Golf in Maui

[RB1240]

Hello Fellow Hackers. Should I play the Plantation course (green would have just been aerated) or the Bay course. Any other good options? Thanks in Advance..

[MattSTL88]

Depends on if you think you'll be back to Maui. If you think you'll be back at some point, I'd probably play the Bay course this time. If not, I'd probably still play the Plantation course and just take in the experience vs care about my score. Plantation is really fun and even more fun to watch next year's PGA Event to see how the pros play it.

 

Those would be my votes for sure though, I personally didn't love the Kaanapali courses. I've played Wailea Emerald as well and the views are great, but not in the same class as Kapalua IMO. 

[RB1240]

Thanks Matt. Unlikely that I will come back to Maui. I played the Royal Kaanapali golf course about 10 years ago and it was fun but nothing spectacular. 

[MattSTL88]

Could always try for the replay rate and sneak them both in! It looks like they are offering a discounted rate for the aeration, so I would probably play the Plantation still if I could only pick one. But really can't go wrong with either, Bay is also great.

[cubuffs]

My take - play Plantation.  Views make the whole day and it is a really fun layout.  You will not walk away disappointed even if the greens aren't rolling normal.

[jlevitt9]

So I've played both a handful of times. Just depends on what you want...

 

Do you want to be able to say you've played a PGA Tour course and watch the tourney or champions and relive it? Plantation.

 

Hot take...I think the Bay is much more enjoyable for a actual round of golf. Plantation can be brutal, especially with wind. Best hole on the course is also on the bay (par 3 over water). 

[Break68]

Play Plantation in the morning, I played in the afternoon a few years ago and the afternoon winds are brutal.

 

[llewol007]

Both are nice with great views. I almost think the Bay has better views. With that being said, playing in aerated greens are horrible regardless of which course it is. You gotta weigh it out or call the pro shop to see how the aeration or at what point it is in. Also, see what type of aeration do they do. Some courses aerate differently and might not be as bad. As with a lot of their courses, wind comes into play the later in the day you tee off. Depending on how far you want to drive, there are courses on the other end of the island past Kihei of course. Great courses on either end of the island with some in the middle i.e Royal, Maui Lani, the Kaanapali course. 

[Pepperturbo]

5 hours ago, RB1240 said:

Hello Fellow Hackers. Should I play the Plantation course (green would have just been aerated) or the Bay course. Any other good options? Thanks in Advance..

I have a place on Maui, visit 1–3 times a year, going soon.  Played every course on the island, Plantation the most.  If aerated I'd pass; too expensive for less than ideal experience.  Play the Bay, it's a great course only different, or Wailea Gold and Emerald, Gold is #1 of Wailea courses.  Old Blue is well-kept too, very wide open easy driver course.  Also, King Kamehameha Golf Club, its pvt. Clubhouse is Marilyn Monroe's house, built by FL Wright.  If you're staying at a hotel, check with the concierge to see if he/she has connections.  Maui Nui is a really nice track, inexpensive too.  I always play the Dunes at Maui Lani GC, it's where regional tournaments are held...gets your attention.  Have a fun trip.

Edited May 2, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[LeftyMatt24]

20 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

I have a place on Maui, visit 1–3 times a year, going soon.  Played every course on the island, Plantation the most.  If aerated I'd pass; too expensive for less than ideal experience.  Play the Bay, it's a great course only different, or Wailea Gold and Emerald, Gold is #1 of Wailea courses.  Old Blue is well-kept too, very wide open easy driver course.  Also, King Kamehameha Golf Club, its pvt. Clubhouse is Marilyn Monroe's house, built by FL Wright.  If you're staying at a hotel, check with the concierge to see if he/she has connections.  Maui Nue is a really nice track, inexpensive too.  I always play the Dunes at Maui Lani GC, it's where regional tournaments are held...gets your attention.  Have a fun trip.

Second King Kamehameha. It’s an awesome course if you can get on and not crowded at all

[Pepperturbo]

Just now, LeftyMatt24 said:

Second King Kamehameha. It’s an awesome course if you can get on and not crowded at all

Yep, fun especially when the trades are up.  My buddy lives on Maui, and is a member.  On average no more than 40 rds per day.  It's been up for sale for a while now. 

 

 

[LeftyMatt24]

2 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Yep, fun especially when the trades are up.  My buddy lives on Maui, and is a member.  On average no more than 40 rds per day.  It's been up for sale for a while now. 

 

 

Yeah when my Dad and I played there was only 12 other golfers for the day. What an awesome experience. He has a place there and usually goes to Dunes and Maui Nui which I agree is great value for the course. 

[Pepperturbo]

17 minutes ago, LeftyMatt24 said:

Yeah when my Dad and I played there was only 12 other golfers for the day. What an awesome experience. He has a place there and usually goes to Dunes and Maui Nui which I agree is great value for the course. 

Maui Nui recently put in a Toptracer range.  Will be checking it out soon.

 

I am hoping pvt Makena golf resort eventually opens their doors.   I played there back when they had North and South courses.  Fantastic tracks with beautiful views, only now there's one course and many custom estates.

