Wailea or Kapalua?

[briggek8717]

I'll be in Maui Aug 10-17, and I'm trying to decide where to play. We'll be staying in Kihei for the first 4 nights and then up in the Kaanapali area for the last 3, so I'll be close to Wailea early in the trip and Kapalua at the end. I've previously played Kapalua Plantation course on a previous trip. Kapalua did all their work to the course July 9-27. Wailea was aerating their greens on the Gold July 25-27. Looks like I could get on Kapalua for $229. Wailea Gold or Emerald are both $180 (I'd like to play early).

 

Based on this information, if you only had to pick one round, where would you play?

[Jagpilotohio]

I like the wailea courses. I never understood what all the hype was about the Plantation. I relalize people want to play what they see on TV, but I just don’t care for it that much. So incredibly hilly. Never a flat lie. Add two clubs, subtract 2 clubs. It Gets old....especially when it’s windy as well, which is almost always.

[briggek8717]

I like the wailea courses. I never understood what all the hype was about the Plantation. I relalize people want to play what they see on TV, but I just don’t care for it that much. So incredibly hilly. Never a flat lie. Add two clubs, subtract 2 clubs. It Gets old....especially when it’s windy as well, which is almost always.

Would you pick Gold or Emerald seeing as it will be about 2 weeks since aerating the Gold?

[Miker20890]

just got back from a trip to Hawaii. ended up playing the gold and old blue course on maui (played plantation on a previous trip). old blue is a boring course and not worth the money. played the emerald since the gold had just gotten aerated. its a very solid course and recommend it. just don't expect the kind of views you get from the plantation course.

[burritos4breakfast]

I like the wailea courses. I never understood what all the hype was about the Plantation. I relalize people want to play what they see on TV, but I just don’t care for it that much. So incredibly hilly. Never a flat lie. Add two clubs, subtract 2 clubs. It Gets old....especially when it’s windy as well, which is almost always.

Would you pick Gold or Emerald seeing as it will be about 2 weeks since aerating the Gold?

 

emerald

 

and save your money on plantation. its a dumb track. if you splurge for anything go to lanai for the day and play manele

[DukeOfChinoHills]

I just returned from Wailea after playing the Gold and Emerald courses a couple days apart. My friend (who's wedding was the reason for the HI trip) and I are both single digit handicaps and both agreed the Gold course was more enjoyable. I will say both course have spectacular views, but the Gold allowed more variety of shots off the tee, while the Emerald took the driver out of our hands on many holes.

[Arpeggi]

Just got back from a vacation. Stayed at the Grand Wailea and played the emerald and gold twice and the blue once. Preferred the emerald but the gold is great as well.

[fredmg]

Just got back from a vacation. Stayed at the Grand Wailea and played the emerald and gold twice and the blue once. Preferred the emerald but the gold is great as well.

 

Heading over in March and staying at the Grand Wailea. Looking to play a round with my two boys (9 and 15). Looks like the Emerald would be the best course for them. Looks like I should take advantage of the Kid(s) Play Free after 3pm special.

[myspinonit]

Just got back from a vacation. Stayed at the Grand Wailea and played the emerald and gold twice and the blue once. Preferred the emerald but the gold is great as well.

 

Heading over in March and staying at the Grand Wailea. Looking to play a round with my two boys (9 and 15). Looks like the Emerald would be the best course for them. Looks like I should take advantage of the Kid(s) Play Free after 3pm special.

 

 

Bear in mind it gets dark about 5 o'clock so not a lot of holes to play.

[Jagpilotohio]

Just got back from a vacation. Stayed at the Grand Wailea and played the emerald and gold twice and the blue once. Preferred the emerald but the gold is great as well.

 

Heading over in March and staying at the Grand Wailea. Looking to play a round with my two boys (9 and 15). Looks like the Emerald would be the best course for them. Looks like I should take advantage of the Kid(s) Play Free after 3pm special.

 

 

 

Bear in mind it gets dark about 5 o'clock so not a lot of holes to play.

 

He’s going in March. Stays light until almost 7:00 in March in Hawaii.

[fredmg]

Just got back from a vacation. Stayed at the Grand Wailea and played the emerald and gold twice and the blue once. Preferred the emerald but the gold is great as well.

 

Heading over in March and staying at the Grand Wailea. Looking to play a round with my two boys (9 and 15). Looks like the Emerald would be the best course for them. Looks like I should take advantage of the Kid(s) Play Free after 3pm special.

Tee time is booked. Just as an FYI (if you don't know already) anyone decides to do the Kids Free After 3 you cannot chose which course (Gold or Emerald) you want to play, they decide for you. We will be playing the Gold. In any event it will be a fun time regardless.

 

 

Bear in mind it gets dark about 5 o'clock so not a lot of holes to play.

 

He’s going in March. Stays light until almost 7:00 in March in Hawaii.

[AC168]

Wailea Gold is good.  Just not as topographically interesting as Makena or Plantation.  

[fredmg]

Back from our trip. Played Wailea Gold. Course was in great shape. Several holes had nice views of the ocean and mountains. Can't speak for other courses but enjoyed the layout and had plenty of daylight.

[johntchow]

what is it about Blue that makes it less desirable than the other 2?

Also, for those that played wailea and stayed at the Grand Wailea, how did you get from the hotel to the course? given the proximity i thought the hotel might provide a ride, but i asked the concierge and they said they dont. did you just take a taxi? is uber available out there? blue course looks like its only about .5 miles from grand wailea...

[nolayup]

I’d rather walk to gold than get a free ride to play blue. Blue isn’t called Old Blue for nothing. It’s boring and uninteresting golf.

[WestCoastHacker]

I played Kapalua (Plantation) and Wailea Gold back in 2013. I can honestly tell you I don't remember one single hole from the Gold course. My general memory was that it was way too expensive for what it was, although it was in very good shape. The Plantation is far superior IMO.

[tad950]

The Wailea courses are nice, but Plantation would be my choice for one round. But a VERY windy day would reverse that choice.

[johntchow]

i just got back from maui and played all the 3 wailea courses and KK.

 

it was probably bad timing but the greens on Gold were in rough shape the first afternoon, then i played it again the next morning at 6:30am and it played better. i think as the day gets warmer it dries the greens up pretty bad or something.

 

the views on Emerald were far superior to Gold and the conditions were a lot better than Gold

 

Blue wasnt too bad. i get how it can be boring but a couple of holes had some pretty nice views. i actually thought that the views on Blue were much better than Gold.

 

overall i was pretty disappointed with Gold.

[burritos4breakfast]

plantation reopens 11/23

[aloha b.]

I would play Menele Golf Course on Lanai, it's well worth it and the views are incredible. My wife and I just stayed for 5 nights at the Four Seasons Lanai and it's an awesome hotel. There's also Cavendish in Lanai City which is a 9 hole course and it's FREE to golf!