A Comprehensive Guide to Golfing Maui

Maui has beautiful beaches and sunsets, but it’s also a golfer’s paradise. Golfing in Maui is both beautiful and hard because the courses are carved into volcanic landscapes and along dramatic coastlines. The island’s unique landscape, along with its perfect weather and lush tropical scenery, make it a great place for golfers of all skill levels from all over the world.

This guide is meant to help you plan the best golf vacation on Maui. We’ll talk about the best public golf courses on the island, the best times to visit, and where to stay and what to do while you’re there. This guide to Maui has everything you need to know, whether you’re a pro or just want to play a round in a beautiful setting.

Maui’s Best Public Golf Courses

Maui has a lot of great golf courses, and many of them are open to the public. Famous architects designed these courses, and the views are amazing, so every round is one to remember. You can’t miss these great public golf courses in Maui.

The Kapalua Plantation Course

The Kapalua Plantation Course is always ranked as Hawaii’s best golf course. It is home to the PGA TOUR’s Sentry tournament. Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore made this course a work of art in terms of strategy and natural beauty. It was built on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains and has dramatic changes in elevation and views of the ocean from almost every hole.

• What makes it special: The Plantation Course is famous for its wide, forgiving fairways and huge, rolling greens. The course is a par-73 and is over 7,500 yards long from the championship tees. The 18th hole is the most famous. It’s a 677-yard par-5 that goes downhill toward the ocean, making for an exciting finish to your round.
• Challenges: The wind is the biggest problem for the course. The trade winds can be a significant factor, requiring strategic shot-making and careful club selection. The big changes in height also make it hard to judge distances correctly.

Kapalua Bay Course 

The Kapalua Bay Course is the sister course to the Plantation. It offers a different but just as exciting experience. Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane designed this course, which was Kapalua’s first and has hosted many professional tournaments. The Bay Course is known for its beautiful layout that winds through tall pines and tropical plants.

• Unique Features: The 5th hole, a par-3 that requires a tee shot over the clear waters of Oneloa Bay, is one of its most famous features. People take a lot of pictures of this golf hole. The course has a more traditional resort-style layout than the Plantation Course, with gentler terrain and beautiful views of the coast.
• Challenges: The Bay Course isn’t as long as the Plantation Course, but it does require accuracy. The fairways are narrower and the greens are smaller, so you need to be good with your irons. The winds can also make it hard to choose the right club.

Golf Club Wailea

The Wailea Golf Club is on Maui’s sunny south shore and has three great courses: Gold, Emerald, and Blue. Each course has its own unique personality and has received praise for its design and perfect upkeep.

The Wailea Gold Course

Robert Trent Jones II designed the Wailea Gold Course, which is often thought to be the hardest of the three. This par-72 course is a thinking player’s game, with strategically placed bunkers and natural lava rock hazards. It has been the site of the Senior Skins Game and has great views of the ocean and nearby islands.

Wailea Emerald Course 

The Wailea Emerald Course, also designed by Robert Trent Jones II, is known for being both beautiful and fun to play. The fairways are wider and there are fewer forced carries, so it’s a more forgiving course than the Gold. The lush, tropical landscape is dotted with vibrant flower beds, making it one of the most picturesque courses on the island. It’s a great option for golfers of all skill levels.

The Wailea Blue Course

Arthur Jack Snyder made the first course at Wailea, the “Grand Lady” Wailea Blue Course. It has wide fairways and great views of Mount Haleakalā and the Pacific, making it a classic resort golf course. Golfers who like a more traditional and laid-back experience love the Blue Course.

Golf Courses in Ka’anapali

This resort has two different 18-hole courses and is located on the famous Ka’anapali Beach.

The Royal Ka’anapali Course

The Royal Ka’anapali Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and has a long history of hosting professional events. The course goes along the beach and then up into the foothills of the West Maui Mountains. The layout is hard because there are strategically placed bunkers and water hazards that test every part of your game. The views of the ocean are just amazing.

