Maui trip September 2023 report

southpaw72 · September 13, 2023

Just getting back from a little over a week on Maui for our honeymoon. We stayed in Kihei which is an area we didn’t spend much time at all on previous trip. I can say I certainly prefer the west side of Maui but for obvious reasons that was not an option this trip.

First and foremost we were extremely welcomed everywhere we went. People were happy to see tourist and business even with us being in a relatively more “local” area. Within a day we felt silly for considering that cancelling the trip would have been the right thing to do after being immersed in the area.

Now to the golf I didn’t get to play as much as I would have liked but I’ll take three “golf days” on a honeymoon lol.

First up was King K. Played decent, ball striking was there all day, fairways were plentiful…. Putting was atrocious. I haven’t putted that poorly since I played the plantation course last trip to Maui. I’ve decided I simply can’t putt on the islands. The smaller greens were a challenge and obviously the winds in the afternoon were a fickle beast. Clubbed up 4x at times. I really enjoyed the layout (I’m a sucker for water features too) conditions were good, some dry spots on fairways but greens were great and nothing negative to say without being a snob. My one regret was playing here first and only playing it once. Great first hole and finishing hole. Par 3’s were a good mix. I really enjoyed this course and like it more and more as I reflect on it. Played in 2.5 hrs as a single. Everyone from pro shop, snack shop, to starter was awesome. Really enjoyed everything about my time there. I went back to stock up on gifts for friends before catching the flight home.

Next round was Wailea Emerald. Stunning course. Absolute PERFECT condition. Again, not a fun time on the greens but no one to blame but myself . Don’t kill me for this but I didn’t find it overly memorable outside of the views and perfect condition. I know that sounds crazy but it really didn’t dazzle me like I thought it would. I think it’s possible I held it to unreasonable expectations. I’m not sure why I didn’t love it more than I did. Would definitely play again but I’m not counting down the days until I get the chance to so to speak. Played under 3hrs as a single. With a 6:50 time

Last round was Maui nui on a whim. Couldn’t decide between here or the dunes but it was closer so that was the tie breaker. The course was the epitome of laid back Hawaiian atmosphere. No rush, not too busy, just simple golf. Range had top tracer and had plenty of targets but the range balls had seen more than anyone ball ever should. Simply put it was a fun course. Greens were slower and I found a little confidence in them so that was alright with me. There were some greens in rougher shape than others, seems like some played super firm and others super soft. A couple holes on the back had some lines dug up and hoses out for hand watering. 17 was closed. Overall it wasn’t a resort course but I would be happy to play it again. Played in 2:40 as a single again teeing off around 6:45. Again all staff was awesome and the layout was spread out in such a way I imagine even when it’s crowded you don’t feel too bunched up so to speak. My only regret here was not making this my first round to get distances dialed and tuned up for the other two courses.

ESOX ZO · September 14, 2023

Glad you made it out there and had a great trip! King K is a good time indeed, all the slopes got the best of me.

southpaw72 · September 14, 2023

44 minutes ago, ESOX ZO said:

Glad you made it out there and had a great trip! King K is a good time indeed, all the slopes got the best of me.

It’s funny when we left I told my wife “ I like this course but idk if I’ll make it a point to play it again” now it’s right there with plantation course on my Maui must play again for next trip.

Edited September 14, 2023 by southpaw72