Formula 18 Golf

Formula 18 Golf

Courses / Best in state

Best Public Golf Courses in Hawaii

Experts + Golfers + Story + Architect + Challenge + Access = the Total Score

Top 10
  1. 1Princeville At HanaleiPrinceville · Public · Est. 1971Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  2. 2Mauna Kea ResortsKohala Coast · Resort · Est. 1964Robert Trent Jones Sr. (renovated by Robert Trent Jones Jr., 2008)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  3. 3Kapalua ResortLahaina · Resort · Est. 1991Bill Coore and Ben CrenshawUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  4. 4Princeville Makai Golf CoursePrinceville · Resort · Est. 1971Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  5. 5Hualalai Golf ClubKailua-Kona · Resort · Est. 1996Jack NicklausUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  6. 6Turtle Bay GolfKahuku · Resort · Est. 1992Arnold Palmer with Ed SeayUnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  7. 7Hualalai Golf Club Nicklaus CourseKailua-Kona · Resort · Est. 1996Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus Design)UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  8. 8Kaanapali Golf ResortLahaina · Resort · Est. 1962Robert Trent Jones Sr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  9. 9Wailea Emerald CourseWailea · Public · Est. 1994Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.
  10. 10Princeville Golf Club - Prince CoursePrinceville · Resort · Est. 1990Robert Trent Jones Jr.UnchartedNot enough reviews yet. Go see for yourself.

How we rank

Public courses only — anyone can book a tee time (public, municipal, resort, semi-private, university). Each course gets a Formula 18 Golf Total Score out of 10 with one word (Legendary, Destination, Memorable, Playable, Unsolved), cited on its page. Not enough to go on yet? It reads Uncharted. Expert lists, golfer stars, challenge, access and threads make the score. A notable architect and a real story add bonus points, and missing ones never count against a course. See the full formula →
Editor’s picks are placed by the Formula 18 Golf team. Played one that belongs higher? Tell us.