Ka’anapali Kai Course

Arthur Hills redesigned the Ka’anapali Kai Course, which is known for being fun to play and having a strategic layout. It has more forgiving greens and natural canals than its royal sibling. It’s a great choice for a round of golf that is both fun and beautiful.

The Best Time to Play Golf in Maui

The weather in Maui is nice all year round, so it’s a great place to play golf at any time. But you should think about some seasonal things when you plan your trip.

• Dry Season (April to October): This is Maui’s summer, which means warm, sunny weather and less rain. It’s the perfect time to play golf because the days are long and sunny. This is also the peak tourist season, so expect courses and accommodations to be busier. 
• Wet Season (November to March): This is the winter season, when the weather gets a little cooler and it rains more often, though usually only for a short time. You can still play a lot of golf, but be ready for some wet weather now and then. A lot of people come here during this time to get away from the cold.

For the best combination of weather and availability, consider the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October. During these months, there will be fewer people, more tee times available, and maybe even better deals on places to stay.

Where to Stay: Places to Stay for Golfers

There are many places to stay in Maui, from high-end resorts with golf course access to more affordable hotels and vacation rentals.

• Luxury Resorts: If you want the best golf vacation, think about staying at a resort that is right on or near a golf course. In West Maui, the best resorts for playing golf are in Kapalua and Ka’anapali. The Wailea resorts in South Maui are a great place to stay while you play the Gold, Emerald, and Blue courses. Many of these resorts have special golf deals just for Maui.
• Mid-Range Hotels: Kihei and Lahaina are two places that have a lot of mid-range hotels that are still close to the best golf courses. These choices let you stay comfortably without paying the high price of a luxury resort.
• Vacation Rentals: A vacation rental, like a condo or house, can be a great choice for families or groups because it gives you more space and the comforts of home. There are rentals all over the island, so you can choose from a variety of courses.

Other Things to Do in Maui Besides Golf

Golfing in Maui is great, but the island has so much more to offer. Make sure to set aside time to see its beautiful nature and lively culture.

• Snorkeling and Diving: The waters around Maui are full of marine life. Molokini Crater and Black Rock in Ka’anapali are two of the most popular places to snorkel and dive.
• Hiking: See beautiful rainforests, bamboo forests, and volcanic landscapes. Hiking in Haleakalā National Park and the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls are both once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
• Road to Hana: The famous scenic drive with winding roads, beautiful waterfalls, and stunning views of the coast. It’s a trip that lasts all day and shows off the island’s natural beauty.
• Beaches: Maui’s beaches are great for relaxing, swimming, and surfing. They range from the golden sands of Ka’anapali Beach to the black sands of Wai’anapanapa State Park.
• Family Fun: Go whale watching in the winter, go to a traditional Hawaiian luau, or visit the Maui Ocean Center to learn about the local marine ecosystem.#

How to Plan Your Maui Golf Trip

A little planning can make your golf vacation go smoothly and be fun. Here are some tips to help you prepare. 

• Make sure to book your tee times ahead of time: A lot of people play on Maui’s best courses, especially during peak season. Book your tee times well in advance to secure your preferred slots. 
• Packing Essentials: Bring clothes that are light and breathable and good for warm weather. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a rain jacket in case it rains.
• Transportation: The easiest way to get around Maui and go from one golf course to another is to rent a car. A map of Maui golf courses can help you figure out how to get from one place to another.
• Find Packages: A lot of resorts and travel companies offer Maui golf packages that include a place to stay, tee times, and sometimes even a car rental. These can be very useful and cost-effective.

Your Last Golf Adventure Waits

There is no better place to play golf than Maui. The world-class courses, breathtaking natural beauty, and friendly spirit of aloha make it the best place to go on your next golf trip. Every round is an adventure, from the steep cliffs of Kapalua to the perfect fairways of Wailea. Are you ready to start planning your dream golf trip to Maui? Hawaii Guide Hub is all about making Hawaiian vacations that you’ll never forget. Our local experts can help you plan a trip that fits your style and budget by including the best golf courses, places to stay, and things to do. Call us today to start making plans for your trip to paradise.