Playing Kapalua Plantation next week... What tees should I play from?

BigBomber · February 8, 2017

Hey Guys

I'm a 5 handicapper that usually plays a course that has around 6900 yards but can get shorter by cutting over doglegs, I hit my drive around 270-280 yards . What do guys that have played there recommend. Should I go for the championship tees (7400 yds) or just play from the regular ones?

I want to have a good time but I'm still curious about playing a PGA Tour length golf course

Thank you in advance!

falken19150 · February 9, 2017

Depends entirely on the wind. Just played this past weekend and weather was perfect. Then wind and rains hit on Monday/Tues. You'll know pretty quickly if you are on the right tees or not. You will also be paired with others and chances are they will NOT play the tips.

nolayup · February 9, 2017

it's not a long course, if the typical trades winds are blowing. early am, low wind, the champ tees might play like 7000. mid morning and after, the long-ish holes are down wind or down hill so it won't feel long. The regular tees at ~6700 you'll find yourself hitting a lot of wedges in. I hit it a little longer than you and I rarely use my 3 4 or 5 iron there. My 6 iron I'll use once on #8 if wind is in and from the right. To note, a lot of tees for the TOC are not the tees used for daily play. If you want the full 7400, you'll notice tees way back of the measured championship tees, those are for the tournament.

Haloha · February 13, 2017

I played there a few weeks ago and played from the back and it wasn't too long (our distance is similar) except for #9 (2nd shot is long) Its in great shape! Enjoy!

umassgolfer · February 13, 2017

Like was mentioned, all depends on the wind. I've played it twice (from 1 box up) - had a 5 iron approach to 4 the first time, PW last time.

If you want to play where the pros do, go for it. I'd argue though that you get more of the "Tour" experience playing a tee box up. Your 270-280 drive is still 20-30 yds shorter than most of the TOUR guys.

Similar to the other thread about playing the tips - I'm sure you could get around OK from the tips, but why not play one up, so you have the same shots into the greens that the pros do/the course was designed to receive? Most of the holes are not dramatically different from one tee up (no crazy different angles into par 3's or changing shot values)

You'll have fun either way. It's a truly special time out there.

SlickT73 · February 24, 2017

I've played the tips and one box up. Both were fun, but I enjoyed the tips more. Liked the angles, landing areas and being able to compare directly with the pros. Just a touch longer off the tee than you stated. Driving distances vary wildly at Plantation though. I hit good drivers that went 220...and 390.

Gnomesteel · May 23, 2017

I'm a 1 handicap and played the championship/regular combo tees. Was a pretty windy day and I felt like it was a fun way to play the course. If I ever play it again I may go all championship, but like others have said, only on a relatively calm day. I figure if I'm paying that much I want to have a good time.

schwollo · May 25, 2017

Hey Guys

I'm a 5 handicapper that usually plays a course that has around 6900 yards but can get shorter by cutting over doglegs, I hit my drive around 270-280 yards . What do guys that have played there recommend. Should I go for the championship tees (7400 yds) or just play from the regular ones?
I want to have a good time but I'm still curious about playing a PGA Tour length golf course

Thank you in advance!

I'm going out there mid July similar driver distance and handicap .. let me know what tees you go off of!

McMoo · May 28, 2017

I played the back tees as a 4 handicap and didn't think it played too long. If you hit it 270+ the back tees on a reasonably calm day will be fine. The long holes play downhill and down or cross wind and the short ones are uphill or into the wind. The scorecard is very deceptive just looking at yardage. For example, #7 I hit driver-8 iron and it's 516 yards. #10 into the wind at 354 yards was driver-5 iron.

Plus they don't put the tees as far back as they can on every hole. #1 still had an extra tee box behind the back tees, same with #18 and maybe a few other holes.

schwollo · May 29, 2017

I played the back tees as a 4 handicap and didn't think it played too long. If you hit it 270+ the back tees on a reasonably calm day will be fine. The long holes play downhill and down or cross wind and the short ones are uphill or into the wind. The scorecard is very deceptive just looking at yardage. For example, #7 I hit driver-8 iron and it's 516 yards. #10 into the wind at 354 yards was driver-5 iron.

Plus they don't put the tees as far back as they can on every hole. #1 still had an extra tee box behind the back tees, same with #18 and maybe a few other holes.

thanks I think I'll try that !