Solo Golf in Maui

[Rittyrich]

The good news - Going to Maui for a week in December (Christmas).

The so/so news - I'll be there with in-laws.

The bad news - none of them play golf. (wait, maybe that's a good thing).

 

Never been to Maui before. Never been to Hawaii before. Never gone anywhere like this and played solo.

 

Any tips, tricks, advice, do's, don't's, etc. are much appreciated.

 

Edit: I realize there are already tons of topics on this, but I was hoping for advice particularly tailored to the solo golfer.

[Pepperturbo]

Its the best island. I've been regularly visiting since in the 90s, as a single and married. Nothing all that different from traveling with another person. Best to use a hotel concierge for tee times or when you call the course for tee times, ask to be put with other golfers. Also, there are a few courses (Kapalua "Bay" is one) that have skins games around 12-1pm on Fridays.. Lots of fun and good place to meet other golfers; just bring $$$

[duffer888]

All depends on which side of the island you are staying, West or South. Unless you are staying in Hana. There is nothing there.

If you are going to the west side of the island, just relax. The traffic sucks on the way to Lahaina and can get aggravating, but remember you are on vacation, so just relax and enjoy the view.

If you are staying on the West side, I would play Kapalua. In December, I'd imagine they would be getting the Plantation course ready for the whatever tournament that is the first of the year. Bay course is worthwhile as it has a few holes right on the ocean. Plus a little cheaper and less crowded. Kaanapali does not look interesting to me and has to be a tourist trap.

If you go hiking, be very careful of a cloudburst over the volcano and obey the signs. Flash flood can kill you.

Go to the town in the middle of the island to have local food.

Unless you plan on doing the whole resort thing, plan to stop at the Costco just past the airport to pick up supplies. Water, snacks, etc. or anything else you don't want to pack.

[jnradioactive]

enjoy meeting new people and making new friends is the only advice i have for you...

[Rittyrich]

[quote name='duffer888' timestamp='1383586750' post='8100284']
All depends on which side of the island you are staying, West or South. Unless you are staying in Hana. There is nothing there.

If you are going to the west side of the island, just relax. The traffic sucks on the way to Lahaina and can get aggravating, but remember you are on vacation, so just relax and enjoy the view.

If you are staying on the West side, I would play Kapalua. In December, I'd imagine they would be getting the Plantation course ready for the whatever tournament that is the first of the year. Bay course is worthwhile as it has a few holes right on the ocean. Plus a little cheaper and less crowded. Kaanapali does not look interesting to me and has to be a tourist trap.

If you go hiking, be very careful of a cloudburst over the volcano and obey the signs. Flash flood can kill you.

Go to the town in the middle of the island to have local food.

Unless you plan on doing the whole resort thing, plan to stop at the Costco just past the airport to pick up supplies. Water, snacks, etc. or anything else you don't want to pack.
[/quote]

We are staying in a condo at the Kaanapali Alli. I think the Plantation Course closes on the 28th of December so I'll have to get in a round before hand.

Also, I'm certainly not shy to play golf with strangers or make friends. I was mostly just curious for anyone's experience doing so, the best times to play, ways to get deals, that sort of thing.

[myspinonit]

GolfNow and EZlinks might have single spots if you want to plan ahead for a teetime and you could also try phoning Standby Golf on Maui for a shorter window as a single. That said, many of the courses will have room for singles, and you probably are best to phone them directly for the best way to go.

As you say there are tons of threads on course recommendations, so I won't get into that. I'm going over Nov 25 and returning Dec 15, so if you want to PM me for any particular course enquiries after I get back, no prob. I won't be planning on doing the higher end ones (and won't likely be going out as a single).

[Rittyrich]

[quote name='myspinonit' timestamp='1383664702' post='8104540']
GolfNow and EZlinks might have single spots if you want to plan ahead for a teetime and you could also try phoning Standby Golf on Maui for a shorter window as a single. That said, many of the courses will have room for singles, and you probably are best to phone them directly for the best way to go.

As you say there are tons of threads on course recommendations, so I won't get into that. I'm going over Nov 25 and returning Dec 15, so if you want to PM me for any particular course enquiries after I get back, no prob. I won't be planning on doing the higher end ones (and won't likely be going out as a single).
[/quote]

Cool. Thanks for the tips on this thread and the other one I commented on.

I think I'm going to play Plantation one day and do 36 on Lanai one day. I've never had to use GolfNow, etc. so I'll be sure to check those out too.

[vintage golfer]

Check with Maui Golf in Kahului; last time I was in they were offering 36 hole packages on Lanai for something in the neighborhood of $ 300.00, which included the cost of the ferry. That is not too far off the kama'aina price.

[rockinar]

[quote name='Rittyrich' timestamp='1383593766' post='8100870']
[quote name='duffer888' timestamp='1383586750' post='8100284']
All depends on which side of the island you are staying, West or South. Unless you are staying in Hana. There is nothing there.

If you are going to the west side of the island, just relax. The traffic sucks on the way to Lahaina and can get aggravating, but remember you are on vacation, so just relax and enjoy the view.

If you are staying on the West side, I would play Kapalua. In December, I'd imagine they would be getting the Plantation course ready for the whatever tournament that is the first of the year. Bay course is worthwhile as it has a few holes right on the ocean. Plus a little cheaper and less crowded. Kaanapali does not look interesting to me and has to be a tourist trap.

If you go hiking, be very careful of a cloudburst over the volcano and obey the signs. Flash flood can kill you.

Go to the town in the middle of the island to have local food.

Unless you plan on doing the whole resort thing, plan to stop at the Costco just past the airport to pick up supplies. Water, snacks, etc. or anything else you don't want to pack.
[/quote]

We are staying in a condo at the Kaanapali Alli. I think the Plantation Course closes on the 28th of December so I'll have to get in a round before hand.

Also, I'm certainly not shy to play golf with strangers or make friends. I was mostly just curious for anyone's experience doing so, the best times to play, ways to get deals, that sort of thing.
[/quote]

Golf Now has the best deals. Also you can get discount cards at Costco for the Kaanapali course. Also Kai course has a super twilight thats only like $40. They dont advertise it. You have to call and ask. GolfNow wont show super twilight prices.

[rockinar]

[quote name='vintage golfer' timestamp='1384142977' post='8130100']
Check with Maui Golf in Kahului; last time I was in they were offering 36 hole packages on Lanai for something in the neighborhood of $ 300.00, which included the cost of the ferry. That is not too far off the kama'aina price.
[/quote]

This is a MUST! Most are too focused on Plantation and ignore Lanai.

[Pepperturbo]

I paid $175 during prime time for King Kamehameha, $275 pp@ Plantation, and spent over $375 pp on Lania trip. Lania trip starts too dam early, and 2 rds of 18 is a must, to make it worth the trip, unless you stay on Lania for a night. The other issue that people need to be aware of, the Koele Norman course in the hills, looses greens way too often, and its hard to get them to say that up front. But, its worth doing it once, just to say you did.