Big Island Golf: Volcanic Landscapes and Championship Courses

The Big Island of Hawaii offers a golf experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. Where else can you play through ancient lava fields, with snow-capped Mauna Kea in the background and the Pacific stretching to the horizon?

The Kohala Coast is the epicenter of Big Island golf. The Mauna Kea Golf Course, opened in 1964, was the first championship course built on lava in Hawaii. Robert Trent Jones Sr. created something revolutionary — a course that uses the volcanic terrain as a design element rather than fighting against it.

Hapuna Golf Course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, sits at 2,000 feet elevation, offering cooler temperatures and sweeping views. The course plays differently in the morning trade winds versus the afternoon calm — plan accordingly.

For the ultimate exclusive experience, Hualalai Golf Course at the Four Seasons Resort is available only to hotel guests and club members. Jack Nicklaus designed a course that many consider the finest on the island, with pristine conditioning and impeccable service.