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Golf on Maui

Maui has an array of wonderful golf courses

Maui has been described as a golfer’s paradise, with good reason. With twelve full length courses open to the public, both vacationers and full time residents have a wonderful selection of venues from which to choose. Virtually all of the courses can be reached with only a short drive regardless of where on the island you’re staying.

RESORT COURSES

West Side

Maui’s West Side includes the resort areas of Kapalua and Kaanapali and four great courses.
Maui’s best known course, currently, is the Plantation Course at Kapalua, televised every January as the site of the PGA’s first official tournament of the year. At 7411 yards it presents one of Maui’s stiffest challenges, on the best of days. (On days when it’s windy and/or raining, simply turn your car around and head south. If the best professionals in the world can’t handle this course in bad weather, what chance do you have?)

Also located at Kapalua is the Bay Course, designed by Arnold Palmer, which measures 6600 yards. With holes close to the ocean, you’ll want to bring your camera when playing here. (Once again, if it looks like rain, you’ll be happier going elsewhere.) Phone contact for both Kapalua courses is (808) 669-8044.

Just south of Kapalua is the resort area of Kaanapali. Here there are two courses that have previously hosted both LPGA and Senior PGA events. Kaanapali traditionally gets less rain than Kapalua. The more popular Royal Kaanapali course is 6700 yards and closest to the ocean. The adjoining Kaanapali Kai course is just a little more inland and measures 6388 yards. Ocean views from both courses are bountiful. Phone contact for both is (808) 661-8044.

South Side

Maui’s South End is the home of the Wailea resort, which offers three courses: the Blue, the Gold and the Emerald. Wailea is famous for having the best golfing weather on the island, largely sheltered from the wind and subject to the least amount of rainfall.

All three Wailea courses provide expansive ocean viewing opportunities and, during the winter months, golfers can combine a little whale watching with their golfing experience.

The original Wailea course was built in 1972. “Old Blue” measures 6765 yards and has landscaping that envelopes you with a sense of a lush tropical environment. At the mid-point of a round you’ll be at the highest point on the course with awesome views of the ocean and neighboring islands. Contact number is (808) 879-2530.
Next door to the “Old Blue” are the two newer Wailea courses, the Gold and Emerald.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the 7078 yard Gold Course is Wailea’s “signature” course, having hosted several PGA events. Both the Gold Course and its sister Emerald Course are operated out of the same clubhouse and restaurant facility.

The Emerald measures 6825 yard, and, like the Gold, offers unparalled ocean views. Which course is better? Golfers should simply play both and make up their own minds. Contact number for both the courses is (808) 875-7450.

Non-Resort Courses

The five non-resort courses are usually less expensive to play at than their more prestigious counterparts. On the other hand, each offers something unique that makes including them on your “must play” list worth considering.

The Dunes at Maui Lani – If you’ve been playing really well and are getting worried that your handicap is sinking like a stone, this is the course for you. Measuring 6841 yards, and with a Slope rating of 141, this is the course that will bring you back to reality. Located just a short distance West on Highway 380 from Maui’s airport, The Dunes is perennially rated as one of the best public courses in the country. Contact number is (808) 873-0422.

Waiehu - Also located close to the airport is Waiehu, often referred to as “the Pebble Beach of Maui”. The entire front nine runs along the ocean with multiple opportunities to donate a ball to the fish gods.
Moving to the back nine takes golfers uphill and puts them up-close with magnificent rain forest slopes. The good news is that this visual feast is one of the least expensive venues on Maui. The bad news is that the course is owned and operated by the County of Maui. (If you’re the type who might be offended by an occasional tuft of crabgrass, this might not be the venue for you.) (808) 270-7400.

Pukalani - This is Maui’s only “up-country” golf course, located just a short drive up the Haleakala Highway from the airport. Sitting at an elevation of 1523 feet, this course offers a cooler, less humid golfing experience. The bi-coastal views to the North from this lofty perch are wonderful. Measuring 6882 yards, playing Pukalani gets you “up-country” and exposes you to a very different side of Maui. Contact number is (808) 572-1314.

Kahili - This course is just a mile east of the Maalaea Harbor on Highway 30. It sits directly below the private King Kamehameha Country Club. Measuring 6554 yards, it sits high enough above the valley floor to offer outstanding views to the South. On the Kahului side the smoke stacks of the sugar mill can be seen, while all of Maalaea harbor and the South Maui shoreline beckons on the other. Perhaps most impressive are the unobstructed views of the majestic Haleakala volcano itself. Wind can be an issue here. Local players suggest trying to schedule early tee times, before the trade winds come up. Contact phone is (808) 242-4653.

Elleair - The final non-resort course on the list is Elleair, located on the Piilani Highway shortly before you get to Wailea. This venue is one of the most popular with local golfers, offering a very reasonable local alternative to the more pricey Wailea rates. The course measures 6801 yards, and offers plenty of challenge. Contact number is (808) 874-0777.

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