Hawaii Golf

[Bushy]

Hawaii Golf courses oahu and Maui

I am visiting Oahu and Maui in early May just wanted to get your thoughts on these courses or others you think are good. I think this is my list but as always things are subject to change thanks Bushy

1. Royal Kunia Country Club

2. Luana Hills

3. Waiehu Municipal (poormans pebble Beach)

4. Elleair Golf club

5. The Dunes @ Maui lani

6. Kaanapali south

[TracyS]

I can comment on the Oahu courses. Royal Kunia and Luana Hills are both good choices. Royal Kunia is a little more forgiving than Luana. It has a pretty fun layout and some nice views. Luana is carved out of the jungle so if you hit a crappy shot, you are most likely going to be dropping a ball and taking a penalty. Most of the junk plays as a lateral hazard. It's a fun course though, just manage it well and you''ll have a real good time. It's a beautiful there and it's a cool experience playing in the middle of a rainforest. The vegetation is thick and it's everywhere. Make sure you put on mosquito repellent. I haven't played there in a while so I'm not sure what condition it will be in, but I'm sure it'll be fine. Maybe someone else who has played it recently can chime in.

There's a few others I'd consider as well:

Makaha (East or West) There's great sunsets and scenery out on the West Side.

Turtle Bay (Palmer or Fazio) They're right on the Ocean. The Fazio is a short fun links course. I haven't played the Palmer but I heard it was better than the Fazio.

Koolau if you're up for a monster challenge.

Other than that, eat a plate lunch at Rainbow Drive In or Ono's Hawaiian Food - both are on Kapahulu Ave.

Take a surfing lesson then get in the water as often as you can. And finally, don't stay in Waikiki the whole time.

Hope you have a great trip.

PM me if you want more info (especially about food.)

 

-Tracy

[freddiec]

I'd skip the Kanapali courses. I've stayed at the marriot there and was not overly impressed with the courses there. I've played up the street at the Village course and Plantation (Kapalua) and would highly reccomend the either. I absolutely loved the Village course at Kapaula. Its a very unique layout and unforgettable experience. You play up through the pineapple plantations and the views are second to none. Its a Palmer design course and it's awesome. The Plantation course is also a thrill ride.

[chuckyuen]

The Dunes at Maui Lani is a very fun course. Very different than all the other courses in Hawaii, and it's actually laid out on real sand dunes, as the center of island, Maui, is really a bunch of sand that connects two volcanic craters. My other favorite course on Maui is Makena North. A great course that starts off near sea level and climbs pretty high up into the hills. I'd rather play the North than the South, even though the South is their signature course. Any of the Kapalua courses are fun, can't go wrong there.

 

As for Oahu, I agree with Tracys's recommendations. Luana Hills is a beautiful course that is fun to play, and shouldn't be too hard if you're hitting the ball straight that day. Not too long of a layout, so you don't have to hit driver on all but a few holes. I highly recommend the Palmer course at Turtle Bay, that's where they play the Senior and LPGA tournaments, and where the Big Break V was filmed. It's a great layout, and can be challenging, especially on windy days.

 

Any course you play in Hawaii, remember the grain on the greens can be pretty strong, especially those on Maui. They always break towards the ocean and the setting sun, so pay attention to the grain, and some putts will even pull a little up hill.

[freddiec]

I second Makena North. I've played both the North and South and the North is much better and the views are spectacular. A few of the holes are stunning, its about 45 min. to an hour from the Kanapali area. Both times when I was in maui I stayed at the Grand Waleau Resort and Spa accross the Street. Fortunaltely the co. i worked for picked up the tab. Its pretty much Disney World Hawaii style, the hotel as out of this world. That area is heaven on earth.

[illinikyle]

I would skip Kaanapali in favor of any course at Kapalua.

[Ascan]

I've only playd the three courses at Kapalua and would highly recommend all of them

[camquest]

Ko Olina on Oahu

 

Makena and Wailea on Maui

[elcid93]

I would skip Kaanapali in favor of any course at Kapalua.

 

Absolutely! Kapalua was awesome and Kaanapali doesn't compare. All 3 courses at Kapalua were great with the Plantation being the best. Plus, its like 3 minutes from Kaanapali.

[themouth1]

I go over every month for work. I always play the Dunes. Great layout and a good price. The greens come and go and were just punched three weeks ago. Makena is also a great course. The only issue with Maui golf is the traffic sometimes to get to the Lahina area, it can take a good while to get to the southern courses or over to the Dunes. All in all, I don't think there is a bad course on the island.