Wailea, Hawaii
Wailea's Gold Course is Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s Maui masterpiece, revered for its strategy and sweeping vistas. A regional must-play, its tournament heritage and thought-provoking design delight both serious golfers and resort-goers alike.
Wailea Gold is quintessential Robert Trent Jones Jr.—a layout that uses Maui’s dramatic slope and ever-present wind to demand sharp angles, smart club selection, and cool nerves. The routing finds every ocean vista and leverages undulating topography, forcing you to shape shots both ways, think your way into greens, and handle gusts that change hour by hour. Ancient lava rock walls, native grasses, and tropical setting give architectural coherence while never feeling manufactured. The Gold’s blend of challenge and playability makes it the standout of Wailea’s trio.
Jones Jr. seized every natural advantage of Maui, making wind, slope, and contour integral to every shot—not just window dressing.
A bold opening tee shot sets the tone, forcing you to negotiate crosswinds and position for a challenging approach to a well-defended green. The slope can help or punish depending on bouncing conditions.
Favor the left side for a clean angle in; risk drifting out right brings sand or rough into play.
Bunkers short right and swirling winds at the elevated green can derail early momentum.
Resort-kept fairways and firm greens, always visually sharp.
4.5-5 hours in prime season; earlier times play quicker.
Upscale Maui resort—polished, attentive, and focused on guest service.
Golf collared shirts, appropriate shorts or slacks, golf shoes—resort standards apply.
Simulate side breeze shots on the range; you'll need tight ball control on the Gold.
Book ahead and budget extra minutes—resort bag drop and shuttle can add steps at peak times.
Maui sun and humidity are no joke; bring sunscreen, hat, and ample water for 18 holes.
Dial in distances for tight targets—contoured greens penalize sloppy approach play.
Wailea Golf Club opens with Blue Course designed by Arthur Jack Snyder
Gold Course opens, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Gold begins hosting the Champions Skins Game
Senior Skins Game debuts on Gold Course
Final Champions Skins Game held at Wailea Gold
Clubhouse at Gold & Emerald renovated and reconfigured
At Wailea Gold, the trade winds build as the day wears on—forcing club selection to change hole-to-hole and penalizing any aerial shot without full commitment. Locals say reading the gusts is nearly as important as reading the greens.
From 2001 to 2007, the Gold Course was home to the Champions Skins Game, watching golf icons like Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player duel over the sunlit fairways—cementing the course’s status as a modern classic on Maui.
While the card lists over 7,000 yards, Wailea Gold constantly tests your thinking: miss the right fairway angle or misjudge the wind and the slick, contoured greens will expose even experienced players. The smarter path often wins.
Signature lava rock walls, integrated into multiple holes, are a bustling reminder of ancient Hawaii. A wayward bounce can ricochet a bold approach into the unknown.
Wailea Gold hosted the Champions Skins Game with legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Over 170 awards for course design, service, and guest experience have been collected by Wailea Golf Club.
Signature lava rock walls on several holes date to pre-colonial Hawaii.
The prevailing trade winds can add or subtract up to three clubs on approach shots.
Seashore paspalum grass throughout the course provides year-round green in Maui’s climate.
PGA Tour pedigree and world-famous views
West Maui resort golf with history
Convenient, playable, and budget-friendly
Affordable local muni with ocean frontage
Wailea or nearby South Kihei for the best access to Wailea Golf Club's three courses and easy drives to other south- and west-shore golf destinations.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: If Wailea Golf Club (Gold Course) is your kind of course, Makena Golf & Beach Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Snead Course at Greenbrier Sporting Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Wailea Golf Club (Gold Course).
Why it matches: If Wailea Golf Club (Gold Course) is your kind of course, Aurora International Golf Club is worth a look because it makes the landscape part of the experience.
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