| |
|
Best Courses
to Play
|
Where & When to Play
|
Maui/Lanai Course Reviews
|
Top Tip: A Golf Day on Lanai
|
What are our
favorite courses? Where to play on a budget? Find out
HERE
|
When to play
which courses for the best conditions.
CLICK
|
Links to write
ups on all of Maui & Lanai's courses.
CLICK
|
Treat yourself to a full day playing
Lanai's fabulous courses.
GO
|
 Windward
Rule
of thumb:
Play the windy areas early morning or late afternoon.
It can rain in the morning.
The
prevailing East to West trades come from southern Mexico and run into
the Hawaii islands after 3,000 miles of open sea. Warmed by the tropical
waters, the trades sometimes produce rainsqualls and short showers as
they bump into the old volcano slopes on the eastern or windward sides
of Maui. From Hana to Paia, and Wailuku to Kapalua the trade winds and
showers prevail during the morning hours, since the wind is moving slower
during the cooler periods of the day. As the temperature increases the
trades increase in velocity and blow the clouds over the island faster
making the rainsqualls shorter.
 |
| Pot bunkers guard the green on the Dunes 14th. |
 The
Dunes at Maui Lani was recently voted one of the best new courses
in America. Great course with lots of natural sand dunes, large lakes
in the middle of the front nine and on the finishing par 5... one of
Maui's toughest finishing holes with the trade winds blowing. Rates:
$125 am and $115 after 2pm. I'd rate The Dunes one of the must
plays in Hawaii. For more, see How
to Play the Dunes.- Pukakani Country
Club. This upcountry course is fun and not expensive. It gets lots
of play in the winter as the weather is normally very nice early and
the cost under $65. The 1500-foot elevation makes for cooler playing
conditions and nice views of West Maui and Haleakala. The trade winds
start around 11am so play early and get back to the condo for an afternoon
on the beach or relax by the pool.
- Kahili Golf
Club, formerly Sandalwood, is nestled into the windward side
of the West Maui Mountains. It can catch a good deal of wind and sometimes
drizzles in the afternoon. Kahili is a fun course, but watch out for
those raised par 3s and the side hill lies. Currently under construction,
Kahili is limited to 9 holes which are played twice.
-
 |
| The Plantation Course... long and tough. |
Kapalua - Plantation,
Village & Bay. Known for hosting the Mercedes Championship,
the Plantation is an exciting wide-open golf course that plays tight
because of the crossing trade winds and waist high tall grass surrounding
the boundaries. Conditions can be calmer in the morning but it rains
earlier until the trades blow the rain away. I recommend playing in
the afternoon, as the course plays easier with the trades blowing downwind
on the long tough holes and take advantage of the twilight rate after
2pm. This one of Hawaii's longest courses. Call early in the week as
the twilight times go fast and you may not be able to finish all 18
holes during the winter months..
- Waiehu Muni,
known as the poor man's Pebble Beach, this is Maui's first coastline
course built. It has a fun front nine with most of the holes bounding
the ocean and a hilly back nine and with lots of short par 4's. Greens
can be little weedy, but overall this is a fun course for golfers wanting
an oceanfront experience. Be prepared for slow going and lots of six-somes,
as the course gets 400 players per day. At $26 + $8 per player cart
fee or $2 for pull cart, Waiehu is Maui's cheapest course.
TIP: Although you're allowed to walk this course, spend the $8
for the cart unless you're in good shape... the back nine is very hilly.
Leeward
Rule
of thumb:
Perfect conditions in the morning, windy in the afternoons.
The
West & South coasts or leeward side of Maui are known for their
sunny calm conditions which golfers and beach lovers enjoy. It is calmer
and drier because the trade winds blow around these areas leaving a pocket
of still air and sunny conditions for most of the morning. These windless
areas are Lahaina & Kaanapali on the West and Kihei, Wailea & Makena in
the South. The most popular resorts are located here behind the big volcano
that dominates and shelters the areas. Even the whales like it as they
come into the calm waters to give birth and mate again.
 |
| The 15th green on Makena South is a par 3 right
on the water. |
- Makena
North & South are two of Maui's favorites. The North plays up
and down the mountain and is a very challenging course. The South is
recently rennovated and has the faster hybrid berumda greens on the
back nine. The South has two holes that play along the ocean. Makena
is best in the morning before it gets too hot and humid. Makena may
also see a tropical shower in the afternoon. Make sure you play one
of the Makenas during your Maui stay. For playing tips see How
to Play Makena North and How
to Play Makena South.
