makalena, West Loch, Ewa Villages and the 9-hole Kahuku course. Ala Wai, on the edge of Waikiki, is often described as one of the busiest golf courses in the United States.
Fees use two tiers. Oahu residents who register for a city golf identification card pay the resident rate. Everyone else pays the nonresident rate, which is several times higher. Cart fees are separate and charged per rider. The current schedule is published on the City and County of Honolulu website.
| Honolulu municipal course | Holes | Resident 18-hole (approx.) | Nonresident 18-hole (approx.) | Location / climate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ala Wai | 18 | $24–$32 | $66–$80 | Waikiki edge, leeward, dry |
| Pali | 18 | $24–$32 | $66–$80 | Kaneohe, windward, frequent showers |
| Ted Makalena | 18 | $24–$32 | $66–$80 | Waipahu, central-leeward, flat |
| West Loch | 18 | $24–$32 | $66–$80 | Ewa Beach, leeward, windy |
| Ewa Villages | 18 | $24–$32 | $66–$80 | Ewa, leeward, hot and dry |
| Kahuku | 9 | $10–$16 | $30–$40 | North Shore, walking only, rustic |
Exact amounts change when the City Council amends the fee ordinance. Weekend and holiday rounds usually cost a few dollars more than weekday rounds. Senior and junior resident rates are lower still.
Neighbor-island county courses
Each neighbor-island county runs at least one public course:
- Wailua Municipal (Kauai): an oceanfront layout near Lihue, with visitor fees around $60–$75.
- Waiehu Municipal (Maui): windy windward holes near Wailuku, visitor rates typically $65–$80.
- Hilo Municipal (Big Island): a lush, frequently wet course with low resident rates and modest visitor fees.
Hawaii County publishes its course information on the county’s official site. Wailua is the standout for visitors on a budget, since its ocean holes compete visually with resort courses that cost four times as much.
Twilight discounts, club rentals and the costs that add up
The posted green fee is only part of the cost of a Hawaii round. Twilight timing, rented clubs, range sessions and transport all change the final number.
Twilight and afternoon rates
Most resort courses cut prices after a set time, usually between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Discounts typically run 20% to 45% off the morning rate. At a course charging $340 in the morning, a 1:30 p.m. tee time might cost $210 to $240.
The catch is daylight. Hawaii does not observe daylight saving time. Honolulu sunsets fall around 7:15 p.m. in June but around 5:50 p.m. in late November. A resort round of about 4.5 hours that starts at 2:00 p.m. in December may run out of light before the 18th green.
Club rental and other add-ons
| Item | Resort course cost | Municipal / budget option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium club rental (18 holes) | $75–$95 | $35–$50 | Current-model sets at resort pro shops |
| Standard club rental | $55–$70 | $25–$40 | Older sets, sometimes limited lefty stock |
| Off-site rental, multi-day | $30–$45 per day | Same | Delivered sets from independent shops |
| Checked golf bag on airline | $35–$45 each way | Same | Typically priced as a standard checked bag |
| Range balls | Often included | $5–$12 per bucket | Resorts bundle range access with the round |
| Cart fee | Included | $10–$24 per rider | City courses charge carts separately |
For a trip with three or more rounds, the math usually favors bringing clubs. A golfer who rents premium sets for four rounds at $85 each spends $340. Checking a bag both ways costs roughly $70 to $90. A two-round trip is closer to a toss-up.
Players should also budget for golf balls. Ocean holes, lava rock and kiawe thickets eat them. Pro-shop prices at resorts often run $60 to $70 per dozen for premium balls.
Booking windows and tee-time strategy
When tee times open depends heavily on the tier. Resort courses release times well ahead and reward hotel guests with earlier access. City courses run short, competitive windows built around residents.
- Resort courses, public booking: commonly 30 to 60 days ahead through the course website or phone.
- Resort hotel guests: often 60 to 90 days ahead, sometimes bundled with lodging.
- Third-party booking sites: usually 7 to 14 days out, with occasional hot-deal pricing.