[ExposFan]

Maybe I'm missing out on the *name* courses, but when we're in Maui on our annual trip around Memorial Day, I typically play Maui Nui 3-4 times. It's a fun course, super inexpensive for Hawaii golf (especially if you buy a two-play or other card), and close to where we stay (condos just up the hill from Wailea resorts). So I can get a fairly quick round in a few times without feeling like I've abandoned my wife for half the day or more.

 

The only other courses I've played are Dunes, which was fun as well, and Kamehameha, which would have been awesome if I hadn't chosen that day to throw up all over myself (figuratively, that is; it was just an ugly round).

 

Should I branch out to the Blue/Gold/Emerald at least once? I tend to stick with Nui, because I'm happy just getting out to play while I'm on the island. Can't wait to check out the new range, but I hope they didn't lose the boat, goalposts, and washing machine.

[nolayup]

Yes sorry the boat, goalposts, washer, and shipping container are all gone. Such a let down. They did put up a few longboards that are fun to twack with stingers. The 55 gallon barrels are still there but a ways out. Toptracer is nice BUT the mats SUCK despite being new. There’s no base so irons lack da feels and already already the mats are uneven. They really skimpt on imho the most important part. There also is shade now and seating/Pinic benches. 
 

Re: king kamehameha, they still do offer the member for a day deal, but it’s around 3 bills and after 11, precisely when the wind picks up.  Kahili next door is closed but allows walking certain days. Not mown often but good to stretch out the legs. Check is at king k. Fairways are rough length so little roll. But a deal for I think I paid $40 last time

[RB1240]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I should note that I am playing with Dad and might just do the Bay course, which from the sounds of it might be easier with some great views. Will also give me an excuse to come back and play the Plantation course!

[ExposFan]

8 hours ago, nolayup said:

Yes sorry the boat, goalposts, washer, and shipping container are all gone. Such a let down. They did put up a few longboards that are fun to twack with stingers. The 55 gallon barrels are still there but a ways out. Toptracer is nice BUT the mats SUCK despite being new. There’s no base so irons lack da feels and already already the mats are uneven. They really skimpt on imho the most important part. There also is shade now and seating/Pinic benches. 

 

What a bummer—that old range had so much character. I take it there's no grass option at the new range? (Not that there was all that much grass at the old one, but you could find patches.) Thanks for the tip on Kahili.

[RB1240]

So just heard back from the pro at the Plantation course. The entire course is being aerated. Fairways, tee boxs and greens. Bay course it is!

[dwboston]

Wailea Gold and Emerald are worth a play.  Gold is harder, Emerald is much more fun.  We've been to Maui twice and I've played them each a few times.  They used to run a deal at Wailea where you could buy a 3-round card at a discount - that probably doesn't exist anymore.

[ExposFan]

On 5/4/2023 at 12:58 PM, dwboston said:

Wailea Gold and Emerald are worth a play.  Gold is harder, Emerald is much more fun.  We've been to Maui twice and I've played them each a few times.  They used to run a deal at Wailea where you could buy a 3-round card at a discount - that probably doesn't exist anymore.

Bought the three-day unlimited Seahorse Swing pass for the Wailea courses (think it was $540), and loved it—teed off solo at 6:30 or 6:40 on the first two days I played, finished in two hours each time, then got paired up for a second round immediately afterward both days. It's easy to get spousal approval to play 36 when you can say you'll be home by 1. The third day I only played 18, as it was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and a bit more crowded. I should note that the days for your pass don't have to be consecutive—and you can take a longer break between rounds, too.

 

Played Gold three times and Emerald twice, thought they were both great (didn't play all that well, but my scores were similar on both courses, so can't really say one was much tougher than the other). Guessing I'll do it again next year—five rounds for that price was a fantastic deal. And after my last round, one of the course employees told me that the pass is good for the season—meaning even after your three initial days are used, you can pay a discounted rate for your first round and get same-day replays free. Good knowledge for folks who want to squeeze in even more rounds on their trip, or who will be returning during the same year/season (not sure how they define "season," but the guy seemed to think it ran through December).

Edited June 2, 2023 by ExposFan

[southpaw72]

Plantation course is a must IMO. I wish I had time to play it twice while I was there. There so much nuance and fun to it. I’m literally planning a trip back as we speak because I can’t wait to play it with the knowledge I have now. I was there at the end of March. Course is incredible and the lobster Benedict after is calling my name as well. Play in the morning to avoid harsh trade winds and go enjoy yourself. Play 18 from pga tees for the memories. Don’t lose track of Molokai on the greens for pace and break. 
 

Play Bay as well if you can I had time for one round as we were island hopping and had lots of (less important) stuff planned 

Edited June 5, 2023 by southpaw72

[ESOX ZO]

Plantation is well worth it. I see you are playing the Bay Course, I was let down by it minus 2 holes that are pretty awesome. King K is a really fun and different track almost every lie you will be hitting with the ball above or below your feet. Wailea Emerald is a super scenic, perfect resort track that I would recommend doing the twilight time as you save some money on that side. The dunes course also was a good time!

 

You have any other questions let me know I just got back from there a month or so ago!