Built in 1931, Ala Wai is widely considered the busiest golf course in the world by annual rounds played. Tucked right behind Waikiki, it hosted both the 1960 and 1983 USGA Public Links Championships. Show up before sunrise or the tee sheet fills fast.

A links-style municipal layout where accuracy off the tee is everything. Wind is a constant factor and errant shots can find deep rough or nearby residences quickly. One of the most affordable rounds anywhere on the west side of Oahu, making it a go-to for local regulars.

Hawaii's only state-owned beachfront municipal course, sitting at the base of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on the North Shore. Essentially edging the ocean, it offers the most authentic old-Hawaii links experience on the entire island, at a price point that reflects its roots.

Designed by Willard Wilkinson in 1953, this windward municipal gem sits directly below the Pali cliffs. The Koolau Mountains form a breathtaking vertical backdrop on nearly every hole. One of Oahu's best bargains for a genuinely scenic 18-hole round.

Named after the late Hawaiian golf champion Ted Makalena, who grew up playing public courses and became one of the most celebrated homegrown players in island history. Gentle terrain, wide fairways, and some of the lowest green fees on Oahu make this a cornerstone of the local golf community.

A par-60 executive layout perched above Kaneohe Bay with zero par-5 holes. The par-3 14th delivers one of the most remarkable ocean panoramas of any golf hole on Oahu. A perfect venue for sharpening the short game before stepping up to a full championship test.

Robin Nelson's 1999 design on the Ewa Plain was carved through what was once a coral bed. Wide landing areas play deceptively tough when the trade winds pick up. A consistent local favorite for its fair challenge and well-maintained conditions year-round.

Hawaii's first course to use Seashore Paspalum grass, an environmentally forward turf choice that produces some of the best putting surfaces on the island. Features Oahu's only double green, a nod to the Old Course at St Andrews. A genuinely underrated layout.

One of Oahu's oldest courses, opened in 1957 in the former pineapple fields of Wahiawa. Extreme elevation changes, rolling fairways, and elevated greens make this short layout far more engaging than the numbers suggest. Budget-friendly with an unmistakable old-Hawaii character.

The only golf course positioned along Oahu's eastern shoreline, offering mountain or ocean views on every single hole. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The par-3 8th and the par-5 14th are considered the two signature holes of this classic layout.

Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay designed this 27-hole Ewa Plain facility featuring 10 lakes and 90 sand bunkers across three interchangeable nine-hole combinations. Water comes into play on more than half the holes. One of the most complete golf facilities anywhere in Hawaii.

Ted Robinson's 1995 design features 80 bunkers, five lakes, and elevated greens on all 18 holes so every pin is visible from the tee. Has hosted PGA Tour Champions events. Widely regarded as one of Oahu's most complete and well-proportioned championship tests.

Ted Robinson's resort masterpiece served as home to the LPGA LOTTE Championship for nearly a decade. With 16 water features across 8 holes and its signature multi-tiered greens, Golf Digest has ranked it among the Top 75 Resort Courses in the United States.

A hidden military gem opened in 1945, nestled between Wheeler Army Airfield and Mililani Tech Park. Towering Norfolk Pines, eucalyptus, and lush tropical foliage create a park-like setting unlike anything else on the island. Open to the public, and one of Oahu's most consistently praised course values.

Perched in the stunning Makaha Valley with sweeping Pacific Ocean views below and dramatic volcanic ridgelines above. Tiger Woods and his TGR Design Company have announced a full renovation of this iconic leeward Oahu layout. A course already worth watching, soon to be one worth replanning a trip around.

Bob Baldock's 1967 design sits on a central Oahu plateau framed by both the Waianae and Koolau mountain ranges. African Tulip trees, eucalyptus, and Norfolk Pines bloom through the year. The on-site restaurant Paliuli serves locally sourced Hawaiian cuisine, making the 19th hole as appealing as any on the course.

Barack Obama grew up playing this windward Oahu course and has returned to play it as an adult. The open front nine gives way to a hilly, forested back nine below the iconic three-peaked Olomana ridge. Famous for reliably clear weather even when the rest of Oahu is under cloud cover.

Akira Sato's classic 1967 design overlooks Pearl Harbor. From multiple holes, golfers can spot both the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri battleship. The rugged, rolling terrain lined with Norfolk Pines and Monkeypod trees makes this a perennial favorite among longtime Oahu residents.

Carved from a tropical rainforest in Kailua and co-designed by Pete and Perry Dye, locals have long nicknamed it "Jurassic Park." The dramatic back nine winds through rugged mountainous terrain with towering jungle walls on every side. Formerly a private Japanese-affiliated club, now open to the public.

Robin Nelson's 2003 design was originally planned as the host site for a Tiger Woods-affiliated PGA Tour event. Elevated above the Ewa Plain with panoramic views of Pearl Harbor and both mountain ranges, it plays a full 7,007 yards from the back tees. One of the more demanding tests on the island.

Consistently ranked the top course on Oahu. The iconic 17th hole, set amid the Punahoalapa marsh with the North Shore as its backdrop, is one of the most photographed golf holes in Hawaii. Has hosted both PGA and LPGA Tour events. The course rating of 75.0 and slope of 141 from the tips make this a serious test for any handicap level.

Site of the inaugural Champions Tour Skins Game, which brought together Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gary Player, and Chi Chi Rodriguez. When open, it offers the most sustained North Shore ocean views of any course on the island. Check directly with Turtle Bay Resort for current reopening status.

Ted Robinson's design sits elevated above central Oahu with sweeping views of Pearl Harbor and the Waianae Range. The course wraps around a natural wetland preserve, creating a surprisingly peaceful round just minutes from the H-1 freeway. A convenient and underrated option for central Oahu residents.