Maui

Maui Golf

When most people hear Maui golf, they think about Kapalua.  They think about the Plantation course.  They think about the first PGA Tour event of the season and a season’s worth of champions all looking to punch a ticket back there next year.  I’m not here to tell you that it’s not worth the money to pay to play Kapalua (either course, Bay or Plantation).  I’m here to tell you what I think of the courses that I have played on the island.  Courses better known to be great shape year round, and courses that are worth more than a 15 minutes drive from your beach resort. 

To first get a reference of areas to golf, there are three main regions on the island to golf, and one course on the road to the top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano on the south portion of the island. The most popular is the Kapalua/Kaanapali region.  This part of the island has held a Senior and an LPGA event, and still holds an annual PGA Tour event to start the season.  The second most popular area to golf is the Wailea/Makena/Kihei region.  Both areas have an abundance of both beachside and golf view resorts, and Wailea has also held a Senior PGA event.  The last region is the most popular among residents of Maui, which is the Wailuku area.  This region has two daily fee courses, one municipal golf course, and the only private golf club on the island.  The three that visitors can play regularly are quite a great deal for Maui golf; no more than $100 at it’s most expensive.  The private club has quite an interesting feature, which I will discuss in my review.  Now that you know the areas of the island to golf, which I hope helps you decide which area to stay in, let’s discuss the golf itself. 

***Tip for players new to playing on courses with grain: 1) If it’s shiny, you’re going down grain, if it’s dull you’re going into the grain.  Take a look from the fairway as to where your ball is and where the pin is, and then look at the grain from afar.  Sometimes it can be difficult to see the grain as you’re on the green, and it may speed up pace of play.  2) When going into the grain on short chips don’t be afraid to be aggressive.  The ball will slow down very quickly, and if chipping from the fairway will bite hard, and stop quicker than usual.*** 

Kapalua

Kapalua Golf Resort – Bay Course & Plantation Course

Kapalua is the premier golf resort that is on the island.  The Plantation Course is home to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions each year, this 7400 yard monster can actually be quite docile when played from the proper tees, and even more tame if you are lucky enough to play it with less than howling winds.  The wide fairways are more than forgiving for any golfer, but if the typical trade winds aren’t enough for you, the greens are the courses other defense.  The grain in the grass is incredibly strong, and known for being some of the most difficult from 4-8 feet away from the cup.  The grain is a feature most Northern and Western USA courses do not have much to deal with much.  These Bermuda greens do have a strong pull, typically to the ocean and away from the West Maui Mountains, and can create greens speeds as high as 13 down grain, and still 9 into the grain.  The greens at Kapalua are some of the biggest you will see on tour, making them a little easier to hit in regulation.  Just remember that if you’re playing poorly… you’re in Maui, if you’re going to play poor what better place than paradise?

Par 3 Second Hole which allows for bail out room left, and no room right.

Par 3 Eighth Hole where the course can slow down because people struggle to get over the valley, check the wind and take enough club on this tough par 3.

Along the back 9 you get beautiful views of Molokai.  This day was more clear than I had ever seen before.

The Bay Course at Kapalua is a great alternative.  It’s lesser known, but just as busy as the Plantation course.  With the course closer to the water, a few holes directly on it, and having once held an LPGA event, the Bay Course is no slouch when it comes to a challenge.  Just because it’s the red headed stepchild of the two courses doesn’t mean it will lie down for you.  I almost believe it’s an underrated and underappreciated course because of the shadow which it is in.  But if given the opportunity to play this unbelievably fun course, take it.  You won’t be let down. 

Kaanapali Golf Resort – Kai Course & Royal Kaanapali

Although I have yet to play either of the two courses at Kaanapali, I have been on the grounds.  I believe it may be a good starter course if you are staying on that side of the island.  It does seem to have a little more of an open layout than either Kapalua courses, though I do not know if I would make the drive unless it was from one of its many neighboring resorts. 

Wailea/Makena/Kihei

Wailea Golf Courses – Old Blue Course, Emerald Course & Golf Course

The Old Blue I have yet to play, but is short, and I have been told by locals that it is a fun course.  With not as much wind in the area as any other part of Maui, it may be one of the best courses to play first on your trip to get you acquainted with how the land will break towards the ocean.  It’s longest tees aren’t much longer than 6000 yards, which is short for the newer courses. 