- Honolulu city courses: short rolling windows, historically about three days, with registered residents prioritized.
- Neighbor-island county courses: phone or online booking, typically a few days to one week ahead.
Peak demand runs from mid-December through March, when mainland and Canadian golfers arrive in the largest numbers. Morning slots at Kapalua, Wailea and the Kohala Coast courses can fill weeks ahead during the holidays. Late April through early June and September through mid-October usually bring the softest pricing.
A practical sequence for a golf-focused trip:
- Pick the island and the must-play course first.
- Book that tee time as soon as the window opens.
- Book lodging and car after the anchor round is confirmed.
- Fill remaining days with twilight or mid-tier rounds closer to arrival.
Visitors should not plan a trip around a city-course tee time on Oahu. Nonresident access exists, but morning times are scarce and the booking system favors locals.
Trade winds, leeward vs windward rain and play by month
Weather on a Hawaii golf course is less about temperature, which barely moves, and more about wind and which side of the island the course sits on.
Trade winds
Northeast trade winds blow on most days from roughly May through September, often at 10 to 20 mph with gusts above 25 mph. From October through April they are less steady. Calm spells and occasional southerly “Kona” winds bring humid, hazy conditions and rain to normally dry leeward coasts.
Afternoon trades strengthen on many courses, especially Kapalua, Waiehu, West Loch and the Kohala Coast. That is one reason resort courses can discount afternoon tee times: a 2:00 p.m. round in July can play a club or two longer into the wind than the same hole at 7:30 a.m.
Leeward vs windward
Windward coasts face the trades and catch rain as moist air rises over the mountains. Leeward coasts sit in the rain shadow. The difference can be 10 times or more over just a few miles. The site’s breakdown of windward vs leeward rain and sun in Hawaii maps these zones island by island.
For golf, leeward courses (Wailea, the Kohala Coast, Ko Olina, Ewa and Poipu on Kauai) offer the most dependable dry rounds. Windward and north-shore courses (Princeville, Pali, Hilo Municipal) are greener and often more scenic, but brief showers are routine, especially in winter.
| Month | Honolulu avg high (°F) | Honolulu avg rain (in) | Approx. sunset | Golf conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80 | 2.3 | 6:10 p.m. | Peak demand; windward showers common |
| February | 80 | 2.0 | 6:30 p.m. | Peak pricing; occasional Kona wind days |
| March | 81 | 2.0 | 6:45 p.m. | Spring break crowds; drying trend begins |
| April | 83 | 0.6 | 6:50 p.m. | Shoulder pricing begins after Easter |
| May | 85 | 0.6 | 7:05 p.m. | Steady trades, firm fairways, good value |
| June | 87 | 0.3 | 7:15 p.m. | Longest twilight window of the year |
| July | 88 | 0.5 | 7:15 p.m. | Family travel peak; breezy afternoons |
| August | 89 | 0.5 | 7:00 p.m. | Hottest stretch; drought stress on turf |
| September | 89 | 0.7 | 6:35 p.m. | Low crowds; aeration schedules common |
| October | 87 | 1.6 | 6:10 p.m. | Softest pricing; wet season begins late month |
| November | 84 | 2.4 | 5:50 p.m. | Short twilight; windward rain rises |
| December | 81 | 3.0 | 5:55 p.m. | Holiday peak from mid-month; book early |
Honolulu’s airport figures reflect a dry leeward site. Windward Kaneohe gets several times as much rain, and Hilo averages more than 120 inches a year. Golfers should also watch for maintenance closures. Many resort courses aerate greens for one to two weeks in late spring or early fall, and some post reduced rates during recovery.
