Must play courses Hawaii (Oahu & Maui)?

**blackizzz** · August 4, 2015

Hello all!

Going to Hawaii with the family over Christmas & New Years (busy time, I know)

Everyone plays golf, though at different levels.

What courses would you recommend on Oahu & Maui? Budget depends on the course, the nicer the course justifies a higher budget of course.

Looking to play about 4-5 rounds on Oahu and Maui respectively, and would of course like to play a few different courses

Cheers :)

**jsgolfer** · August 4, 2015

Hello all!

Going to Hawaii with the family over Christmas & New Years (busy time, I know)
Everyone plays golf, though at different levels.

What courses would you recommend on Oahu & Maui? Budget depends on the course, the nicer the course justifies a higher budget of course.

Looking to play about 4-5 rounds on Oahu and Maui respectively, and would of course like to play a few different courses

Cheers :)

In Maui it is Kapalua the Plantation Course and any of the Wailea Courses, I played the Emerald and it was very nice.

I also played Dunes at Maui Lani and Pukalani Country Club, both nice and much cheaper than the other two courses I played.

Haven't played any courses on Oahu.

**Golfingdad** · August 4, 2015

In Maui it is Kapalua the Plantation Course and any of the Wailea Courses, I played the Emerald and it was very nice.

Yup, I've heard this as well. When I went, I only played the Kaanapali courses, and of those, I'd recommend only the "big" one (I don't remember the name. I wouldn't call it a "must play" though.

The "must play" is the Plantation Course, and after that, I think it's the Wailea courses and then even the Kapalua Bay course.

I also have not played on Oahu before, so no idea what's good there. But I'm subscribing to this thread because we have tentative plans to have a big family vacation there (Disney AuLani) next summer.

**DaveP043** · August 4, 2015

I agree, the Plantation Course at Kapalua is outstanding, and the Bay Course is nice too. I've also played at Makena, its a very solid course. In the valley, The course at Kahili was fun, and lower priced.

On Oahu, I played a couple of the military courses with a friend, but also played At Ewa Beach and Turtle Bay. I really enjoyed both, but Ewa was a pretty reasonable price. Turtle Bay was pretty steep, and not particularly memorable for the most part.

**blackizzz** · August 4, 2015

Cheers for the recommendations so far! Will make sure to book Kapalua and Wailea! Will have a look at the others as well!

More recommendations are welcomed warm heartedly! :)

Mark B · August 4, 2015

Cheers for the recommendations so far! Will make sure to book Kapalua and Wailea! Will have a look at the others as well!

More recommendations are welcomed warm heartedly! :)

I have played quite a bit of golf on Oahu and Maui since I have family there and visit often.

On Maui (in addition to the other suggestions), check out Makena Beach Golf Resort which is a few minutes from Wailea.

On Oahu, check out Koolau Golf Club or Royal Hawaiian Golf Club....you won't soon forget the experience or the visuals at these two.

**blackizzz** · August 5, 2015

I have played quite a bit of golf on Oahu and Maui since I have family there and visit often.

On Maui (in addition to the other suggestions), check out Makena Beach Golf Resort which is a few minutes from Wailea.

On Oahu, check out Koolau Golf Club or Royal Hawaiian Golf Club....you won't soon forget the experience or the visuals at these two.

Excellent! Cheers!

About the Makena, I found this?

Makena Golf Course is now part of the private Makena Golf and Beach Club with play reserved for members only.

So I guess that's out of the question...

But both Koolau and Royal Hawaiian looks fantastic!

**DaveP043** · August 5, 2015

Ko'olau is absolutely stunning, visually, and at one time it boasted the highest slope rating in the country. I played it last September, and it seemed to be suffering a lack of maintenance. I've read that it just doesn't get enough play, partly because of its difficulty. The other issue is its location on the east side of the mountains, its really rainy there, so the course stays pretty soft and wet a lot of the time. Its a great play, but don't expect immaculate conditions. Take your umbrella for the pop-up rain, and take LOTS of golf balls.

Mark B · August 5, 2015

Ko'olau is absolutely stunning, visually, and at one time it boasted the highest slope rating in the country. I played it last September, and it seemed to be suffering a lack of maintenance. I've read that it just doesn't get enough play, partly because of its difficulty. The other issue is its location on the east side of the mountains, its really rainy there, so the course stays pretty soft and wet a lot of the time. Its a great play, but don't expect immaculate conditions. Take your umbrella for the pop-up rain, and take LOTS of golf balls.

All true about Koolau. Same goes for Royal Hawaiian. I would add that both Koolau and Royal Hawaiian is golf in Jurassic Park only Koolau is the one on steroids.

**poser** · August 5, 2015

Can't go wrong with Turtle Bay. They make a fantastic chicken sandwich as well. Koolau Golf Club is fun but, always wet and not an easy course.

**blackizzz** · August 6, 2015

Can't go wrong with Turtle Bay. They make a fantastic chicken sandwich as well. Koolau Golf Club is fun but, always wet and not an easy course.

Good thing we (try to) enjoy a challenge then! haha

**boogielicious** · August 6, 2015

Quote:
Originally Posted by jsgolfer

In Maui it is Kapalua the Plantation Course and any of the Wailea Courses, I played the Emerald and it was very nice.

Yup, I've heard this as well. When I went, I only played the Kaanapali courses, and of those, I'd recommend only the "big" one (I don't remember the name. I wouldn't call it a "must play" though.

The "must play" is the Plantation Course, and after that, I think it's the Wailea courses and then even the Kapalua Bay course.

