27 replies to this topic

[CTgolf]

Going on vacation with the family mid August

Any recommendations and must-play courses?

[idrive]

I'm here now....

Some courses are certainly in better shape than others.

If price isn't an issue,the Plantation Course at Kapalua is #1

The Emerald and Gold courses at Wailea are in fantastic condition

Royal course at Ka'anapala...

Dunes at Maui Lani is a good track.... just not in the best shape..

In my book the #1 course anywhere in Hawaii is The Challenge at Manele on Lanai. You take
the ferry over in the morning from Lahaina.

how many rounds do you plan on playing?

[Steve Ryan]

CTgolf, on 27 July 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Going on vacation with the family mid August

Any recommendations and must-play courses?

I lived on Maui for 8 years.

I never played the courses in Kaanapali, but the Mercedes Championship is there every year so it's worth a play.

We played Wailea Blue or Emerald. I personally love the Blue.

The Dunes at Maui Lani is a very difficult track. I dont care what the rating or slope is. That track will eat you up.

Makenna Golf Course (Wailea) is good to. I used to work the cart barn there. If the shape is good you will love it.

An averaged priced round can be had at either Elleair (formally Silversword) or the muni at Pukalani. If those courses are in good shape it's well worth it.

Another neat track is Kahili in Wailuku. It's a muni, but it plays like a linx because of the long swooping fairways along the ocean. The 18th green is tripple tiered. I had my best putting round there for 18 holes. 22 putts.

[tngolferguy]

I was over there last year and played the Gold and Makena.  I liked Makena much better.  Views were great and the course was a great layout.  Have fun!

[Steve Ryan]

tngolferguy, on 27 July 2012 - 09:35 PM, said:

I was over there last year and played the Gold and Makena.  I liked Makena much better.  Views were great and the course was a great layout.  Have fun!

It is a great track. There's a par 3 with an elevated tee box facing the ocean. The next couple of holes go along the ocean.

[CTgolf]

idrive, on 27 July 2012 - 09:16 PM, said:

I'm here now....

Some courses are certainly in better shape than others.

If price isn't an issue,the Plantation Course at Kapalua is #1

The Emerald and Gold courses at Wailea are in fantastic condition

Royal course at Ka'anapala...

Dunes at Maui Lani is a good track.... just not in the best shape..

In my book the #1 course anywhere in Hawaii is The Challenge at Manele on Lanai. You take
the ferry over in the morning from Lahaina.

how many rounds do you plan on playing?

I was planning on playing 4-5x

My wife and son might join also - are there courses that are friendlier to women and juniors?

thanks for the recommendations

[CTgolf]

Steve Ryan, on 27 July 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

CTgolf, on 27 July 2012 - 08:41 PM, said:

Going on vacation with the family mid August

Any recommendations and must-play courses?

I lived on Maui for 8 years.

I never played the courses in Kaanapali, but the Mercedes Championship is there every year so it's worth a play.

We played Wailea Blue or Emerald. I personally love the Blue.

The Dunes at Maui Lani is a very difficult track. I dont care what the rating or slope is. That track will eat you up.

Makenna Golf Course (Wailea) is good to. I used to work the cart barn there. If the shape is good you will love it.

An averaged priced round can be had at either Elleair (formally Silversword) or the muni at Pukalani. If those courses are in good shape it's well worth it.

Another neat track is Kahili in Wailuku. It's a muni, but it plays like a linx because of the long swooping fairways along the ocean. The 18th green is tripple tiered. I had my best putting round there for 18 holes. 22 putts.

Great recommendations from a true (former) local!

[idrive]

Wailea Emerald
Elleair  -  just not in the best of shape
Ka'anapala there are 2 coursed there - Royal and I can't think of the name of other one.. but that one
Haven't played the muni at Pukalani.

[cwolfson]

I was there last august and played the plantation course in the afternoon for $88.  Best $88 i have ever spent.  Try to get there an hour early for twilight, if its quiet they may just let you go early.  Then have dinner at the pineapple grill.  On thursdays they have $8 dinner specials, save room for the pineapple upside down cake.  Or go for a late lunch before your round. The ahi tuna blt is crazy good!

