Inside Wailea's Winning Formula for Family Golf

The National Golf Foundation reports more than 48 million Americans, age 6 and up, played golf last year. That includes 3 million beginners, 4 million girls aged 18 or younger, and 6.3 million adults under 34, the fastest-growing group. Repeated studies over the past 10 years point to family participation as the key to growing interest in golf, and it’s only accelerated since Covid.

While there are countless places to play golf, courses that cater directly to families are still a bit harder to come by. That’s what makes Maui’s award-winning Wailea Golf so special. Family travelers who love to swing together can tee up a memorable vacation experience on Wailea’s three beautiful courses, where family golfers will discover a slew of kid-friendly amenities, services, programs and great value offers.

The Family That Swings Together

The latest estimates from the National Golf Foundation show the game’s participant base has grown by 41% over the past six years and will crest 50 million players in the United States by the end of 2026. For decades, the cultural image of golf was that it was a sport largely dominated by men, especially older men. But subtle shifts that had grown for years turned seismic in the midst of the pandemic lockdowns.

As people looked for activities they could still engage with in the great outdoors, the retiree-centric sport opened the door to multi-generational groups. Not just a higher number of younger golfers, although that’s certainly true. The sport also saw an increase in cohorts of players from age five to 70, all playing together, sharing the same courses. Junior golfers are up 58% since 2019; women golfers are up 46% since 2019.

“We're also seeing the positive impacts of programs like First Tee, which has made golf more approachable and accessible to kids across the country,” adds Jennifer McNally, Director of Sales & Marketing at Wailea Golf. “First Tee not only encourages youngsters to learn a new sport, but aims to build character and life skills in a fun, non-competitive setting – very appealing to many families looking to engage their kids in a healthful, enjoyable activity. The First Tee program has grown in Hawai‘i, and Wailea Golf is proud to be a First Tee facility.”

A survey from Censuswide and Whatnot found millennials spent just over $4.5 thousand in 2025 on golf gear and expenses like course fees, club memberships, travel and lessons. And it’s estimated that golfers spend 54% more on travel than the average affluent consumer.

One interesting note: some 19 million golfers only play outside of traditional courses. Driving ranges, simulators, and places like Topgolf draw a multitude of younger and family golfers. That may shift as they get older: some 7.5 million 18- 34-year-olds say they would consider transitioning to the right golf course.

Hawaii's Golf Legacy

Recently, the PGA announced that its Maui Tour stop, the Sony Open, held at Waialae Country Club, a golf standby for more than 60 years, would close and transition into a PGA TOUR Champions event. The Sentry, which was held annually at The Plantation Course at Kapalua from 1999 to 2025, moved to California this year. In response, a dozen resort golf properties formed "Play Hawaii Golf," an initiative aimed at preserving Hawaii's status as a premier global golf destination.

Golf has been a mainstay in the Aloha state for 143 years, more than twice as long as it’s been a U.S. state. Findings of the "Hawai’i Golf Economy 2023 Economic Impact Analysis" estimate nearly 55,000 rounds of golf are played at Hawaiian golf courses every year. While 68% of those rounds are played by residents, more than $1 Billion dollars is generated in annual golf tourism and golf-related retail spending. Combined, the economic impact of golf on Hawaii is $3.4 billion dollars.

“In 2025, visitors accounted for 36% of golf rounds at the Blue Course, and 59% of rounds at the Gold and Emerald courses,” points out McNally. “The Blue is Wailea's original layout, and to this day remains a hometown favorite with a higher percentage of play by local residents and Wailea Golf members.”

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Inside Wailea's Winning Formula for Family Golf

“Fairmont Kea Lani's spacious suites and luxury villas are especially well suited for golf vacations involving families and multigenerational groups,” says April Kala, Director of Front Office at Fairmont Kea Lani. “With separate living spaces, multiple bedrooms in the villas, and generous indoor and outdoor areas, guests can comfortably travel together while still enjoying privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.

The Island Experience

Maui, the second-largest island in Hawaii, is a world-renowned destination that's relatively easy to travel to. There are several direct flights from the West Coast, particularly on Hawaiian Airlines, and most of the U.S. requires at most a single layover to get to the island. That’s a big plus for families looking to keep their vacation transit as smooth and stress-free as possible.

“Golf travelers often approach their vacations with a balance of recreation and relaxation. While time on the course is certainly a priority, many also seek opportunities to experience the destination through exceptional dining, spa treatments, cultural programming, and time with family,” shares Kala. “We frequently see golf woven into a broader Maui itinerary, where guests pair rounds at Wailea Golf Club with ocean activities, wellness experiences, and meaningful time together, creating a vacation that appeals to both golfers and non-golfers alike.”

“Maui has long been a family-friendly destination, for plenty of reasons,” agrees McNally. “There are many options for family fun – beautiful beaches and pools; cultural and educational activities: luaus, lei making, hula and surfing lessons, the Maui Ocean Center, museums, and boat rides to name a few; and favorite local foods to discover together like shave ice, chow fun, haupia, loco moco and more. A strong sense of ‘ohana (family) is also integral to Hawaii's culture, and I think visitors appreciate that when they are vacationing here.”

Double Eagle Over the Waters of Lea

The Wailea Golf Club is Hawaii's only 54-hole golf resort, consisting of the award-winning Gold, Emerald and Blue courses. It offers several amenities specific to junior golfers and families. The Gold and Emerald courses sport colorful kids' golf tees on every fairway, ideal for youngsters who prefer to play a shorter course. Their parents may prefer to sport even more colorful Sunday Swagger polos to stand out on the back nine.

“At Wailea Golf, parents and junior golfers are valued and encouraged. Families can take advantage of junior golf rates or our popular Kids Play Free After 3 pm,” explains McNally. “We offer family-friendly amenities such as Callaway junior rental clubs, so you don't need to bring your junior clubs with you, four-seater golf cars upon request, and on the Emerald and Gold courses, junior tees with an accompanying junior score card. If your junior golfer is pretty new to the game, resort courses tend to be more approachable and can make for a fun and enjoyable experience without being overly intimidating.”

For young golfers looking to build their skills, Wailea Golf Academy offers Junior Camps on a seasonal basis. Wailea Golf Club is a strong advocate of junior golf, and partners with the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association, Maui Interscholastic League, U.S. Kids Golf, Maui Junior Golf, PGA Junior League and First Tee - Hawaii.

At Wailea’s partner resort, the Fairmont Kea Lani, ALL-Accor members receive complimentary Taylor Made golf club rentals, so guests can travel without the added hassle of bringing their own equipment. This is particularly valuable for families vacationing with children or multiple golfers.

“Complimentary transportation between the resort and Wailea Golf Club further enhances the experience, while family members not on the course can enjoy the resort's three pools, award-winning dining, Fairmont Spa, Hawaiian cultural programming at Hale Kukuna, or the beach just steps from their suite or villa,” Kala adds.

Sinking the Putt

Interest in golf continues to grow, as more and more families play the game together. It’s no surprise that golf vacations would also increase in popularity, especially as multigenerational travel becomes more prevalent. Taking a trip to Hawaii, especially enjoying the resort communities of Wailea, holds equal appeal for golfers and non-golfing family members.