Golfing in the Aloha State

My trip to Maui culminated in an unforgettable round of golf at one of the world’s most iconic courses: the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club, home of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions.

This round was the perfect capstone to my three-week vacation filled with scenic views, family time, and five rounds of golf across the island. While the Plantation Course takes center stage in this article, I’ll also highlight some of Maui’s other courses, all of which offer their own charm and challenges.

Waiehu Municipal Golf Course

The Waiehu Municipal Golf Course is easily the best bang-for-your-buck on Maui. With breathtaking ocean views and unbeatable rates, especially for locals, it’s no surprise this course is a favorite among residents. Tee times are only available by calling the pro shop,which adds a rustic, local charm to the experience. For tourists, Waiehu remains one of the most affordable options on the island and ranks in the Top 5courses in Maui.

Wailea Golf Club

I also played at Wailea’s Gold and Blue Courses, two standout tracks in South Maui. While the Gold Course is often touted as the toughest, I’d argue that the Blue Course is equally challenging for those who struggle off the tee. Personally, I preferred the Gold Course for its design, but the Maroon Course (which I didn’t get to play) is a favorite among locals and my sister alike. Regardless of which Wailea course you choose, you’re guaranteed a memorable experience with friendly staff, stunning views,and excellent course conditions—all at prices far more affordable than Kapalua or Kaanapali.

Royal Kaanapali Golf Course

‍The Royal Kaanapali Golf Course is often described as one of the hardest on Maui, second only to Kapalua Plantation. I would agree—though not entirely. While some holes boast challenging elevation changes, others are disappointingly flat, reminiscent of Florida-style golf. Additionally, the course’s pricing isn’t particularly tourist-friendly, which detracts from the overall experience.

Kapalua Plantation Course

Kapalua Golf Club is more than just a golf course—it’s a full-fledged resort, complete with hotels, vacation properties, restaurants, and a second course, the Bay Course. While the Bay Course features several holes that hug the Pacific Ocean, I only had the chance to play the Plantation.

The Plantation Course clubhouse is surprisingly understated for a venue that hosts PGA Tour events, featuring a small locker room and a relatively simple design. However, the service is exceptional. The cart staff ensures you’re well-equipped with unlimited towels, tees, markers, and water bottles, and their friendly demeanor immediately sets the tone for the round.

The Front Nine: Excitement from the Start

As I pulled up to the first tee, the rain began to subside, allowing us to start our round on time. The 1st hole at the Plantation Course is one of the best on the property. A slight dogleg left with an approach shot over a gulch, it’s a strong opening test. The enormous green slopes left to right, demanding precise putting. I found myself on the wrong side of the hole, leading to an early bogey. Not the start I hoped for, but given the wet and windy conditions, my goal was to break 40 on the front nine.

The 2nd hole, a par-three, may seem straightforward at first glance but plays deceptively tough. Missing the green can leave a challenging up-and-down. Things got even more interesting on the 3rd and 4th holes, both par-fours, where the course begins to climb up the dormant volcano. Strategic tee shots are key on these holes. My round took a hit on the 4th, where a strong right-to-left wind combined with the sloping fairway pushed my ball into a hazard. Wet, windy, and whiny—that summed up my front nine to this point.

The 5th and 6th holes are nothing short of iconic. These two holes provide incredible views of one another, separated by a steep drop-off resembling a valley. The 5th, a relatively short par-five, features a single small fairway bunker smack in the middle of the landing area. Naturally, I found it. Attempting to go for the green in two, I caught the lip of the bunker and had to settle for a disappointing par.

The 6th hole, a par-four, offers the tantalizing possibility of driving the green, but a strong headwind made that option unrealistic. My approach shot fell short, leaving me with a lengthy 60-foot putt that proved impossible to two-putt. Another missed par putt added to my growing frustrations.

The 7th hole, one of the easiest driving holes on the course, finally gave me a good look at birdie. Unfortunately, another lip-out kept me stuck at 5-over.

The 8th, a picturesque par-three, is perhaps the second most scenic hole on the front nine. Depending on the wind and pin location, this hole can range from a scoring opportunity to a significant challenge. A great tee shot gave me another birdie chance, which I narrowly missed.

The 9th, a par-five, is a puzzle for first-timers. The lack of a clear target off the tee makes it hard to know where to aim, and long hitters must avoid the rough that merges with the 1st hole. My drive found the perfect spot, but my attempt to reach the green in two came up short, leaving me in a poor lie. My chip shot didn’t help, leaving me with a 20-foot putt that—of course—lipped out.