[Steve Ryan]

CTgolf, on 28 July 2012 - 06:55 AM, said:

I was planning on playing 4-5x

My wife and son might join also - are there courses that are friendlier to women and juniors?

thanks for the recommendations

The Wailea Emerald is a good suggestion. I checked the slope and rating.
Emerald Course Red Tee 65.5 114
Emerald Course White Tee 68.1 119   


There's a bunch of great places to eat in Wailea also. The Kea Lani, Four Seasons, and Grand Wailea are all great places to visit and eat at.

Edited by Steve Ryan, 28 July 2012 - 01:07 PM.

[mctrees02]

Kapalua Plantation is fun if you want to drop the coin.  Quick tip, everything break towards the corner of one of the other islands (I think it's the northern tip on Lanai that you can see).  I've never played another course with that much gravitational pull.  I watched putts break up hill, stop on a severe downhill, etc before I finally trusted that thought vs what my eyes were always seeing.

Makena was a fun round.  It has a mix of some really tough holes and some rather bland resort style golf.  For the price it was a good round if you're gonna play 3-4 during your trip.

As others mentioned, take the ferry over to Lanai and play 36 holes.  The two different FS resorts offer incredibly different golf experiences.

[avgjoe]

usually play Maui Lani when visiting... will make it to Wailea (old blue) and/or Makena (thought one was closed last time) as well.  did Pukalani re-open, thought it closed after the fire or went bellyup or something.  have not played Kaanapali or Kapalua in years, hate driving to that side of island

[Steve Ryan]

avgjoe, on 30 July 2012 - 02:14 PM, said:

usually play Maui Lani when visiting... will make it to Wailea (old blue) and/or Makena (thought one was closed last time) as well.  did Pukalani re-open, thought it closed after the fire or went bellyup or something.  have not played Kaanapali or Kapalua in years, hate driving to that side of island

Wow. I have not been there in years. Had no idea that Pukalani had closed or that one of the Wailea courses had closed.

[rockinar]

Steve, the Mercedes was not played in Kaanapali. It was in Kapalua on the Plantation course.

I own a place in Kaanapali. I have played the Royal and Kai course countless times. In my opinion one is not really better than the other. I do think Royal is a little wider and it's a tad longer. Difficulty wise, I think they are about the same, with Royal being a litter easier.  I usually just play Kai because I just like to play golf and enjoy my day as much on Kai as I would playing Kapalua Plantation. But Plantation is loads of fun and a real test of your game. Especially short game.

To answer the OPs question, I would say that Kapalua Plantation is a MUST. All others courses on Maui are are nothing you can't find at home minus the views.

Edited by rockinar, 31 July 2012 - 01:46 AM.

[Mschumacher]

How do Maui courses deal with singles?

[idrive]

Mschumacher, on 31 July 2012 - 01:56 AM, said:

How do Maui courses deal with singles?

No problem

Goes without saying that you should make a reservation. But if you just show up and they have
a spot open they're happy to take your money.

[Steve Ryan]

rockinar, on 31 July 2012 - 01:38 AM, said:

Steve, the Mercedes was not played in Kaanapali. It was in Kapalua on the Plantation course.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. It's all the same area to me. Kapalua is about 4 miles down the street I think...lol

[buzlin]

Another vote for Kapalua Plantation.  Probably the most fun golf course I've ever played.  Feels like you're playing on the side of a mountain over looking the ocean and tropical islands (probably because you are!).

The other courses I've played are Makena North and South, Wailea Gold, and Maui Dunes.  All good, but nothing nearly as memorable as the Plantation.  Also, if you decide to play later in the day to save money, make sure you can still finish, as 17 and 18 are incredibly fun (and crazy).

[adamf9]

+1 Kapalua Plantation course...awesome all around experience (dinner at sunset on the clubhouse deck was outstanding!).  Granted doesn't come cheap but they had twilight rates when we were there.  played with my wife, and did get paired with 2 others (no issues, good guys), she doesn't play much but loved it as well, took a ton of pics, some of which we framed and keep around the house...to this day (10yrs later), can't help but smile everytime I look at them.

[BENNYSUPREME]

Good read becasue I'm taking a day trip to Maui and play two rounds(I live on Oahu).  I will be playing the plantation course for sure.

