The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most fascinatingly surreal places on Earth. At twice the size of the other islands combined, and with only 120,000 residents, the Big Island also offers big time excitement whether golf or any number of other activities is your passion.
At its southeast shore, the impressive Kilauea Volcano continues to append an eerie display of additional coastline. At the island's center, two majestic volcanic mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, dominate the landscape. Both summits are over 13,680 feet above sea level. Mauna Loa, the world's largest volcano, is more than 32,000 feet above the ocean floor, making it taller than Mt. Everest! Mauna Kea is the largest island-based mountain in the world. And throughout the Big Island, there are scores of interesting and unusual things to see and do, not the least of which is the sensational Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
On an island where Heaven and Earth appear to have survived an epic battle with the forces of nature, master craftsmen of golf design like Robert Trent Jones Sr. & Jr., Perry Dye, Dick Nugent, William Francis Bell, Robin Nelson and teams like Arnold Palmer & Ed Seay and Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish, have been inspired to new and greater heights of accomplishment.
“The Golf Capital of Hawaii” is how the Big Island bills itself. And a look at our HawaiiGolfDeals GOLF HAWAII CARD program certainly bolsters the claim. You'd be hard-pressed to find better golf deals anywhere on the planet. HawaiiGolfDeals delivers 10 outstanding layouts on the Big Island, from world-class resorts to Hawaii's three best independent courses, all of which suit vacationing golfers to a tee.
Located along and above the Kohala Coast are two of Hawaii's premier resorts-The Mauna Kea Beach Resort, with its two unique golf courses (Mauna Kea and Hapuna) and The Waikoloa Beach Resort, with two distinct courses of its own (Beach and Kings'). Mauna Kea Golf Course and Hapuna Golf Course compliment each other as well as any two siblings can. At Mauna Kea, the approach shot is key, while the tee shot rules at Hapuna. Waikoloa's Beach & Kings' Courses also offer radically different layouts, with traditional Bermuda turfs on Beach and more contemporary Bermuda tiff-turfs on Kings'.
For golfers, the Kohala Coast is also the absolute best place to lodge. The still burgeoning string of resorts is situated about 17-22 miles north of Kona's Keohole Airport. Between the two dynamos-Mauna Kea and Waikoloa-there are four golf courses, four hotels, a dozen condo/villa communities, two-dozen restaurants and eateries, as well as shopping, in idyllic lava-rich settings. The two beaches that reside off the doorsteps of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel may well be the two best in the Aloha State, while Waikoloa's two shopping enclaves have cornered the market, so to speak.
The three finest independent golf courses in the entire state are all within 35 minutes of Waikoloa and Mauna Kea/Hapuna. The uniquely exhilarating Waimea Country Club is situated just outside Kamuela-Waimea. Moving south toward Kona, on the high road above the Kohala Coast, is the Perry Dye-designed gem known as Big Island Country Club. Continuing south on the high road for about 11 miles (and about five miles short of Kona) is Makalei Golf Club, with its charming display of game birds and stiff test of golf. These three courses, often overlooked in favor of the more famous resorts, are all memorable and a great value to boot.
Just south of Kona, in the lovely seaside village of Keauhou Bay, is the Kona Country Club and its two diverse layouts. The Mountain Course is awash with stunning long views of Keauhou Bay and the Kona Coast. Its back nine, conceived by Robin Nelson, delivers perhaps the six best consecutive holes in Hawaii from 12-17. The Ocean Course is more user-friendly and benign, with several oceanfront holes to capture the imagination and the camera lens.
The town of Kailua-Kona is a hub of activity, with lodging options, dozens of places to eat, plenty of shops and galleries and Ali'i Drive right along the waterfront.
Over the other side of the island, about 40 minutes above Hilo (Hawaii's second largest city), is Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with its golf entry, Volcano Golf & Country Club, the Big Island's oldest and highest elevated course at about 4,000 feet above sea level. Visiting Volcano is really not a recommended day trip, so be prepared to lodge at the wonderful Chalet Kileaua for a couple of nights.
Put succinctly, a Hawaii golf vacation is neither complete, nor fulfilled, without a visit to the Big Island. That being said, the totality of the Big Island golf experience is best comprehended by playing as many of our HawaiiGolfDeals GOLF HAWAII CARD courses as possible. So, consider a visit of 10 nights or more and prepare to be stunned by the sights, sounds and golf.
Some years ago, I had the pleasure of taking my ailing mother to The Big Island. As we drove through the stark lava flows from Kona to the Kohala Coast resorts, my mom kept starring in amazement at the landscape. Suddenly she blurted out, “We are staying HERE for 10 nights?” Ten days later as our plane was barely off the runaway at Hilo Airport, the same woman boldly asked, “When are we coming back!
Vacations in Hawaii
Plan your next Hawaii Vacation by contacting us for hotel, air and travel information. We're a leader in Hawaii Vacations and we can arrange vacations for non-golfers and you'll enjoy excellent savings. Our knowledge of Hawaii, accommodations, tourist attractions, and great travel experiences ensures you'll get the best experience possible. Are you hoping to Visit Honolulu, Kailua, Hilo, Kaneohe, Pearl City, Waimalu, Waipahu or other cities? You can take Hawaii tours, go Hiking, do Sport Fishing, Food Tours, and Sunset Cruises among other fun activities. Make your Hawaii vacation a priority and enjoy a holiday that will revitalize your spirit and rekindle your love of life!