Maui Driving Ranges

[jonsd]

I'll be spending a portion of my trip in Kapalua and Makena and was wondering if there were any worthwhile driving ranges/short game areas I could visit on the days I'm not playing.

 

I've heard the driving range at the Dunes is pretty solid, but that will be a decent trek from West Maui. Is there a way to use the practice facilities at Kapalua on day's I'm not playing a round there? What about Ka'anapali?

 

Thanks!

[myspinonit]

Not a lot of experience in the ranges (though I've seen ton of folks using the one at the Dunes).

There is a range you can use at the Kapalua Golf Academy near the Bay course. I hit a bucket last November but wasn't impressed though. A downhill range. I think it was $14 for a medium sized bucket of pretty beat up balls. A bored-looking range guy said simply "14 dollars" , no please, no thank you etc. "Emperor's New Clothes" is how my wife describes that kind of place.

While you are at McKenna you could drive a few minutes to Elleair in Kihei (you will pass by it if you drive to Wailea on the Highway). Not great range or balls there either but well less than half the price and there is a chipping green.

[rockinar]

[quote name='jonsd' timestamp='1393298020' post='8739088']
I'll be spending a portion of my trip in Kapalua and Makena and was wondering if there were any worthwhile driving ranges/short game areas I could visit on the days I'm not playing.

I've heard the driving range at the Dunes is pretty solid, but that will be a decent trek from West Maui. Is there a way to use the practice facilities at Kapalua on day's I'm not playing a round there? What about Ka'anapali?

Thanks!
[/quote]

The ranges at the the Bay and Plantation courses are not very good. Only positive is you hit off grass. I dont think you can "use" Plantation range unless youre playing a round. I could be wrong. The range is in the woods by the 10th. requires a cart to get there, etc. Putting green at Kaanapali is as good as the Kapalua courses. They are all small. Kaanapali couse uses range mats. I dont know if youre allowed to hit at the Kapalua Academy. Might not hurt to ask. Ive never tried. Last time I hit balls at the Bay range, they were crappy limited 2/3 distance balls. Not worth driving to. Only downside to the Kaanapali range is the mats. If you dont mind them, theres no advantage to going to Kapalua.