The Emerald Course at Wailea is slightly longer, closer to about 6500 yards or so from its longest tee.  The first hole is also a great first hole.  Short, downhill, open, with a view of the ocean.  Doesn’t get much better than that does it?  This course does have room for error, both off the tee and approaching the green.  The downside?  You do have to make sure you adjust if it’s a humid day as the ball doesn’t cut through the air quite as well as dry heat, and playing on the side of a mountain (virtually… it’s only a few hundred yards off the beach) makes adjusting to where the ball is going to land and then where it is going to finish could be difficult for some.  None the less it is a very good, well maintained, resort course with short rough that can allow you to hit errant shots with your rental clubs.

The First hole starts off with a long par 4 down the hill.  It can be difficult to get a good shot to start the day here because of the great views you have of Koolawe and Molokini in the background.  

Par 3 with more great views... They don't really leave you at any of the Wailea courses.

Well designed bunkers on this par 4 this was one of my favorite holes on the course.

Nearing sunset on the golf courses on Maui mean great sunset pictures like this one, and great food is soon to come after a great day on the course.

The Gold Course used to hold a Senior Tour Skins Game and I can see why.  The most fun golf course I played on the South Side of Maui was right here which can allow for some big drives and short approaches.  The course is a little over 7000 yards from it’s longest tee, which is average by today’s standards of course design.  The tee boxes are set up very well for all handicaps, so playing the right tee box can make for a great round and even better stories at the bar afterwards (which has AMAZING food by the way, it’s called Mulligan’s).  Be sure that if you are staying in the Wailea area you play here. 

Makena Golf Resort

The Makena Resort did have two courses, but had shut one down.  I was on the property to check out the course, however at the prime time for visitors it did not look as good as the other courses in the area.  I’m not sure if this is typical, however the locals commented on it’s slow greens and soggy fairways.  I haven’t have the opportunity to play it yet

Elleair Golf Course

I also was not able to play Elleair Golf Course yet.  I hear it is fairly open, and typically in good shape.  It seemed busy each time I drove by and I’m excited to play it my next trip out.

Wailuku

Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course

Finally!  Time for the courses that have killer prices for anyone visiting the island!  This course is worth the trip from your resort.  Girls out shopping all day and want a nap before a late dinner?  Want to swing the clubs before dinner at your resort?  Can’t… Dunes at Maui Lani have one of two driving ranges with lights, and the only driving range off of grass… with lights… and $5 buckets for roughly 70 balls to boot.  This is where I spend my evenings before dinner.  It has a grass range, big practice green (no lights, but close enough that you can use the lights a little), and a short game area (lighted) with a bunker and everything. 

This course is typically played by locals because they have a great price for the island.  Originally designed to be a links style course, you can see how little land was moved to create this hidden gem.  It’s fairly long, looks tighter than it actually is, and comes with a yardage book with your green fee (most courses on the island now have GPS and don’t sell books which is typically a nice memento).  The opening 6 holes are one of my favorite opening stretches of golf that I have played, and the finishing holes are just as good.  The course is also designed as a links course in the sense that it goes out for 9 holes, and back, the course does not come back to the clubhouse at the turn like modern golf courses do. 

The second hole a par 4 shows off the great bunker designs that links style courses portray.  The deception is shown as there is nearly 100 yards between the farthest front bunker and the closest green side bunker. 

Cool part about golfing in Maui???  Hit my tee shot on this tricky par 3 and my ball passes right by the rainbow in the sky.  Good things to come.

A long par 3 over water has the intimidation any great long par 3 could ask for.  The hill behind is a backstop for you yes, but it's steep enough to test your second shot if you do go long, and just flat enough to keep your ball from rolling back down on the green.  Great hole here.

The back side of that same par 3.  You can see how wide the green really is, and how shallow it is as well.

The vog prevents you from being able to appreciate the view that this hole offers.  You can see the ocean on a clear day, but this downhill hole gives you more than a view, it gives you a good betting hole. 

