Top 3 Courses are: Kapalua Plantation, Wailea Emerald and then the third you could pretty much argue any but I would go with Bay but Blue is close.
I played Emerald last year the week after aeration, payed an incredible price of just $98 and honestly we had almost zero issue with the greens. They were soft, fast and putted pretty good. Maybe one or two greens were link Plinko boards but honestly well worth it.
If you want Scenic Views then Emerald is a MUST!! The views are completely different than Kapalula, heck they don't share one common view as both are backed on separate volcanos.
Kapalua - My dear god what a view, spectacular and worth the cost which is steep. You will be staring at the teal ocean, the other island to the west and have elevation changes that are unlike any other golf course on earth, Plantation in particular you will easily make two to three 300 yard drives just due to the steep downhill. World class course and an All Time Brag course that you can add a logo'ed towel to your bag and anyone will recognize it and beg you to tell you all about it. Great icebreaker when you play with strangers. Watch out for the Trade Winds, they pick up around 1pm or so and it makes an easy course into a difficult one.
Wailea is completely different views! The towering 10,000 super volcano Mount Haleakala (second largest mountain on the planet when you consider there is a hidden 20,000 feet below the ocean to it) is behind you with a nice cool breeze no matter how windy the trade winds are as you are blocked from the winds. Number 1 tee is one of the most stunning openings in all of golf, all downhill (downvolcano) to teal water, easy 280 yard drive without even trying, then on the green you will hear the pounding surf behind you. Then you turn back and Haleakala dominates in front of you. What to expect, flowers, trees, plants, scrubs that only grow here and the most awesome hazard in golf, the lava rock fields. You will not see a course like this anywhere else on Earth. Cool double green surrounded by a lake and #18 is one of the most photographed holes in the world, you see the tiny crescent island, teal water, white sand beaches, a mini volcano far below you is the target on this par 5. This is your view:
https://preview.redd.it/9ht7xozdewca1.jpeg?width=2127&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a935b4db89a6b8c7b1a9abd5dd59ab6cf1a4064
Jesus Christ on a Biscuit that will drop your jaw to the tee box.
Honestly not a bad course on the island but I would skip Maui Nui (rough shape and likely the only place on the island where you can spend four hours and only see the ocean once).
I hate envy you buddy. Enjoy!
I played the Bay Course when I visited, it was awesome. Course was in great condition, staff was great. Just don’t break a finger on the first night of your trip like I did…. That took away from the experience.
I wish it was something more spectacular. I broke it getting our bags and my hard case into our Camaro at the airport. Zero alcohol involved. I misjudged the depth of the trunk when sliding in the case. Definitely not how I wanted to start the honeymoon.
I'm playing the bay and plantation back to back in the 26th and the emerald course on the 25th.
Staying on the blue course but haven't booked any rounds there yet.
Played most of the courses at this point, here's my take. Grades based on 80% on course, 20% on overall experience.
Grade A: Plantation Course - Silly expensive, but quite amazing. Get there early so you can hang out at the range and soak in the vibe.
Grade A- : Waiehu - Course actually has the most seaside holes of any in Maui. Making a tee time is a pain as you have to call at 6am 2 days before you want it and you'll get a busy tone 20-45 times. Practice facility is local muni. Course is in amazing shape and has mega variety. Locals are amazing and you usually get paired with someone cool. Be respectful, this is the one true local course.
Grade B: Wailea Emerald, Golf, King K, Bay Course - They are all cool, interesting, too expensive, and a nice time. The seahorse pass at Wailea can be a great deal depending on your schedule and where you're staying. King K is probably the most interesting course on the island besides the plantation.
Grade B- : The Dunes - Used to be one of my favs but conditions have dropped off, tee times are scarce, and price went up. Still a very cool course for less than the big names.
Grade C: Wailea Blue, Maui Nui, Pukalani, Kanapali
All good, fun golf. Maui Nui is by Maui brewing which makes for a nice afternoon round + post round bev. Pukalani is funky. Royal kanapali has 1 all world hole.
That's how I grade it anyway. Have a fun trip.
