Oahu Golf Courses

Coral Creek Golf Course

18 holes, par 72, 6,808 yards

Located on the leeward side of Oahu along the Ewa Plain, Coral Creek Golf Course is an exacting yet accessible play. Several forced carries will test beginners, and more experienced golfers will be challenged by the back nine, which differs from the front.

Regardless of skill level, every golfer will enjoy the club's service-oriented staff and the stunning layout of the course, designed to expose natural coral rock formations in cliff-like structures on the property.

Ewa Beach Golf Course

18 holes, par 72, 6,541 yards

A favorite of locals because of its reasonable green fees, Ewa Beach Golf Course is a great place for a relaxing round. The semi-private course, located in a forest of kiawe trees, has medium-sized greens, making it more accessible to a range of skill levels.

Known for being less crowded than other Oahu golf courses, the facility at Ewa Beach also includes a clubhouse with a dining area, a full pro shop and a warm, friendly staff.

Hawaii Kai Championship Golf Course

18 holes, par 72, 6,614 yards

Hawaii Kai G.C. is the only golf course on the eastern side of Oahu. Its wide fairways, large greens and strategically placed bunkers make Hawaii Kai a challenging play from either the regular or championship tees. Many of the holes play into the wind, so make sure not to under-club.

The course has a reputation for superb conditioning and breathtaking views of the Makapuu Cliffs, the Pacific Ocean and the eastern Oahu coastline. Visiting golfers will also enjoy the scenic drive from Waikiki.

Hawaii Prince Golf Club

18 holes, par 72, 7,225 yards

Hawaii Prince is an Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay design boasting three nine-hole runs for 27 truly dramatic holes of golf. Located on 270 acres of former sugar land that offers beautiful views of the Waianee Mountains, the course is heavily affected by local trade winds. This together with the 10 lakes protecting many of the greens means golfers will have to choose their shots and clubs carefully.

Hawaii Prince is nevertheless accessible to a range of skills levels, rewarding patience above all else. The facility is also home to the Hawaii Prince Golf Academy, so it's possible to get in a lesson before hitting the course.

Kapolei Golf Course

18 holes, par 72, 7,001 yards

Host to the LPGA Ladies Hawaiian Open from 1996 through 2001, Kapolei G.C. has been recognized as one of the finest courses on the island by Golf Digest. The championship track is laid out among floral gardens, coconut palms, five lakes and elevated greens.

The lakes become a factor on 12 holes on this Ted Robinson design. The course has multiple tees, so it can be enjoyed by hacker and expert alike, but Kapolei's 80-plus bunkers, elevated greens and contoured fairways mean a round here is no walk in the park.

Ko Olina Golf Club

18 holes, par 72, 6,867 yards

Widely considered to be among Hawaii's best golf courses, Ko Olina has hosted the LPGA and Champions tours and been listed as one of the top 75 U.S. resort courses by Golf Digest.

Ko Olina is a water-heavy layout, with 16 water features on eight holes. Its well-bunkered, multi-tiered greens and gentle tradewinds will force you to pull every club from your bag at least once. But the wide fairways on this Ted Robinson design mean you won't have to be a PGA Tour star to have a fun round.

Ko'Olau Golf Club

18 holes, par 72, 7,310 yards

Golf Magazine has rated Ko'Olau G.C. one of the "Top 100 Courses to Play," and Golf Digest called it the best round of golf on the island.

Resting below Oahu's historic Pali Lookout, boasting stunning vistas of the 2,000-foot-high cliffs of the Ko'olau Mountain Range, this 7,310-yard layout is a bruiser. Low handicappers will love the challenge, but less-experienced players should think twice before stepping on these fairways.

Luana Hills Country Club

18 holes, par 72, 6,595 yards

Opened in 1993 about 20 minutes from Honolulu in the Ko'olau Mountains. Luana Hills was the first course co-designed by Perry Dye and his father, world-renowned golf architect Pete Dye.

Measuring a modest 6,595 yards from the tips, the course's challenge is in several forced carries off the tee, bunkers bordered by railroad ties and fairways that fall off into bunkers and ravines. A remote course, locals refer to Luana Hills as "Jurassic Park" because there are few signs of civilization. Golfers will have plenty of beautiful scenery to admire.

Makaha Resort Golf Club

18 holes, par 72, 7,077

This 36-hole facility is one of the most beautiful layouts in Hawaii. Play unfolds among strutting peacocks, beautiful ponds, palm trees and bougainvillea.

If that weren't enough visual treat, the course is surrounded by the Waianae Mountains, with the spectacular 5,000-foot Mt. Kaala visible from every hole. Makaha is also known for its wide variety of hole designs.

Olomana Golf Links

18 holes, par 72, 6,304

Located on the windward side of the island about a half-hour drive from Honolulu, this is the course teen golfing sensation Michelle Wie grew up playing. There are two distinct nines here. The front nine's level fairways are complemented by sizeable water hazards at each hole, while the back nine features rolling hills dotted with sand bunkers.

Overall, Olomana Golf Links is a fun, accommodating course if you're on your game, a great play for mid- to high handicappers.

Pearl Country Club

18 holes, par 72, 6,787 yards

This public course, opened in 1967, sits on the slopes of the Koolau mountain range, overlooking Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. A local favorite, it is known for challenging greens and affordable rates.

Pearl C.C. hosts several significant tournaments, including the qualifying for the Sony Open and the Pearl Open. But don't fret - the course is accessible to a range of skill levels while being a solid test for more experienced golfers.

Royal Kunia Country Club

18 holes, par 72, 7,007 yards

This course was completed in 1994 but didn't open to the public until 2003. Since then it has gained recognition as one of the finest golf experiences on Oahu.

Royal Kunia is a wonderful play for a range of skill levels. Golfers will particularly like its par-5 ninth hole. Measuring 621 yards from the back tees, the hole offers a panoramic view off the entire south shore of Oahu.

Turtle Bay Resort, Fazio course

18 holes, par 72, 6,535 yards

Host to the LPGA's Hawaiian Open and the Senior Skins Game, Turtle Bay's Fazio course boasts wide fairways, deep bunkers and beautiful ocean vistas. It's a great course to play if you're traveling with the family, as the resort is much more than just golf.

Guests can also spend their time wind surfing, scuba diving, hitting smashes on the tennis court or horseback riding. The facility also has three cocktail bars and three restaurants.

Turtle Bay Resort, Palmer course

18 holes, par 72, 7,199 yards

Golf Digest has ranked the Palmer course among the best rounds of golf on in Hawaii. The accolades are well-deserved. The course is home to the PGA Champions Tour's Turtle Bay Championship and the LPGA's SBS Open.

As a championship golf course, this track will test all of your skills if played from the tips, but five sets of tees make it accessible to those of us who aren't Tiger Woods. No. 17 is the signature hole: Nine bunkers surround the landing area and extend to the green, which sits on a plateau a stone's throw away from the ocean.

Waikele Golf Course

18 holes, par 70, 6,254 yards

This Ted Robinson design 30 minutes west of Waikiki overlooks Pearl Harbor and the sparkling Pacific Ocean. The course features rolling fairways, undulating greens and well-planned bunkering.

The facility includes a full pro shop, driving and putting greens and a restaurant. For a few tips on how to tackle the course, ask one of Waikele's excellent PGA professionals.