This is the green of that same downhill par 4 above.  Be aggressive because this green is sloped hard back to front, and will hold full shots very well.

***Player’s note: I was told the greens were redone roughly one year ago (I played January 2012), so they aren’t quite mature yet.  If planning to play here the greens will be slow because they are maturing, however they will roll true.  If you are planning to go sometime after January 2013 they should be much closer to fully matured and rolling even better.***

Kahili Golf Course

I haven’t played Kahili Golf Course yet, though I have been on the property and played it’s sister, private, course and it gets many of the same views not much further down the hill they are both on.  They have a great golf club fitter if you are a local looking to get work done to a club, or looking to fit yourself or family member.  They have great technology at their disposal.

Waiehu Municipal Golf Course

Do you want a hidden gem?  Have you heard of a tiny place named Pacific Grove Golf Course being the “poor man’s pebble”?  This is its Maui equivalent.  $55 for visitors, $20 for a cart (optional, I’ve never played with a cart.  The course is more than just a little walkable).  Front 9… All holes you can see the ocean, half of which you are right on the ocean.  It’s not long.  It’s not narrow.  It does have trees to aim at.  It’s not the most challenging.  But I can assure you it’s more than a bargain, it’s a MUST PLAY.  Typically in good shape compared to municipals in the Bay Area go, Waiehu offers you more holes right on the water than any other course on the island… yeah, at a muni.  My advice?  Don’t play too late in the afternoon as the wind can howl through the valley and make half the holes outrageously long, and the other half impressively short and fun. 

The par 3 second hole towards the water gives you a general idea of how flat most of the front 9 is.  

The side angle of the par 3 7th hole.  Into the wind can really make it challenging. 

A downhill par 4 on the back nine gives you a great view of the ocean and with a blind tee shot can make for a tricky fairway to hit.  

King Kamehameha Golf Club

Time for my favorite course on the island.  Top 5 favorite courses I’ve played.  I’m actually curious on how it’s not on the Top 100 in America list to be honest.  Ocean views?  Check.  Great clubhouse? Check (Double check as it's a Frank Lloyd Wright Design).  Good driving range?  Check.  But how’s the service?  They really make the members and their guests feel welcome.  Member or guest, you feel like a member.  All this talk about the golf club, but is the course in good shape?  The only course I played that was in the kind of shape to rival King Kamehameha was the Plantation Course at Kapalua, and it was the Hyundai TOC week… it was that good.  So the only thing left is the course design. 

This is my favorite golf course on the island.  Granted here would be my 10 and Plantation would be a 9.9, but this course seems to me like it could be the one holding a PGA Tour event.  It has the design of the modern courses that are on tour.  It’s well designed with the wind to go up and down the West Maui Mountains, has it’s risk versus reward holes, has a view of the ocean every hole, has challenge but every hole is still a ton of fun.  I can’t tell you how many times I had to say it aloud while I was playing.  I just couldn’t get over it.  The round itself was a short one too as I only saw one group on the course while playing, and they let me play right on through once I caught them.  They don’t have too many members, and their membership loves their course.  That day was a real treat.

NOW, although this course is private you need to check their website.  There are times that they offer a special which they call “Member for a Day”.  $200 and you receive access to their driving range previous to your round, a round of golf, a lunch at their restaurant, plus locker room access and a locker, and the ability to make a spa appointment (which is more than reasonably priced and one to take advantage of).  Instead of paying that kind of money for a round at one of the resorts one day… visit the website first and try to take advantage of their offer.  It is completely worth it.  I have no negative thing to say about my day here because King Kamehameha is absolutely top notch. 

The drive up the hill you see the clubhouse and can tell immediately that this day is going to be one heck of a day.

You can see the ocean from each side of the driving range... Short game facility... Good sized putting green.  This is the place to be.

One of the prettiest first holes (which is a tough group because Maui has a lot) on the island.  

The first par 3 is a long... long par 3 down the hill.  If the wind is in to you driver might be the play... which is scary.

As you can see the cart path is not throughout the hole.  This is one of my favorite parts of the course because you have a path by the tee box and by the green, the course is the course.  Love it.

A blind tee shot off the par 5 11th hole proves quite a test for any golfer. 