I also have not played on Oahu before, so no idea what's good there. But I'm subscribing to this thread because we have tentative plans to have a big family vacation there (Disney AuLani) next summer.

It is Royal Ka'anipali. Played there on my honeymoon in 1986!

http://www.kaanapaligolfcourses.com/golf

**RayG** · August 6, 2015

I guess I read the OP a bit wrong. I saw the word "budget" and thought: On Maui and Oahu? Very few would be budget... And unless you're a resident, Ala Wai isn't exactly cheap, either. it's cheaper than the resorts, but you sacrifice getting done in 6 hours or less. I guess "Budget" is relative... What I DO remember is that the Makena/Wailea courses were really nice. Big difference is that Brillo that they had for the rough.. Nasty, grabby stuff. Anyway- You'll be in Hawaii... get into the aloha spirit and just enjoy it.

**rehmwa** · August 6, 2015

Oahu - I went budget and played the Hawaii Country Club - it's a goat track. Cheap as can be though and friendly. No time to find another.

Maui -

I've played two courses on a budget in Maui and they were both VERY fun and nice courses. I couldn't justify the cost to spend on the courses being recommended here. More power to you if you want to pay that much.

Kahili (very fun and great views) (there's an option to package it twice with the King Kamehameha course once - semi private) I didn't do the package, but King K course looked very nice - I didn't play it.

Maui Nui - used to be called Elleair Golf

I enjoyed both of them quite a bit - courses were in excellent condition, the views beautiful, the layouts very fun. use golf now packages and you can find quick deals

Face it - golf is golf everywhere and it's really more about the views and the experience.

remember morning golf if you can - winds come up hard by afternoon, sunset is ridiculously early (super twilights is like 2 pm and you'll have to go fast to finish)

**blackizzz** · August 6, 2015

I guess I read the OP a bit wrong. I saw the word "budget" and thought: On Maui and Oahu? Very few would be budget... And unless you're a resident, Ala Wai isn't exactly cheap, either. it's cheaper than the resorts, but you sacrifice getting done in 6 hours or less.

I guess "Budget" is relative... What I DO remember is that the Makena/Wailea courses were really nice. Big difference is that Brillo that they had for the rough.. Nasty, grabby stuff.

Anyway- You'll be in Hawaii... get into the aloha spirit and just enjoy it.

Erhm, yup :P Wasn't really talking about "budget" as in cheap, but budget as in limit. All the recommendations so far have been great, and none have broken through that limit yet :)

Will try to enjoy it as much as I can ;)

**rehmwa** · August 6, 2015

Also - get this - or the latest edition anyway...

http://www.amazon.com/Maui-Revealed-Guidebook-Andrew-Doughty/dp/0983888736/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie;=UTF8&qid;=1438893715&sr;=1-1&keywords;=maui+revealed+the+ultimate+guidebook+2015

don't ask, just get it - and go off the trails and swim under the waferfalls - not just for looking

if you go to Hana, drive the south side of the island on the way home too

**FinTurma** · August 7, 2015

I was in Oahu in June for 2 weeks on honeymoon, and managed to sneak in 3 rounds .

Ko Olina Golf Club

- Hosts the LPGA's Lotte Championship.

- Course was in good shape but in my opinion the layout wasn't spectacular, some nice holes with beautiful waterfalls

- Greenfee with cart and pick-up from Waikiki was 199 dollars

Turtle Bay Resort / Palmer course

- They've played LPGA and Champions Tour on this course

- Good course, would but it a touch above Ko Olina

- Had a really good deal, 90 dollars for cart and rental clubs + greenfee

- Great place for photos after the 18th hole

Kahuku Golf Links

- 9 holes, near Turtle Bay

- Absolute gem!! Greenfee was 16,5 dollars for 9 holes and It's right by the sea!!

- I would definetely recommend going to Kahuku

**Yukari** · August 8, 2015

Ko'olau is absolutely stunning, visually, and at one time it boasted the highest slope rating in the country. I played it last September, and it seemed to be suffering a lack of maintenance. I've read that it just doesn't get enough play, partly because of its difficulty. The other issue is its location on the east side of the mountains, its really rainy there, so the course stays pretty soft and wet a lot of the time. Its a great play, but don't expect immaculate conditions. Take your umbrella for the pop-up rain, and take LOTS of golf balls.

Stay away from this course . I played last November and the course is in ruins. No grass on many of the fairways due to lack of maintenance and heavy rain. It was mud ball city.

If you know anything about American Golf managing a golf course, you would stay far far away from this course.

I was in Oahu in June for 2 weeks on honeymoon, and managed to sneak in 3 rounds .

Ko Olina Golf Club
- Hosts the LPGA's Lotte Championship.
- Course was in good shape but in my opinion the layout wasn't spectacular, some nice holes with beautiful waterfalls
- Greenfee with cart and pick-up from Waikiki was 199 dollars

Turtle Bay Resort / Palmer course
- They've played LPGA and Champions Tour on this course
- Good course, would but it a touch above Ko Olina
- Had a really good deal, 90 dollars for cart and rental clubs + greenfee
- Great place for photos after the 18th hole

Kahuku Golf Links
- 9 holes, near Turtle Bay
- Absolute gem!! Greenfee was 16,5 dollars for 9 holes and It's right by the sea!!
- I would definetely recommend going to Kahuku

First two are nice resort courses. Make sure you play Palmer course on Turtle Bay, it's the better of the two.

I ha not played the third one.

Of course, Plantation is a must in Maui.

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