How is the Bay Course?  What course on the Island has the best all around views?

Edited by BENNYSUPREME, 04 August 2012 - 04:53 PM.

[jasman29]

If you want to play the Plantation course this is what we did when we were there, I booked the time for the first time for Twilight rate, then we arrived at the course about an hour before our time. The pro let us out early and still on charged us the twilight rate and we played all 18 with time to spare. One thing I would say about the greens at the Plantation Course, is putts into the grain are SLOW!!!! Down grain are fast!!

Enjoy, they views from that course are beautiful, dont miss on Kaanapali courses as well.

[reubdogg]

You have to play the Kapalua Plantation course.  That is the best.  I second jasman29....book for twilight, but show up about an hour early and they usually let you out earlier...I second about the greens as well.  When putting downhill, down wind, and down grain...they are stupid fast.  The grain affects the speed the most.  Check the hole to see which way the grain is going.

I've also played the Royal at Kaanapali...IMO, this course is ok.  I think Kapalua was so much better.

[Gunner22]

I loved the Royal Course on Kaanapali Beach. i though it was awesome and got paired up with three other guys both times I played there.  It was gorgeos IMO. I liked Kapalua as well and I do not think that you could go wrong either way.

[rockinar]

reubdogg, on 06 August 2012 - 03:37 PM, said:

You have to play the Kapalua Plantation course.  That is the best.  I second jasman29....book for
I've also played the Royal at Kaanapali...IMO, this course is ok.  I think Kapalua was so much better.

I just got back. There's nothing wrong with the Kaanapali Royal course. It's a fun little course. But twilight price is $150. Kapalua twilight was $175. Kapalua obviously worth the extra $25.
The Kaanapali Kai was $115 twilight. It's probably just as good as the Royal, it just does not have the views. You're paying extra for views on Royal I feel.

Edited by rockinar, 11 August 2012 - 01:01 AM.

[MrTitleist2U]

Ok, here is the real scoop.  I have a condo in Kiehe, and have been playing there for 15 years when I go, about twice a year.  If you are half way decent, no more than a 12 handicap, you can get into the local skins games and play at the local resident rates plus your skind buy in.

They play Kapalua, M,W,F  $50 green fees and cart, plus $30 for skins.  Tee off at 10:am  Mainly play the bay course, but Plantation is usually on Mondays.

Tuesday is the Kahili game, $42 green fees, $30 skins

Thursday and Saturday is the Kaainapali game, alternate Kai, Royal.  $44, plus $25 skins

Ellier has a game on Mondays and Thursdays, $36 plus $30 skins  (easiest money, players are not that good)

Once you play a few and prove you are not a hack, you can get into some of the real private games.  Waillea, Free green fees, $50 skins.

Best bet is to call Maui Golf Shop in Kahalui, ask to speak with Oliver, he can give you the scoop on all the local games.

You will save a grip of cash, and maybe even make a few bucks.

I just got back 2 weeks ago, and I played 6 rounds, and profited $627.  Nothing like getting payed $627 to play golf.

They do frown on guys though that say they are a single digit and then proceed to shoot a 100, just to get a cheap rate.

PM me with any questions, or if you are looking to rent a condo while there.  I have a one bedroom and two beroom condo in Keihe, right next to Waillea.

Good Luck,

Mike

[Steve Ryan]

You don't have to be local to get those rates?

Edit:

By the way, I think I know who Oliver is. He used to work at a golf shop in Kihei. He has a foreign accent right? Australian or english?

Edited by Steve Ryan, 11 August 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[MrTitleist2U]

Yup, that is him. The kihei golf shop moved to kahalui off dairy road.  Just call him or cliff there and they will give you the run down on all the games.
Do not need to be a local to get that rate. Everyone in the skins gets that rate.

[Steve Ryan]

MrTitleist2U, on 11 August 2012 - 06:00 PM, said:

Yup, that is him. The kihei golf shop moved to kahalui off dairy road.  Just call him or cliff there and they will give you the run down on all the games.
Do not need to be a local to get that rate. Everyone in the skins gets that rate.

Cliff!! I think that's who I took my lesson from. He's a PGA pro right? He used to own a smaller golf shop in Kihei just above the highway.