Dunes at Maui Lani and Kahili

[myspinonit]

Edit:

We booked Kahili. It's usually consistent and more spouse-friendly.

 

Wondering if anyone has recent condition updates on either course (especially the Dunes). It was in really bad shape when I last played there a few years ago and my buddy said it was awful last year.

 

Heading over next week and will meet friends for an early afternoon round near the airport as they are driopping relatives off at OGG at noon. They have suggested the Dunes but I think Kahili is probably a safer choice from past condition experience and it's only 10 minutes further from the airport.

 

I know either course is likely to be windy in the afternoon. It's only one of two rounds we'll be able to play with them from the timng of our mutual trips, so we're limited to those two course options for that round.

 

We're otherwise good for course options for the rest of our trip.

[tad950]

I played Kahili last December. It was in pretty decent shape. Kamehameha up the road, allows some public play. Great shape, but pretty pricey.

[myspinonit]

I played Kahili last December. It was in pretty decent shape. Kamehameha up the road, allows some public play. Great shape, but pretty pricey.

 

Thanks. KK isn't on our horizon this year, though I've played it. Mostly we'll be playing Maui Nui with a deal card and for proximity, probably a couple at Pukalani (not fancy but we like the Maui "real feel' of it). We think we'll get the three round once-per-course at the Wailea ones, maybe one more at Kahili if we enjoy it this year, especially if they have a reasonable Friday deal.

[burritos4breakfast]

dunes redid all their greens within the last year. they are in way better shape. pretty fun track although theres a few funky holes (screw 10/11) and if you arent playing it early it can get windy and pretty tough. maui nui is in pretty poor shape right now. they closed 6 to redo the green and some of the greens are basically dead. i havet played kahili in a while since troon took over and got rid of all the good deals but if its in any shape like its practice green i wouldnt recommend. id just play wailea or kapalua bay on twilight if it were me

[myspinonit]

dunes redid all their greens within the last year. they are in way better shape. pretty fun track although theres a few funky holes (screw 10/11) and if you arent playing it early it can get windy and pretty tough. maui nui is in pretty poor shape right now. they closed 6 to redo the green and some of the greens are basically dead. i havet played kahili in a while since troon took over and got rid of all the good deals but if its in any shape like its practice green i wouldnt recommend. id just play wailea or kapalua bay on twilight if it were me

 

Thanks. We're pretty set on our plans now, but I'll give some detailed rationale for others later reading perhaps.

 

Good to know they redid Dunes greens, but agree it can be a tough track and I don't particularly like it or the attitude at the pro shop either. The fairways were almost just dirt in spots when I last played it two years ago and my buddy found that too his last- and I mean last- play last year. He said the pro shop had a "don't give a you know what" about the course conditions for patrons when he complained.

 

As we are here for three weeks we go more don't play a lot of higher end course prices (my wife wouldn't appreciate them anyway). But we did consider the 3 round, one per course @ Wailea for $399. We came close to buying it -did it last year even though with US to CDN $ exchange rate (over 30% now) that "deal" is nearly $1100 for two (ouch).

 

We will play at least one post noon round on the Blue this week, the choice of another couple when I said I wanted to play Wailea, maybe even get the 3 pack. I know Emerald and Gold are better, not much $ more for noon rates. However we kinda have a soft spot for the Blue since we played it a fair amount a few years ago when my wife started golf, and when there were deals to be had. Plus we look out on the Blue from this rented condo, so hard not to play it at least once. Also, since it's not as busy, less pressure with spouses for pace of play.

 

Played Kahili on Monday and won't be going back. Never actually liked the track that much and didn't play it at all last year. . Don't know what they are doing, but on several holes (at least) starting with #1 and #2 no watering done on the fairway- absolutely bleached- but everywhere else is green. Going to reseed or? Plus some uncut teeboxes, some uncut teeboxes with weeds as well. For $95 a post noon "deal". No thanks.

But what really pees me off with Kahili is how they keep and "deal" pricing secret till you get to the clubhouse. And I told them that- again, not the first year I've done it- on Monday. The Al'i (sp?) card gives rate deals but the amount and steep discounts -after you buy the card of course- aren't on the website, though a placard with the rates is at the front desk.

 

I agree Maui Nui isn't in good shape- at least the greens- but like I told the guy at Kahili at least the Player's Card pricing was clear on the website and I ordered ahead. That visitors like us who come for two to three weeks or more do websurfing to check on it for planning before we come, and it needs to be transparent. On deaf ears for management at Kahili I'm sure.

 

Kahili isn't alone with non-transparent rates. Bloe has some multi=play rates you have to ASK about. They're still a bit rich for my blood. I expect as they are the step-sister at Wailea they aren't allowed to publish them online, but it's so dumb as it gets relatively little play. Makena North was bad for that too, and I and ohers I know told them. May it rest in peace.

 

With a Players Card rate we'll play Maui Nui probably a few more times, played twice already. Even said WTH and upgraded to the card good through 2019, hoping of course it's in better shape.

 

We'll also do two to three $45 Thursday visitor specials at Pukalani. I know it can be in rough shape some years- hope this isn't one of them. Guess I'll find out Thursday. But, when we think of golf in Maui we think of Pukalani- and talking to others we aren't alone.

 

We probably won't play Waieihu this year (the public course for those reading this and unaware) but it can have beautiful views. And like Pukalani, we are sharing the course with more locals. Course conditions can be rough, especially the front nine. We stopped by the pro shop and they just reopened the back 9 after redoing all the greens, and am told they are in great shape. They are starting on redoing the front nine greens next year.