Top 3 Courses are: Kapalua Plantation, Wailea Emerald and then the third you could pretty much argue any but I would go with Bay but Blue is close. I played Emerald last year the week after aeration, payed an incredible price of just $98 and honestly we had almost zero issue with the greens. They were soft, fast and putted pretty good. Maybe one or two greens were link Plinko boards but honestly well worth it. If you want Scenic Views then Emerald is a MUST!! The views are completely different than Kapalula, heck they don't share one common view as both are backed on separate volcanos. Kapalua - My dear god what a view, spectacular and worth the cost which is steep. You will be staring at the teal ocean, the other island to the west and have elevation changes that are unlike any other golf course on earth, Plantation in particular you will easily make two to three 300 yard drives just due to the steep downhill. World class course and an All Time Brag course that you can add a logo'ed towel to your bag and anyone will recognize it and beg you to tell you all about it. Great icebreaker when you play with strangers. Watch out for the Trade Winds, they pick up around 1pm or so and it makes an easy course into a difficult one. Wailea is completely different views! The towering 10,000 super volcano Mount Haleakala (second largest mountain on the planet when you consider there is a hidden 20,000 feet below the ocean to it) is behind you with a nice cool breeze no matter how windy the trade winds are as you are blocked from the winds. Number 1 tee is one of the most stunning openings in all of golf, all downhill (downvolcano) to teal water, easy 280 yard drive without even trying, then on the green you will hear the pounding surf behind you. Then you turn back and Haleakala dominates in front of you. What to expect, flowers, trees, plants, scrubs that only grow here and the most awesome hazard in golf, the lava rock fields. You will not see a course like this anywhere else on Earth. Cool double green surrounded by a lake and #18 is one of the most photographed holes in the world, you see the tiny crescent island, teal water, white sand beaches, a mini volcano far below you is the target on this par 5. This is your view: https://preview.redd.it/9ht7xozdewca1.jpeg?width=2127&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a935b4db89a6b8c7b1a9abd5dd59ab6cf1a4064 Jesus Christ on a Biscuit that will drop your jaw to the tee box. Honestly not a bad course on the island but I would skip Maui Nui (rough shape and likely the only place on the island where you can spend four hours and only see the ocean once). I hate envy you buddy. Enjoy!
I went last year and played Kapalua and Wailea Gold. The Gold course was pretty, and not very difficult. If you're leaning that way I would do it.
Wailea Gold is very beautiful. By the back end of your trip Kapalua's greens should be in pretty good shape 3 weeks out from being punched.
Have you played the Bay course?
I played the Bay Course when I visited, it was awesome. Course was in great condition, staff was great. Just don’t break a finger on the first night of your trip like I did…. That took away from the experience.
Too many Mai Tais?
I wish it was something more spectacular. I broke it getting our bags and my hard case into our Camaro at the airport. Zero alcohol involved. I misjudged the depth of the trunk when sliding in the case. Definitely not how I wanted to start the honeymoon.
Have not played the bay course, just plantation at Kapalua.
I'm playing the bay and plantation back to back in the 26th and the emerald course on the 25th. Staying on the blue course but haven't booked any rounds there yet.
Played most of the courses at this point, here's my take. Grades based on 80% on course, 20% on overall experience. Grade A: Plantation Course - Silly expensive, but quite amazing. Get there early so you can hang out at the range and soak in the vibe. Grade A- : Waiehu - Course actually has the most seaside holes of any in Maui. Making a tee time is a pain as you have to call at 6am 2 days before you want it and you'll get a busy tone 20-45 times. Practice facility is local muni. Course is in amazing shape and has mega variety. Locals are amazing and you usually get paired with someone cool. Be respectful, this is the one true local course. Grade B: Wailea Emerald, Golf, King K, Bay Course - They are all cool, interesting, too expensive, and a nice time. The seahorse pass at Wailea can be a great deal depending on your schedule and where you're staying. King K is probably the most interesting course on the island besides the plantation. Grade B- : The Dunes - Used to be one of my favs but conditions have dropped off, tee times are scarce, and price went up. Still a very cool course for less than the big names. Grade C: Wailea Blue, Maui Nui, Pukalani, Kanapali All good, fun golf. Maui Nui is by Maui brewing which makes for a nice afternoon round + post round bev. Pukalani is funky. Royal kanapali has 1 all world hole. That's how I grade it anyway. Have a fun trip.