Golf in Maui

[moadhia]

I will be going to maui in the first week of September. What are some interesting courses I can play at ? The plantation course is on my list. Any website where I can get cheaper tee-times in Maui ?

[k-troop]

Maui golf is hit-or-miss. Kapalua Plantation is so freaking windy that you might overestimate how much enjoyment you'll get from the round. The Wailea/Makena side of the island has the best courses IMO. If you're staying on the Lahaina/Kapalua side, it's a bit of a drive over but worth it. Makena North and Wailea Emerald and Gold are all outstanding. I'd steer clear of Kaanapali: it's like a $200 muni. If you can swing a full day and have the time, take the day-ferry to Lanai. You can play both the Lodge and Manele Bay courses in a single day and catch the evening ferry back. IMO the best golf destination in the state. Both courses are very good and very different from each other, and during the week you can expect a 3-hour round at each course. I've reviewed both here on the site.

[sacm3bill]

I have experience with Wailea/Makena and Kaanapali, and second k-troops comments on those.

I still would like to brave the wind and play Plantation someday. Btw, they have a great restaurant there on the course (Plantation House).

I think I got some decent deals through golfnow, but in general it was hard to find discounts.

I know there are other Hawaii/Maui threads here, I recommend a search if you haven't already.  Have fun there!

[piyow69]

I went in Feb and played both Makena and Kapalua Plantation.  For me if it's views you're looking for I wouldn't play both of these, the view at Kapalua is much better.  Makena is a great course but once you play Kapalua it's seems like a waste. I stayed at Kanaapali and drove by the course and 100% agree it's not worth it.  If I was going back I would try to play different types of courses, For views it's Kapalua, I read that the Dunes course is Links style in the mountains, and I would love to see the Experience at Lanaai (didn't have that kind of time to dedicate as it seems like an all day affair).

My two cents

[Golfingdad]

  On 7/16/2013 at 7:28 AM, k-troop said:

Maui golf is hit-or-miss. Kapalua Plantation is so freaking windy that you might overestimate how much enjoyment you'll get from the round. The Wailea/Makena side of the island has the best courses IMO. If you're staying on the Lahaina/Kapalua side, it's a bit of a drive over but worth it. Makena North and Wailea Emerald and Gold are all outstanding. I'd steer clear of Kaanapali: it's like a $200 muni. If you can swing a full day and have the time, take the day-ferry to Lanai. You can play both the Lodge and Manele Bay courses in a single day and catch the evening ferry back. IMO the best golf destination in the state. Both courses are very good and very different from each other, and during the week you can expect a 3-hour round at each course. I've reviewed both here on the site.

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Heading to Maui in late June with the family and so I've been doing a little research, which is why I'm bumping this thread. :)    Just looking at google maps, I'm wondering why the Kapalua Bay course isn't talked about a lot?  It looks amazing.  Anybody who has played it, what are your thoughts??

Also, I'm glad I read @k-troops post above because I totally forgot about Lanai!!  Definitely looking into that.  Chances are that I'll have time for 2 rounds of golf during the trip, but I wonder if I can squeeze both Lanai courses in together during one day then maybe I can justify 3 total. 

What else is going on over on Lanai?  Is it worth it for the non-golfers in the group to also take the ferry over, or is there not enough for them to do?

[boogielicious]

I played Royal Kaanapali on my honeymoon in 1982 with my wife. It was an LPGA course back then. the Wailea side is almost like desert golf because it is on the dry side of the island. I've seen those courses but didn't get to play last time we were there. 

[k-troop]

Other stuff to do in lanai...depends on what you want to do. 

Lanai city is small, but it has a few nice shops that my wife really liked and some interesting cafes. There's a great art studio there where the guy does island themed oil paintings. Erin and I had a painting done that we really enjoy. 

There are three or four good hikes, ranging from 2 to 5 hours. 

Both resorts are great and offer amazing resort amenities: spa, restaurants, etc. Not sure how much of the resort you'd be able to access if you're not a guest. That said, I've always stayed there as a guest but never had to present a key or any other form of resort affiliation to enjoy the pool, etc. 