-
 |
| View from the tee at he 8th hole on Wailea's
Gold Course. |
Wailea - Blue,
Emerald & Gold
Courses are near Makena, so approximately the same weather conditions
apply. Morning play is cooler with less wind. The Blue Course's wide
fairways make it popular with the high-handicappers. For the ladies,
Wailea's Emerald Course is a MUST PLAY... Golf Digest voted the Emerald
Course "most friendly for ladies." However, from the back
tees it's no pushover. Most challenging of the three is the Gold Course
with its great ocean views. It has lush fairways and fast greens. The
Gold is a "must play."
-
 |
| The Sugar Cane Train crosses the tressle
at the tee of the 7th hole on Kaanapali's South course. |
Elleair
is best played in the morning before the wind kicks up around 11
am. Currently being refurbished, Elleair promises to be better than
ever.
- Kaanapali
features two courses for great AM play. The North Course is the
former PGA Senior Tournament site and plays two holes along the
beach. The South Course is "easier" with wider fairways
and is perhaps the only golf course in the country transversed by
a steam railway line... bring your camera!
Lanai
Rule
of thumb:
Play Koele in the morning, Manele in the afternoon.
 |
| Another view of Koele's 17th hole |
The
Experience at Koele is up on the mountain above Lanai City at about
1,800 feet of elevation and plays through lush greenery and Cook Pines.
It boasts the 444 yd. par 4 17th hole that shoots, from the back tees,
into Lanai's deepest ravine 250 ft. below. Morning play is best while
the day is calm. It can get cool up there, so you may want to bring along
a sweater. By afternoon, the winds kick up and you may also have rain.
 |
| Aerial view of the cliff-hugging holes on The
Challenge |
The
Challenge at Manele plays along the water and across the high ocean
cliffs. Every hole has sweeping ocean views and many require precision
shots from cliff to cliff. Conditions are good either morning or afternoon.
The pros at the courses suggest If you play both courses, afternoon play
leaves you closer to the ferry allowing a more relaxed 19th hole. Last
ferry leaves at 6:30pm so don't miss it. This is a special golfing experience
in Hawaii so don't miss out, play both the same day!
|
Best
Golf at Twilight Rates
(after 12pm)
|
Dispite its low cost, Waiehu
is a very playable course. Tip: Unless you're in good shape,
get the cart. You will thank us when you reach the hilly back
nine. |
|
By
the way, our favorite course on Maui is Makena
North.
See How
to Play Makena North for tips from the PGA Pro.
 |
| Koele plays across the mountain. It's signature
8th drops 200 ft. from the tee. |
Top
Tip:
Spend the Day Golfing Lanai
The Challenge at Manele and The
Experience at Koele offer an unforgettable experience for the avid
golfer. They are Nicklaus and Norman signature courses, one at the top
of Lana’i and the other right on the ocean... with a Maui to Lana’i boat
trip to boot!
 |
| Every hole on The Challenge provides an ocean view. |
Make this an all-day golfing adventure.
Take the first ferry from Lahaina Harbor
at 6:45 am and enjoy the short ocean trip as the sun rises over Haleakala
and the dolphins dance around the boat. Maybe a whale will pop up as you
enter Manele Bay. The local shuttle service will take you to The Experience
at Koele in Lanai City for an early 18 holes on the mountain. The $10
shuttle fee is good for the entire day and allows you to ride to both
courses and back to the boat.
After lunch go on to The Challenge for
another 18 holes on the cliffs of Manele Bay. The replay green fee is
only $70.
Catch the 4:30 or 6:45 pm return ferry
and watch the sunset with a Mai Tai at your favorite Lahaina restaurant.
You'll be asleep by 9pm. This is a once in a
lifetime all-day golf adventure you must experience!
Book
your Lanai Golfing Day (including the ferry) with Maui Golf Shop and SAVE.
And remember, you can rent your clubs at the Maui
Golf Shop
for as little as $15/ day or hand pick a deluxe brand name set for up
to $35.
For the best golf deals and prices come to Maui
Golf Shop before you play.
WE CAN SAVE YOU MONEY
|
