Maui, Hawaii
Wisconsin is an amazing state for golf, and we are very lucky to have access to so many amazing courses. I’ve also been fortunate enough to play in some amazing places outside of Wisconsin that are famous for golf in my life, including many popular golf-trip locations like Maui, Hawaii. Here you will find some of my favorites on the island of Maui. I look forward to adding to this list and sharing my thoughts here.
1. Kapalua Plantation – Lahaina, HI. The home of the PGA Tour’s calendar-opening tournament is held at one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. Stunning views on nearly every shot will captivate you as you try to deal with the wind, grain and elevation changes of the Plantation Course. If you are in Maui with plans to play golf, this is the course you have to play. It’s pretty expensive – nearing $500 as of 2022 – but it will create an endless number of memories. Make a day of it and enjoy the Kapalua area.
2. Kapalua Bay – Lahaina, HI. The sister course to Kapalua’s Plantation, the Bay Course is every bit as stunning (at half the cost), and boasts the only holes that are right on the Pacific Ocean. Bay also has the much better practice range, if you’re just looking to hit some balls. Many of the same features you’d find on Plantation are prominent on the Bay. The finishing stretch brings you right along the ocean, likely accompanied by some strong ocean breezes. Make sure you get a grasp on how the grain of the greens will affect your shots, because it is a major feature, sometimes seeming to override the contour of the green altogether. Do not overlook this course just because the pros don’t play a tournament there.
3. Wailea (Gold) – Kihei, HI. The Wailea Golf Club, located on the western side of Maui, is home to three golf courses – the Gold, Emerald and Blue. I have only played the Gold, and I was stunned at the beauty. It has everything you’d expect to find in a Hawaii golf course, including carries over lava rock. I chose the Gold because it was rated the best, but I have seen many arguments for the other two, so I don’t think you can go wrong. I would like to get a chance to compare the Gold to the others. And for what it’s worth, the resort produces an abnormally high number of hole-in-ones, per their Facebook posts, so maybe there’s something even more magical there.
4. Ka’anapali Royal – Lahaina, HI. Ka’anapali Royal is one of two courses that form the Ka’anapali Golf Resort, which you see from the main thoroughfare (Hwy 30) of the Lahaina area. Located adjacent to Whaler’s Village, a popular tourist hub, you will feel all the luxury you would want on this amazing property. Huge fairways and greens make the course forgiving, but if the wind is up, you’ll need all the help you can get. Like Kapalua, Ka’anapali goes up and down the steep terrain, making club choice as important as the swing itself. Some of the Golf Channel’s reality show Big Break was held at Ka’anapali Royal in 2008, so you could get a little preview of how it plays by watching that footage online.
5. The Dunes at Maui Lani – Kahului, HI. The Dunes is located a short jaunt from Maui’s main airport, so if you’re staying in that area, this is a great option. While it doesn’t offer the ocean views that some of the previous courses do, it doesn’t make it unspectacular at all. I think of this course as Maui’s mountain course, as that’s the primary views you’ll enjoy, all while being in the tropical setting you’d expect in Hawaii. This is a fun course that allows you to be a little wayward off the tee on many holes. With greens fees running closer to $100, this is nice option if you’re not wanting to break the bank.
6. Pukalani Country Club – Makawao, HI. Pukalani is in what is known as the “Upcountry” of Maui, and offers excellent golf at a very reasonable price. Like most other courses I’ve played, elevation change is prominent, especially on the par-3s. Despite being in the “Upcountry”, you can still catch some glimpses of the Pacific, but you’ll pay under $100 to play. The last time I was there, we got a late-day special and paid less than $50. It is easily worth every penny of that!
7. King Kamehameha Golf Club – Wailuku, HI. A bit off the beaten path, King Kamehameha Golf Club is a private course on the western side of Maui, but you can surely get on by contacting the course in advance or through a service like Maui Golf Shop. Built into the side of the lower mountain, you will have stunning views of green that never seems to end. After all, this is the wettest place in the country, so check your forecast before you play. I found this to be one of the more difficult courses on Maui, but I had to contend with a good amount of wind and some rain. The clubhouse is an incredible feature, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
8. Maui Nui Golf Course – Kihei, HI. Maui Nui is due south of Kahalui, and in more of an urban setting than many of the other courses I’ve played in Maui. I think of it as Maui’s muni course. The price is definitely right, with many options under $100 for 18 with a cart. The course is fun, but the condition is a little lacking. You’ll get that tropical, Aloha vibe, though.