Wailea Gold Course
The toughest of the three Wailea courses, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. par 72 that climbs the sunny upcountry slopes of south Maui past native lava rock walls, with the blue Pacific filling the horizon.
Photo: Wailea Golf via Google.
The verdict
The Gold is the championship course of the Wailea resort, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that opened in 1994 on the sun drenched upcountry slopes of south Maui. At roughly 7,078 yards and a par 72, it is the longest and most demanding of the three Wailea layouts, with well placed fairway bunkers, a few forced carries over ravines and large contoured greens that ask real questions on the second shot.
What sets it apart is the way Jones used the volcanic land. Native lava rock walls frame holes, the fairways tumble down the hillside toward the ocean, and the elevation gives almost every hole a view across the resort to the islands of Kahoolawe and Lanai offshore. It is the round on Maui for the better player who wants a genuine test, and it has hosted top professional and senior events to prove it, while still being an enjoyable and beautifully conditioned resort day for everyone else.
Wailea Gold Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1994
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Type
- Resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,078 yards
- Green fee
- From about 200 dollars
Designer and details verified June 2026: the Wailea Gold Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1994 in Wailea, Maui, a par 72 of roughly 7,078 yards. Indicative 2026 green fees run from around 200 dollars to 300 dollars including cart, varying by day, season and tee time; always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Gold rewards position over power. The fairway bunkering is strategic rather than penal in the modern sense, but it sits exactly where the longer hitter wants to be, so picking the right line and the right club off the tee is the key to a good score. Several holes feature carries over natural gulches, and the native lava rock walls that edge fairways and greens are both a hazard and the signature look of the course.
The greens are the real defense. Large, tiered and quick, they fall away toward the ocean in many places, so leaving the approach below the hole and on the correct level matters more than raw distance. The upcountry elevation means the ball flies a touch further in the warm air, but the trade winds off the Pacific can swirl across the open hillside, so trusting your number is part of the challenge.
For traveling golfers the Gold is the serious round of a south Maui golf trip, best paired with its gentler sibling next door for a two course day. Play it from the tees that match your game, enjoy the views between shots and you will see why it has long been a favorite of visiting professionals.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Public resort course; open to all golfers, with rates and times for resort guests and the public |
| Green fee | From about 200 to 300 dollars including cart, indicative 2026; varies by day, season and tee time |
| Booking | Book online or through the golf shop; morning times and high season fill early |
| On the day | Cart golf with a shared practice facility serving the Wailea courses; standard golf dress; rates often include range balls |
| Getting there | In Wailea on the south coast of Maui, about a 40 minute drive from Kahului airport |
| Best months | Year round golf; the south Maui coast is reliably sunny, with the busiest visitor season from December to April |
Access and fees verified June 2026; resort green fees change by day, season and tee time, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Wailea is one of Maui's premier resort enclaves, with a row of beachfront hotels and condos along the golden sand of the south coast, a short drive from both Wailea golf courses and the village shops and restaurants. It is an easy, sunny base for a Maui golf and beach trip, with the snorkeling at Molokini and the road to Hana within reach.
For a wider Maui golf trip, the Gold pairs naturally with its sibling Wailea Emerald Course next door and the dramatic mountain golf at Kapalua Plantation Course in west Maui, or see all our Hawaii golf holidays.
Looking for a base nearby? See our recommended hotels and resorts.
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Wailea Gold Course questions
Who designed the Wailea Gold Course?
The Wailea Gold Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1994 in Wailea on the south coast of Maui. It plays a par 72 of roughly 7,078 yards from the championship tees.
Is the Wailea Gold harder than the Emerald?
Yes. The Gold is the longest and most demanding of the three Wailea courses, with strategic fairway bunkering, forced carries over gulches and large contoured greens, while the Emerald next door is the more forgiving and scenic of the pair.
How much does it cost to play the Wailea Gold Course?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from around 200 dollars to 300 dollars including cart, varying by day, season and tee time. Always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf at Wailea?
Golf is a year round game on the reliably sunny south coast of Maui. The busiest visitor season runs from December to April, so book early for morning times in those months.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and design concept verified June 2026; yardage and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.