Kā‘anapali Named Maui’s Best Golf Course for 2026

There are plenty of reasons people fall in love with West Maui—the beaches, sunsets, warm weather and relaxed island lifestyle. For golfers, there’s another reason to add to the list.

Kā‘anapali Golf Courses has been voted the 2026 Best Golf Course on Maui, earning the honor in the inaugural KITV 4 Island News Best of Maui Viewers’ Choice Awards.

What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it came from the people who know the island. The awards were determined by viewer voting across more than 200 categories, giving Maui residents and local golfers an opportunity to recognize the places they enjoy most.

Two Courses, Two Different Ways to Play

Part of Kā‘anapali’s appeal is that golfers don't have to settle for a one-size-fits-all experience. The property offers 36 holes across two distinctly different courses.

The Royal Kā‘anapali Course delivers the kind of golf experience many people picture when dreaming of a round in Hawai‘i. Its layout combines challenging play with sweeping views of the Pacific, Kā‘anapali Beach and the West Maui Mountains. Even legendary golfer Arnold Palmer once praised the Royal’s 18th hole as one of the best and most challenging finishing holes he had played.

For players looking for something a little more relaxed, the Kā‘anapali Kai Course offers another experience entirely. The par-70 course stretches approximately 6,400 yards and features rolling terrain and undulating greens, with a more forgiving layout designed to accommodate a wide range of skill levels.

Together, the two courses offer something increasingly important in a golf destination: variety.

Golf Is Only Part of the Experience

A round at Kā‘anapali is also about where you are when you put the clubs away.

The courses sit within one of Maui’s best-known resort communities, surrounded by accommodations, restaurants, shopping, beaches and recreation. That makes it possible to spend the morning on the course and the afternoon at the beach without traveling across the island.

For visitors, that convenience can make Kā‘anapali an especially appealing vacation destination. For those fortunate enough to call West Maui home, it’s part of an everyday lifestyle where recreation and natural beauty are never very far away.

A Maui Golf Destination With History

Kā‘anapali has been welcoming golfers for generations. The resort community dates back to 1962 and will celebrate its 65th anniversary in 2027.

Yet the golf experience continues to evolve.

Along with being named Maui’s best golf course in the 2026 viewers’ choice awards, Kā‘anapali was included among Golf Pass’ 25 Best Public Golf Courses in Hawai‘i. The property also hosts competitive and community golf events throughout the year, ranging from collegiate tournaments to charity events and junior golf programs.

That combination of history, community involvement and destination golf helps explain why Kā‘anapali continues to stand out more than six decades after its debut.

More Than a Great Place to Visit

Awards like this also highlight something we love about Maui real estate: where you live can have just as much impact on your lifestyle as the home itself.

For a golfer, living near a nationally recognized course can mean having an incredible round practically in your backyard. For someone who would rather spend the day on the water, Kā‘anapali Beach is nearby. Add dining, shopping, resorts and some of West Maui’s most memorable sunsets, and it’s easy to understand why Kā‘anapali has remained such a desirable part of the island.

Whether you’re planning your next Maui golf trip or imagining what it would be like to call West Maui home, Kā‘anapali offers something special both on and off the course.

Thinking about making Maui more than just a vacation destination? We’d love to help you explore the homes, condominiums and communities that make the West Maui lifestyle possible.

**Photo Credit: https://www.kaanapaligolfcourses.com/