Which island suits a golf-focused trip
No single island wins on every measure. The right choice depends on whether the priority is marquee courses, weather reliability, budget or variety within a short drive.
| Island | Public-access courses (approx.) | Visitor resort range | Weather reliability | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maui | ~12 | $200–$550 | High in Wailea, moderate in Kapalua | Bucket-list rounds plus beach resorts |
| Big Island | ~15 | $180–$350 | Very high on Kohala Coast | Multiple resort rounds, dry weather |
| Oahu | ~30 | $150–$300 | High on leeward side | Volume, value, city amenities |
| Kauai | ~8 | $180–$340 | Moderate; north shore wet in winter | Scenery and a slower pace |
| Lanai | 1 | $400+ | High | One exclusive round, high budget |
Big Island: the strongest pure-golf base
The Kohala Coast puts Mauna Kea, Hapuna, the two Mauna Lani courses, and Waikoloa’s Beach and Kings’ courses within about 20 miles of each other on some of the driest land in the state. A golfer can play four different resort courses in four days without a long drive. Timing advice is in the site’s guide to the best time to visit the Big Island.
Maui: the marquee names
Maui offers Kapalua’s tour pedigree and Wailea’s three-course complex, with Kaanapali’s Royal and Kai courses in between. The drawback is distance. Kapalua and Wailea are roughly 35 miles and 60 to 75 minutes apart, so golfers often split their stay between West and South Maui.
Oahu: volume and value
Oahu has the most courses and the widest price range. Turtle Bay’s Palmer and Fazio courses, Ko Olina, Kapolei and Hawaii Prince sit alongside the city system. Golfers who also want restaurants and nightlife may find the trade-offs in Oahu vs Kauai useful.
Kauai: scenery over volume
Kauai pairs Princeville Makai on the wet north shore with Poipu Bay and the Hokuala Ocean Course on the drier south and east sides. Wailua Municipal adds a low-cost oceanfront option. First-time visitors torn between islands can compare Maui vs Kauai for a first trip.
Lodging and rental cars for a golf trip
Golf trips in Hawaii nearly always need a rental car. Resort shuttles rarely link courses at competing properties, and rideshare from the Kohala Coast or Kapalua is limited and expensive. A golf bag also needs a mid-size or larger trunk, which narrows the cheapest economy options.
Daily rates typically run $55 to $110 depending on island and season, with holiday weeks higher. The site’s guide to Hawaii rental car prices by island and airport breaks down when to book. Oahu golfers staying in Waikiki should also factor in overnight parking, covered in the guide to Waikiki public parking structures.
For lodging, the choice is usually between a resort hotel that offers guest golf rates and a condo near the fairways. Hotel guest discounts of $30 to $75 per round can offset part of a higher nightly rate over a multi-round stay. The site’s comparison of a Hawaii vacation rental vs a hotel covers the broader trade-offs.
Taxes affect both choices. The state transient accommodations tax rose to 11% on January 1, 2026, and county surcharges and general excise tax come on top. Many resorts also add daily resort fees. The full stack is explained in Hawaii hotel taxes and resort fees, with official rates posted by the Hawaii Department of Taxation.
Golf for households relocating to Hawaii
For mainland households considering a move, golf costs look very different once residency is established. Kamaʻāina rates, city golf cards and resident memberships change the math.
An avid Oahu golfer who plays eight municipal rounds a month at about $30 each, including a shared cart, spends roughly $240 a month. The same eight rounds at nonresident rates would top $600. Switching to kamaʻāina resort rates at $120 to $160 per round puts a monthly golf budget in the $1,000 to $1,300 range.
Residency proof matters. Honolulu’s city golf card generally requires a Hawaii driver’s license or state ID showing an Oahu address. Resort kamaʻāina rates typically require the same. New arrivals should get a Hawaii license early, which also affects Hawaii car insurance rates.
Golf is one line in a cost of living that runs well above the mainland average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Honolulu consumer price index tracks how local prices are changing, and housing remains the largest budget item. Hawaii’s population of roughly 1.4 million, per U.S. Census QuickFacts, is concentrated on Oahu, which is why city tee times are so contested.
Residents also tend to favor early-morning or weekday rounds, avoid peak holiday weeks at resort courses, and follow course news through local outlets such as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, which reports on city course fee changes and renovation closures.
Etiquette, pace and course rules visitors should know
Hawaii courses follow mainland etiquette with a few local differences. Many resort courses require collared shirts and soft spikes, and some ban denim. City courses are more relaxed but enforce pace of play, because tee sheets are packed from dawn.
