Golf Vacation Dream Enjoyed on Oahu Links
The Hawaiian Island of Oahu is a vacationer’s dream and also a golfer’s dream with more than 30 golf courses providing a range of choices that are suitable for all experience levels from novice to champion.
Sunny skies, tropical tradewinds, and scenic settings from the coast to the mountains provide many enjoyable Oahu golf experiences.
Beginners can try one of the five 9-hole municipal golf courses including the Ala Wai Municipal Golf Course just across the Ala Wai Canal from Waikiki. Those who wish to really test their golf skills can explore the 20 private courses or one of the 9 military courses on Oahu.
Conveniently located near Waikiki and your favorite golf courses, take a look at our Kahala vacation rentals or Diamond Head vacation rentals.
Here are Seven of the Best Golf Courses on Oahu:
1. Waialae Country Club
The tradewinds can make this course a bit challenging, as the competitors of the Sony Open have found out during the prestigious event that is hosted here.
Designed by Seth Raynor, this Kahala course is located very close to Waikiki. Unfortunately you will need to be with a member to play here. The resort also features a nice restaurant at the scenic Waialae Country Club with great ocean views.
2. Makaha Resort and Golf Club (West Course)
The natural terrain of Makaha Valley on Oahu’s leeward side provides a picturesque setting at a place that is also important in Hawaiian history. Located about 40 miles from Honolulu, the Makaha course was designed by William Bell to respect this special cultural area.
The Makaha Golf Course was voted as Oahu’s best by readers of Honolulu Magazine. The resort also features the Oceanview Restaurant and Lounge.
Looking to stay on the leeward side of the island? Please consider our Makaha vacation rentals.
3. Ka Olina Golf Club
LPGA events have been held at this public golf course which opened in 1990. Designed by Ted Robinson, the Ko Olina Golf Course measures 7,310 yards from the long tees. Four sets of tees to accommodate various skill levels.
Both the fairways and greens at Ka Olina are bermuda grass. When this course opened it was named by Golf Digest as one of the nation’s top 75 resort courses. The town of Kapolei is nearby with some great restaurants.
4. Koolau Golf Club
Located in a rainforest area, the Koolau Golf Club is set beneath the stunningly beautiful Koolau Mountain Range. Designed by Dick Nugent, the Koolau course travels through three distinct climate zones including waterfall views. The picturesque terrain makes this a very tough course, including some huge sand bunkers.
In 1997 the Koolau Golf Course was named by Golf Digest as one of the top two golf courses in Hawaii. The course also features a golf school, pro shop, and elegant clubhouse including the popular Honey’s Restaurant.
Stay nearby in a quiet residential neighborhood in one of our Lanikai vacation rentals.
5. Turtle Bay Resort – Arnold Palmer Course
This challenging course in northern Oahu has been the site of many important tournaments including U.S. Open qualifying events. Designed by Arnold Palmer along with Ed Seay, the course is also the home of the Champions Tour.
The front nine of the Palmer Course is rolling open terrain where the tradewinds often make for challenging conditions. The back nine provides tree-lined fairways, and water also comes into play. This Palmer Course at Turtle Bay encircles a protected wetland area that is the habitat of endangered Hawaiian birds. The nearby town of Haleiwa provides great places to eat.
Enjoy both courses Turtle Bay offers, check out our Turtle Bay Condos.
6. Turtle Bay – Fazio Course
Also enjoyable at Turtle Bay is the Fazio Course which costs a bit less than the Palmer Course and is a bit less challenging overall though just as enjoyable. In the 1980s the Fazio Course was the site of the first Senior Skins Game. The course measures 6,500 yards with generous fairways.
Set upon the island’s northwestern tip, both of the Turtle Bay courses are totally different in their character, and both are very scenic. Both courses tend to be relatively uncrowded on weekdays.
7. Olomana Golf Links
This east side golf course has spectacular views of the rugged Koolau Mountain Range. The par-72 course is somewhat hilly on the front nine though with level fairways a water hazard at each of the holes.
The 8th is the signature hole, where an elevated tee peers out over a large water hazard. On the back nine sand bunkers are dotted amidst the rolling hills. Olomana Golf Course extends to 6,326 yards in all. There are also a few challenging water hazards.