I am traveling to Maui in November and need some inside information on golf in Hawaii. Please tell me about the golf courses on Maui and how you would rate them best to worst.

If you're staying in West Maui, definitely take a trip up to Kapalua. The Plantation Course, home of the Mercedes Championships, is fabuluos. A stiff challenge, albeit pricey. Beautiful views on nearly every hole. The Bay Course is a little less expensive, but I also think it's a great course. As the name suggests, some holes are right on the ocean. Skip Kapalua's third track - the Village Course. IIRC, same price as the Bay, but boring and easy.

Ka'anapali has two courses that used to be known as the North and South courses. When I was last there in Feb. '07, they had changed the names to something else. The North is back to being a pretty good track for a resort course, after some period where it had fallen off a bit. When I was last there, the Seniors Skins Game was played, with Jack, Arnie, Player, Fuzzy, Jacobson, Roberts, and two others. The South course is definitely the lesser of the two at Ka'anapali.

I also once played at an inland course called Maui Dunes (or something like that). Kind of links style IIRC. I remember that it was a really nice course and was very reasonably priced for Maui. Not a resort course, we found more local regulars there.

FWIW, I saw an article in the Maui News a couple of months ago discussing how many of the resorts are running great golf specials because tourism is down so much. Great time to take advantage. Have fun!

Mahalo!

Just got back last week from Maui. Played Kapalua Plantation and both Ka'anapali courses. We played at 140pm and the trade winds were a bit much. When I go back to Maui, I will always play Plantation...as for Ka'anapali...I personally wouldn't play them again. Both courses were nothing special, a few fun holes per 18. I want to try Wailea Gold next time out.

PLANTATION - must play, you'll never forgive yourself if you are on Maui and don't play it - play early to avoid the winds

If this might be a once in a lifetime trip, then you owe it to yourself to play the Plantation.

Going end of month and playing Kapalua Plantation, Ka'anapali and Wailea Gold. Can not wait, supposed to be delayed honeymoon hopefully wifey will understand about all three have only her told her about two rounds so far.

take the ferry over to Lanai or better yet spend 2-3 nights over there at the Lodge. I think it is an hour or so by ferry. The Course on the Cliffs above the Ocean is spectacular and the Mountain Course at the Lodge is even better. You will feel like you went to Colorado for the day at the Mountain Course. So nice that Bill Gates rented the whole hotel and got married on the 12th Tee of the Ocean course.

Make a trip to Lanai and play both courses there. The Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele. Also, The Plantation is a must!

Plantation is amazing, and so is all the Kapalua resort. The food, the golf villas, the service, this place is where I want to go when I die, it's seriously my own personal vision of heaven. The Bay Course is a lot of fun too, very fun design and a bit easier, if you want a little break from the great challenge of Plantation.

But you need to learn to play in the wind!