Wailea, Hawaii
Wailea Emerald is a strikingly beautiful resort course delivering dramatic ocean vistas, lush landscaping, and a player-friendly Robert Trent Jones Jr. design. It is the accessible, forgiving star of Wailea’s trio, with a vibe that's every bit Maui vacation golf—relaxed, memorable, and just challenging enough to reward smart play.
Emerald embraces the best of Maui resort golf—generous fairways, creative elevation shifts, and a picturesque string of green horizons, all overseen by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Its routing rolls and tilts across volcanic terrain, blending in seven classic holes from the original Orange course for historic depth. Water hazards are occasionally in play, but the sense of openness and playability dominates—every player can chase par or just chase the next stunning view.
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Emerald to be the friendlier foil to Wailea's Gold Course, with a focus on visual beauty and blend-worthy playability.
A standout, testing par 4 playing across a natural saddle with panoramic Maui views. The second shot rises up to a perched green, with trouble waiting long and right. Pars here are earned by crisp tee shots and thoughtful, precise approaches.
Play to the wider landing area left and accept a longer second shot; approaches must clear trouble and hold a slightly sloping green.
Errant drives right and aggressive long approaches create tough recoveries amid resort roughs and bunkers.
Lush, manicured, resort-polished with scenic tropical accents
4.5–5+ hours in peak vacation season; smoother early and late
Relaxed, friendly, classic tourist-Maui with a sense of occasion
Standard upscale resort attire; collared shirts and soft spikes
Prime tee times fill up—reserve at least two weeks out if traveling during holiday or summer months.
Hilly terrain and resort routing mean most groups ride—walking is possible, but rarely done due to distance and climate.
Hole-by-hole knowledge of uphill and downhill transitions will save strokes and club confusion.
The Maui breeze can turn in an instant—light rain layer and hat are essential.
Wailea Orange Course, designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, opens; several holes later reused in Emerald routing
Wailea Emerald Course debuts, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. with Donald Knott & Gary Linn
Emerald ranked inside Hawaii's top 10 by Golf Digest
Course remains in Hawaii's top 15 (Golf Digest)
Golf Digest ranks Emerald #18 in Hawaii
Clubhouse and amenities refresh, no changes to course holes
While Wailea Gold earned headlines for pro events, Emerald quickly became the go-to vacation favorite—blending vistas, broad fairways, and lush landscaping, all tailored to keep the round moving for families and couples. The sense of 'aloha' here comes built into nearly every tee box view.
Seven holes on Emerald trace their DNA to the old Orange course. Playing Emerald is walking a living blend—1970s golf with a 1990s refresh, all stitched together by Jones Jr.'s major rerouting and bold greens.
No. 11—clocking in at 578 yards—rewards wise play over heroics. This stretch showcases Emerald’s love of elevation, with dramatic drops and spectacular blue horizons nearly every step of the way.
With breathtaking beauty comes popularity: rounds here, especially at peak visitor times, can stretch as players soak up the setting and take lots of photos. Emerald’s staff leans into the relaxed, vacation pace—embrace it, and enjoy each view.
Wailea’s Emerald and Gold have a combined 170-plus best-of honors.
Bougainvillea and hibiscus frame several signature greens.
Many holes overlook the islands of Kaho'olawe and Lanai.
Emerald integrates both 1970s and 1990s design eras via its routing.
Wild peacocks and native birds are frequent course companions.
Stronger championship challenge and frequent host of professional events
Gentler, historic, and perfect for a casual second round
World-famous PGA Tour host with sweeping views
Relaxed, bookable alternative 20 minutes north
Upcountry option offering cool breezes and elevation change
Wailea—ideal for world-class golf, luxury resorts, and short transfers
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: What links these two? Makes the landscape part of the experience and puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in Manele Golf Course's own setting.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Aurora International Golf Club shares a memorable sense of place, making it a compelling counterpart to Wailea Golf Club Emerald Course.
Why it matches: Sand Hollow Resort Championship Course is a natural next stop after Wailea Golf Club Emerald Course: it shares a memorable sense of place.
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