The hardest hole in my opinion with a tough tee shot if in to wind (like I had) and then an approach shot that can't miss virtually anywhere... This is one heck of a golf hole.

The approach view of par 5 last hole, view of the clubhouse and a small waterfall leading to a lake behind the green as well. 

And yes, you of course can see the ocean from the 18th hole as well as the rest of the 17 others.

After the round you drive under the waterfall behind 18 as you can see above which is pretty cool.

Pukulani

Pukulani Golf Course

Pukulani Golf Course is a place that I have intended to play for all too long.  I have bad timing because this course offers so much as far as a fun round goes it’s flat out amazing.  Next time though.  If you’re curious if you should play… you’re answer is yes.  Regret not. 

Golf's Rivalries

In golf, as all sports we need rivals to make the sport more interesting.  Granted the $10M (and confusion) of the FedEx Cup and it's playoffs created quite a stir this fall, where are the Yankees without the Red Sox?  While so many people are hoping for many Rory v Tiger face offs, I don't see it happening.

Although the current headlines for 2012 through most of 2014 would look great, how great would it be to see headlines through 2020?  Through the multiple Ryder Cups, through multiple Olympics, through many majors.  Currently Europe doesn't have as many possibilities for a Tiger-like stand out.

My favorites for Europe: Rory McIlroy (obviously), Justin Rose, and Tom Lewis.  Two very established players who have all the makings to be top 10 in the world material until 2020.  I have no doubt that McIlroy will soon become the number 1 player in the world, possibly by the end of 2012.  Luke is turning 35, Rory is turning 23, both are not showing any signs of slowing down, but history shows that the elder will slow down first.  Justin Rose was quite the accomplished amateur player. Although he only won once this year, and only half of his starts resulted in a Top 25 on the PGA Tour, Justin shows all the signs of being on the up and coming.  I feel like he will have a great 2012 and be a top UK player (although they have many great ones at the moment).  Tom Lewis.  65 in his opening round at The Open Championship.  I don't have to say more, but I will.  Tom Lewis showed poise, showed greatness in 2011 and proved he will be a force to be reckoned with.  I foresee a Ryder Cup for him this year, even if it's by captain's pick, watch out for him at Medinah this September.

USA's "Great Golf Hope" if you will... The possibilities are nearly endless.  Rickie.  Webb.  Nick.  Bubba.  Hunter.  Dustin.  Matt.  Bill.  Keegan.  It seem as though you can pick one and hope for the best.  My top 3?

Nick Watney.  Webb Simpson.  Rickie Fowler.

Nick and Webb must be two of the most solid, most consistent players on the tour.  Kuchar is as well, but I don't see him lasting the way these two will through 2020.  Watney is a fan's player, who like Webb loves the game and is young enough to have the possibility to play in the next two Olympic games.  Albeit the games current juniors will give them a strong push, but their swings don't have a lot going on which allows them to play for longer.  Rickie is the wildcard.  As he ages his swing will be forced to change.  His tempo, his speed, his leverage will all begin to wind down as he nears 40, but seeing as that isn't for quite some time... America has hope to be the home to the number 1 player in the world once again.

The world's wild card???  Aussies.  Specifically Adam Scott, Jason Day, and Aaron Baddely.  Adam Scott was good, and now he's better.  Anyone who believes that long putters cannot improve a players game was clearly proven wrong this year thanks to him.  His game clearly needed help and his shoulder high flat stick was the key to his vault of greatness.  Jason Day had a poor President's Cup, yes... but just as though some players have poor weeks during a major, he is excused for his poor play as well.  Jason Day won last year, was in the Top 25 in more than half his appearances, and is showing more and more mental strength the more I see him play.  He will win multiple majors in his career, and can help Australia get the number 1 spot they long for.  Aaron Baddely had a great 2011, will have a great 2012, and I will even go as bold to say you will see him inside the top 10 at a major for his first time ever!  He's never played well in majors in his career, but he also hadn't had a career quite like 2011.

2012... If you like golf, you will enjoy this year.  I'm looking forward to playoffs, low scores, and a US Open that will have the winner saying "Thank goodness it's over" with a score of +3.  Now it's time to wait, watch, and enjoy.