You can also rent jeeps for off road island exploring which is pretty popular. I've never done it but those that have really enjoyed it. 

Transportation around the island is exclusively by shuttle run by the resorts. As a resort guest I paid fees to use the service, but I can't see how they would know who is a resort guest and who isn't. The entire island consists almost exclusively of the two Four Seasons resorts so they just assume that everyone is a resort guest (I suppose). 

Of course there is also an outstanding beach at the Manele Bay resort. Not that anyone goes to Hawaii for the beach. 

[Coronagolfman]

I believe the Koele course is under construction by Jack and his company - not sure when it is due to re-open.  Wonder if he will change the original 8th hole that he made snowman on when he and Norman played to open the course?

[DaveP043]

The Plantation course is brilliant, the most expansive course I've ever played.  The Bay Course at Kapalua is good too, it used to host a PGA event before the Plantation course was built.  I like the course at Makena too, much tighter, very little surrounding development.  I've also played at the Kahili Course in the central valley, and really enjoyed it.  The price was also pretty attractive, but it gets pretty windy in that area.

As for getting good prices, I don't remember what we did, its been a few years.  One thing we did was to play the Plantation Course before the first tee times.  Coming from the mainland, even from CA, you'll  be waking up early the first few days, so get out of bed and go to the golf course.  At that time, the staff at the Plantation Course would take your money and send you out if you showed up at 5:30 or 6:00.  We were done at 10 if I remember right.  Its not a bad plan for your first morning, if they still do that.

[rehmwa]

  On 1/10/2016 at 4:53 PM, DaveP043 said:

I've also played at the Kahili Course in the central valley, and really enjoyed it.  The price was also pretty attractive, but it gets pretty windy in that area.

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Kahili and Maui Nui (formerly Elleair) are more of an affordable gambit - find deals on Golf Now.  The courses listed so far are the expensive high end, so these two can offset those options.  Normal layouts, and any course on Maui has great views.  I had a great time on both.  Kahili is associated with a partner private course, King Kamehameha one can get a package deal.

Rentals tend to be pretty nice.

OP - Remember that sunset is VERY early when booking times.  Stupid equator...

[Golfingdad]

  On 1/10/2016 at 4:53 PM, DaveP043 said:

The Plantation course is brilliant, the most expansive course I've ever played.  The Bay Course at Kapalua is good too, it used to host a PGA event before the Plantation course was built.  I like the course at Makena too, much tighter, very little surrounding development.  I've also played at the Kahili Course in the central valley, and really enjoyed it.  The price was also pretty attractive, but it gets pretty windy in that area.

As for getting good prices, I don't remember what we did, its been a few years.  One thing we did was to play the Plantation Course before the first tee times.  Coming from the mainland, even from CA, you'll  be waking up early the first few days, so get out of bed and go to the golf course.  At that time, the staff at the Plantation Course would take your money and send you out if you showed up at 5:30 or 6:00.  We were done at 10 if I remember right.  Its not a bad plan for your first morning, if they still do that.

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@Coronagolfman is right about the one Lanai course being under construction and it appears as though Makena is no longer - best I can see is that they're remodeling it and it's going to be a private club when it's reopened anyway.

Were staying at Kaanapali and since I've already played both of those courses and don't know when I'll be back to Maui again, I'm just going to splurge on both Kapalua courses.  Hopefully the rest of the group agrees. :)

[jsgolfer]

I'll agree with the others, Kapalua Plantation is a must play, didn't get a chance to play the Bay Course.

The Emerald Course at Wailea was really nice and I heard that the Gold course is even better.  

I played the Dunes at Maui Lani, interesting muni course, they had one of the toughest par 4's I've ever played, I'm not sure there was a fairway to be found unless you were dead straight down the middles of the hole.  it was a decent muni, nothing special got a great deal on the play.

I also played Pukalani Country Club on the way to the airport, very nice course to play and if I remember, it wasn't that pricey.  We got behind some local members, they play as fivesomes. 

Loved Maui, can't wait to go back.