- Lava rock areas are often marked as penalty areas; local rules vary by course.
- Many resorts ask golfers to stay off coastal cultural sites and protected shoreline.
- Sunscreen and water matter; summer heat index can exceed 90°F on leeward courses.
- Resort pace targets are usually 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
- Some resorts send players off split tees, so arriving 30 minutes early is standard.
Golf trips also pair well with other activities. Morning tee times leave afternoons free for the water, and calm-water timing by island is covered in the site’s guide to the best time to snorkel in Hawaii. General visitor information is available from the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s official site.
Sample budgets for a five-round golf week
The table below shows how course choice changes the total for one golfer over five rounds. Lodging and flights are not included. Figures use midpoint rates from the ranges above.
| Trip style | Course mix | Green fees (5 rounds) | Club rental or bag fees | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucket-list Maui | Kapalua Plantation, Bay, Wailea Gold, Emerald, Blue | $1,650 | $80 (own clubs) | $1,730 |
| Kohala Coast circuit | Mauna Kea, Hapuna, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa x2 | $1,350 | $80 (own clubs) | $1,430 |
| Oahu value mix | Ko Olina, Turtle Bay, Kapolei, two city courses | $820 | $80 (own clubs) | $900 |
| Twilight-focused Maui | Five afternoon rounds at Wailea and Kaanapali | $900 | $350 (rentals) | $1,250 |
The cheapest route to a marquee experience is usually one morning round at the bucket-list course, with the rest of the week spent on twilight or mid-tier rounds. That keeps the signature round at full daylight while cutting the weekly total by several hundred dollars.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a round of golf cost in Hawaii?
Visitors typically pay $200 to $550 for 18 holes at resort courses, $110 to $200 at daily-fee courses, and about $55 to $85 at municipal and county courses. Oahu residents with a city golf card pay roughly $24 to $32 at Honolulu’s city courses. Twilight tee times usually cut resort rates by 20% to 45%.
Can visitors play Honolulu’s municipal golf courses?
Yes. Nonresidents can play city courses such as Ala Wai, Pali and West Loch at the nonresident rate, roughly $66 to $80 for 18 holes. Tee times run on short booking windows that favor registered Oahu residents, so morning slots are hard for visitors to get. Afternoon times are easier.
Which Hawaii island is best for a golf trip?
The Big Island’s Kohala Coast is the strongest pure-golf base, with six or more resort courses within about 20 miles and under 10 inches of rain a year. Maui has the marquee names, Kapalua and Wailea. Oahu offers the most courses and the best value.
Is it worth bringing golf clubs to Hawaii?
For three or more rounds, usually yes. Premium resort rental sets cost $75 to $95 per round, while checking a golf bag on most airlines costs about $35 to $45 each way. Two rounds is closer to break-even, and off-site rental shops offer multi-day sets for $30 to $45 a day.
What is the rainiest time for golf in Hawaii?
November through March brings the most rain, especially on windward and north-shore courses such as Princeville and Pali. Leeward courses at Wailea, the Kohala Coast and Ko Olina stay fairly dry year-round. Honolulu averages about 3 inches in December versus 0.3 inches in June.
How far ahead should Hawaii tee times be booked?
Resort courses usually open public booking 30 to 60 days ahead, and hotel guests can often book 60 to 90 days out. For mid-December through March, the signature morning round should be booked as soon as the window opens. Twilight and mid-tier rounds can usually wait until closer to arrival.
Do Hawaii golf courses offer resident discounts?
Most do. Resort courses offer kamaʻāina rates, often 40% to 60% below visitor prices, with proof of Hawaii residency such as a state driver’s license. Honolulu’s city courses require residents to register for a golf card to get the lower rate. Senior and junior resident rates are lower still.
When do twilight rates start at Hawaii golf courses?
Twilight pricing usually starts between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., depending on the course and season. Because Hawaii skips daylight saving time, winter sunsets come around 5:50 p.m. A late-afternoon start from November through January may not leave enough light to finish 18 holes.