Not the front nine I had envisioned, but with the rain clearing and my game starting to come together, I was optimistic heading into the back nine.

The Back Nine: Battling the Winds

The transition to the 10th hole is a journey in itself, requiring golfers to drive under a road and past the practice range. This short, uphill par-four proved to be my undoing. A headwind ate up my wedge approach, leaving me short-sided and with an impossible up-and-down.

The 11th hole, a par-three, is one of the Plantation Course’s most famous, regularly featured on TV during PGA Tour events. The views are stunning, though not quite as breathtaking as they appear on TV. Underestimating how exposed this hole is to the wind, my tee shot fell woefully short, leading to another bogey.

The 12th and 13th holes, a pair of par-fours running alongside each other, offer back-to-back birdie opportunities. While neither is particularly memorable, they provided a welcome respite from my earlier struggles. Though I didn’t capitalize with birdies, I managed to stop my streak of bogeys.

The 14th hole, a par-four, is driveable in ideal conditions but played uphill and into the wind during my round. The narrow landing area, made even tighter by the right-hand tee placement, left little margin for error. My drive found a greenside bunker in a half-plugged lie. A solid bunker shot gave me yet another birdie chance, which I failed to convert.

The 15th hole, a par-five, was the highlight of my day and one of the coolest risk-reward holes I’ve ever played. With the green perched on the left side of the fairway and guarded by a hazard, this hole begs you to go for it in two. A solid drive left me with a 250-yard approach into the wind. I took the risk, missing the green just left of the hazard, but executed a savvy up-and-down to secure my first birdie of the day. The unique challenge of this hole lies in the lay-up—it leaves a tricky, blind wedge shot to an uphill green. Easily my favorite hole on the course.

The 16th, a par-four, is a bunker-laden challenge. My drive caught a rake in a fairway bunker, leaving me with a tough approach. A solid shot nearly gave me an unlikely birdie, but I was content with a par.

The 17th, another par-four, is notoriously tough for the pros, but I didn’t quite see why unless it’s playing into the wind. A well-placed tee shot left me short of the hazard, and I managed a stress-free par.

The 18th hole is nothing short of magical. The dramatic elevation drop, stunning views, and risk-reward nature make it one of the greatest finishing holes I’ve ever played. As the sun broke through the clouds, I unleashed a “hellacious seed” off the tee, sending my ball to the right edge of the fairway. My wedge approach found the green, and I finished with a satisfying two-putt birdie to cap off my round.

Maui's Crown Jewel

Overall, my round at the Kapalua Plantation Course was incredible despite battling harsh weather conditions throughout much of the day. However, my experience ended on a disappointing note. As I wrapped up my round on the iconic 18th hole, I realized my rangefinder had gone missing. Initially, I thought I must have dropped it on the 17th hole, so I retraced my steps and drove back to the fairway where I had hit my approach shot. After coming up empty, I remembered using it on the 18th tee to measure the distance to the clubhouse.

It dawned on me that my playing partner’s significant other may have taken the rangefinder from my cart while I was teeing off on the 18th. The couple had been taking videos and pictures throughout the hole, and they left in a hurry after we finished the round, while I was still searching back on the 17th. The realization stung, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a small blemish on an otherwise memorable day.

In truth, I likely experienced the Plantation Course at its least ideal conditions. The weather was rainy, with gusts of wind over 25 mph, and the greens and tees were still recovering from aeration. The fairways, particularly those with dramatic elevation changes like the 7th and 18th, varied greatly— some offered plenty of roll while others were softened by the rain. And to top it off, my game didn’t truly come together until the final few holes.

But even with all those factors working against me, I still found the course layout phenomenal. Every hole offers something unique, and the strategic design ensures you’re never bored, no matter how many times you play. Once I can afford to play this course two or three times in a week, I’m confident I’ll fall completely in love with it.

Maui’s golf scene is truly a spectacle, and the Plantation Course rightfully sits at the pinnacle. For those visiting the islands, I understand the dilemma of choosing between spending time on a stunning beach, exploring a scenic hike, or bringing your clubs for a round of golf. However, my advice is simple: play at least once. If Kapalua is too far or out of budget, try Wailea or Waiehu— they both offer rental clubs, and the experience is well worth it.

For me, having family on the island means I never have to make that choice—I can enjoy both the beautiful Hawaiian landscape and its world-class golf courses. Kapalua and Maui will forever remain on my bucket list of places to return, not just for the unforgettable golf but for the sense of paradise that surrounds every swing.

Enjoy some pictures of my trip to Maui including some highlights of the inactive volcano Haleakala and the Road to Hana. Mahalo!

Maui Island & Course Gallery