[dave s]

I'll second the Maui Nui course for a pretty darned nice public course.  Great condition and a good value.  18 with cart and full set of TM RBZ II woods/hybrids and Rockbladez irons for just under $100 was a pretty good value between Christmas and New Years a couple weeks back.

On another trip there 3 years ago last 2 weeks in November, wife and I stayed in Wailea at the Makena Golf and Beach resort.  Because we stayed there, the Makena course was $99 with rentals.  Played twice there.  They had Callaway rentals.

We also paid arm, leg and first born to play Wailea Blue course.  Stunning views there.  Because we were at the Makena location, the concierge was able to get our club rental thrown in at the normal course rate of $140, I believe. The weather kind of turned on us that round.  We roll off 18 and everyone working there had jackets on bundled up the their chins and had hats on.  We still had shorts / golf shirts were thankful for low-70s.  Although it was breezy, it was still warmer than Ohio!

Two trips ago, I was treated to a round at Kapaula Bay Course.  My sis and BIL who live there got us a round at local resident rates.  As I recall, Kapalua was pretty much the real deal when it came to Maui golf.  Who knows how much it costs now.  When I was there in the later 90s, it was probably $200+ for a non-resident rate.  Who knows what my sis and BIL paid when we played.

Any way you slice it, you'll be playing at sea level and in breezy to windy conditions. However, the scenery is just so beautiful and you're playing golf on Maui.

dave  

[k-troop]

  On 1/10/2016 at 10:29 PM, Golfingdad said:

@Coronagolfman is right about the one Lanai course being under construction and it appears as though Makena is no longer - best I can see is that they're remodeling it and it's going to be a private club when it's reopened anyway.

Were staying at Kaanapali and since I've already played both of those courses and don't know when I'll be back to Maui again, I'm just going to splurge on both Kapalua courses.  Hopefully the rest of the group agrees. :)

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Staying on the Lahaina side you'll be happy playing Kapalua and not wasting what feels like half a day driving over to the Makena side.  There's way too much awesome stuff to do in Hawaii to spend too much time playing golf, honestly, because the golf there isn't super great anyway.  There's much better golf within a half hour drive of your house for the same (or less) money.  Have you played Pelican Hill yet???

[Golfingdad]

  On 1/12/2016 at 8:23 PM, k-troop said:

Staying on the Lahaina side you'll be happy playing Kapalua and not wasting what feels like half a day driving over to the Makena side.  There's way too much awesome stuff to do in Hawaii to spend too much time playing golf, honestly, because the golf there isn't super great anyway.  There's much better golf within a half hour drive of your house for the same (or less) money.  Have you played Pelican Hill yet???

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Yes, I've played the north twice and the south once.  They're great.

Perhaps I'll just make a point to play Plantation and then if we really want to play a second time, I'll just play kaanapali again since its 2 minutes away. :)

[Golfist]

  On 1/11/2016 at 5:42 PM, jsgolfer said:

I'll agree with the others, Kapalua Plantation is a must play, didn't get a chance to play the Bay Course.

The Emerald Course at Wailea was really nice and I heard that the Gold course is even better.  

I played the Dunes at Maui Lani, interesting muni course, they had one of the toughest par 4's I've ever played, I'm not sure there was a fairway to be found unless you were dead straight down the middles of the hole.  it was a decent muni, nothing special got a great deal on the play.

I also played Pukalani Country Club on the way to the airport, very nice course to play and if I remember, it wasn't that pricey.  We got behind some local members, they play as fivesomes. 

Loved Maui, can't wait to go back.

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Anyone played both the Gold and the Emerald at Wailea? Which would you recommend for someone on a 12 handicap? I've heard the Emerald course is more forgiving? 

[iacas]

Though the topic is nearly 7 years old, @jsgolfer is still around so he may be able to answer you, @Golfist.

[iSank]

We take the ferry over and stay a few days at Kapalua every year. I do not get over to Wailea very much and when we do we've been playing the Emerald because that's where our preferred tee times are available. It's been a long time since I played the Gold so go for, I don't think you can go wrong with either. 

Will