August 11, I will be flying to Maui with my lovely bride for almost 2 weeks of fun in the Sun. Staying in the Kaanapali resort, I want to get 3-4 rounds in.
1. Kapalua Plantation - When I am freezing my A's off in New England, the boys of the PGA tour will be giving it a go out there and I want to have the opportunity to reflect back on playing it myself. Right now, the highest rates are at the crack of dawn, slightly better rates about 11am, and twilight rates. From what I have heard, the course will play extremely slow and finishing 18 is hit and miss. Thoughts?
Online, they indicate you can get a caddie for $35. Frankly, I enjoy walking; however, isn't it brutally hilly? If I am stuck playing a 5 hour round, is there a place to sit while waiting on the tee?

2. Kanapaali - I am hoping to get out 2-3 times before my bride gets up.
3. The muni - is it worth the drive?

As to booking tee times, is there a way to get online deals?

my .02 just got back from a June honeymoon there...my advice play Plantation in the morning and ride the sooner you go out it is less windy, trust me on this one. Also, no need for a caddie there are as many easy holes as hard...play it first then go over to Kaanapali and tear both courses up...no idea about the muni, sorry...

If you have the time available, I'd recommend you take the ferry over to Lanai and play the Challenge at Manele. Awesome course.

Since you will be in Maui, drive to the Kapalua Resort for a round. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!

I was there for my Honeymoon in 2000 and we stayed in the southern part of Maui(Kei Lani Resort - the place was unreal!!). But if I had it to over again I'd probably go to somewhere closer that's an all-inclusive.....place is so damn expensive but that's for another thread). I played Wailea-Gold/Blue and I think I played one of the Makena courses?? Both were nice. Nothing is cheap in Maui I can tell yah that...............and the wind blows severely in the afternoon!! Have fun and enjoy the Mahi Mahi but stay away from that stuff they call Poi

The only price break is if you stay at the Ritz Carlton, as they are partnered with both Kapalua courses. I've been there twice, Dec 06 this past June. Course vegetation on Plantation and Bay is much drier than in the winter, but the courses themselves are in fantastic shape year-round. Plan on a long round at Plantation, potentially 6 hours. Didn't see any caddies available at Plantation. Definitely check out the Bay course...not as long as Plantation but requires more accuracy off the tee.

I played at a place called Pukalani Country Club. It is a nice course for the price in Upcountry about 45 minute drive from Kanapali towards the airport. You can find it on golf course.com It is good for what you pay for it. All houses around it and much like any muni in your home town. But you pay considerably less. There is also another course called Waiehu Golf Course that has 9 holes that are flat and 6 on the water and then the other nine in the hills. It is north of the airport and can also be found on golfcourse.com. By far the cheapest on the island and frequented by the locals. It is a decent course, but again for what you pay it has six holes on the water. They also allow 6 somes so you may only play nine to get back before you wife gets up.

We have one muni here on Maui, Waiehu Golf Course. It’s about an hour+ drive from Kapalua. The layout of the course really nice, it’s pretty challenging. I think non-residents pay around $40 a round. The condition of the course isn’t that great. Right now the greens are really slow and bumpy, and the fairways have some weeds in it. If I were going to Maui for the first time I probably wouldn’t go to Waiehu. If I were on vacation I’d try hit up all the best resort courses: Kapalua Plantation, Kaanapali the North Course, Wailea Gold, and Makena North. If you have time check out Kahilii in Waikapu, the course is in great condition right now. They just moved their twilight up to noon, visitors can get on for $85. If you want to try out a different style golf course visit The Dune at Maui Lani, some people hate it but I personally enjoy it. Hope that helps, you can’t really go wrong golfing on Maui.

i have played every nice course on maui seeing i have a house there. personally i love the dunes!! it is right near the airport in kahalui and is a great course for a great price. the range is awesome and the course is as well. i highly recommend it
mason

You got to play the Plantation course. I'm also from New England and have played Kap-Plantation twice. It a complete blast. You'll realize how good the PGA tour is once you putt out 18. The course is Awesome!!!! And the Views are even better. My advise , on no. 1 tee, hit it down the right hand side of the fway, because the ball will roll about 80 to 100 yds down hill and left. Its a cool hole.

+1 on the course, we stay at the Ritz when we go I highly recommend it.
Kevin

ezlinks.com offers $59 greens fees at The Dunes, normally $99 so it's a pretty good deal. The Dunes is a nice course but do not miss playing Kapalua Plantation and don't go cheap and play twilight, the winds are brutal in the afternoon. My other favorites on Maui are Wailea Gold (about a 45 minute drive from Kaanapali) and Makena Blue.

I can't remember which course at Kapalua they're doing away with, either The Bay or Village but The Bay course at Kapalua is also nice as some of the holes are right on the ocean. Plantation is up in the hills but great views of the Pacific.

A bit of advice...EVERYTHING breaks towards the ocean.

Aloha and have a great trip, Maui is one of my favorite places on earth, we spend a few weeks there every year.

Went to Maui in April for our anniversary. As we were there for a just a week, I could only fit one round in and figured it might as well be the Plantation. It wasn't cheap but was an awesome experience and I wasn't disappointed. I played on a Sunday, mid-day and the round was about 4:45. They have GPS on the carts, but there are many holes where prior knowledge would be helpful. I played with 3 strangers, all first-timers, and we were puzzled by the greens all day. The tradewinds were blowing about 30mph steady, which made things interesting as well. The views across the channel to Kauai and Molokai were totally distracting. Highly recommended!

Some photos of the course:
Kapalua Photos

The courses at Kaanapali looked unremarkable, but if you are staying at that resort, you may as well take advantage of any discounts you might get.

Enjoy your honeymoon!
Tom