Maui Golf Courses
Wailea Resort offers three championship courses.
Wailea Blue is a gracious course ranked among
America's best by Golf Digest. The Blue's fairways offer stunning
views of the ocean and Mt. Haleakala. It features several fountains
and lakes, an abundance of colorful hibiscus, wiliwili trees,
bougainvillea and plumeria. While it has challenged some of
the finest professional players in the world, it also offers
a measure of forgiveness in its wider fairways and large greens.
Wailea Gold is the most challenging of Wailea's
trio. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., it has ranked among
the country's best new courses by
Golf Magazine and
Golf Digest, and voted one of the best-designed by
Conde Nast Traveler. Jones flavored the Gold with elements
of classic course design, and finished with a rugged, natural
look. Throughout are stark lava rock outcroppings, indigenous
grasses, an abundance of kiawe (a relative of mesquite), and
remnants of papohaku (prehistoric lava rock walls).
Wailea
Emerald is the third in the trio of Wailea Courses,
and has been rated one of the best new courses by
Golf Magazine
and
Golf Digest, as well as one of North America's
most women-friendly by
Golf for Women. Akin to a lush
tropical playground, this is a superbly designed course created
for pure golf enjoyment. Measuring 6,825 yds from the back,
the Emerald features four to six tee boxes on every hole, allowing
players to tailor the course to their playing level. Notable
features include a large double green shared by holes #10 and
#17.
The Kaanapali North and Kaanapali South Golf Courses
are two 18-hole championship layouts. Designed by Robert Trent
Jones, Sr., The North Course was named by
Golf Digest magazine as "one of the top 10 courses in
Hawaii." This par-72 layout measures 7,179 yds from the
championship tees and 6,136 from the men's tee. It offers
scenic fairways, rolling greens and panoramic views of the
Pacific. Like the North Course, The South Course begins
at sea level and winds up the slopes of the West Maui Mountains
to the 200-ft level. The South Course, at 6,250 from the regular
tees, is much shorter than the North. The layout is a traditional
par-72, with four par threes, 10 par fours, and four par fives.
Like the North Course, tradewinds can be a factor, as can
the slope of the fairways.
The Makena Resort boasts 36 holes of pristine
golf, designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
Opened in 1993 to rave reviews, The North Course feels more
like a nature walk than a golf course, with captivating views
of the blue Pacific. Hawaiian rock walls remain where they
were found, and natural gullies and streambeds are left intact.
The South Course provides the serenity and tranquility many
golfers look for. With its natural rolling fairways, undulating
greens, and breathtaking views, the South Course is a favorite
among many Maui golfers.
Kapula Golf offers three championship courses.The
Plantation Course is the site of the PGA TOUR's Mercedes
Championships, featuring an elite field of previous year's
PGA TOUR winners. Designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore,
this par 73, 7,263-yard course unfurls across natural geographic
formations and pineapple plantation fields. Arnold Palmer
and Francis Duane designed The Bay Course.
The forerunner of Kapalua's three championship golf courses,
The Bay is a 6,600-yard par 72 with gently rolling fairways
and generous greens. The Bay is an excellent example of resort
golf at its best. Kapalua's second Arnold Palmer design layout,
The Village Course, twists, turns, rises
and falls through the West Maui foothills. A serene trek through
Hawaiian headlands, stands of Cook and Norfolk pines characterize
this par 70 6,317-yard course. The Village is complex enough
to challenge both seasoned professional and beginners alike.
