Kapalua Resort - The Bay Course

Unbelievable views, elevation changes, large fairways ( that still required accurate drives) and huge undulating greens! An awesome golf experience like no other!

Until I played the Plantation Course! … to another level!

I’ve played this course 30 times in the last 20 years. It is lush, playful and challenging. Especially fun is hole 17, a par three over a chasm with waves crashing below you.

Course conditions were below standard for Kapalua, brown spots in many places, greens bumpy, poor value for $238

I first played this course in 1996 and returned in December 2016 as part of a Southern California golf association Member Outing

Hey, you're on the island of Maui, and you are at Kapalua.

What more is there to say. Yes, this is the afterthought when you think of Kapalua. The club house was moved, recently. It is now the old Village course clubhouse was.

With such, the course now plays in a different order than prior. That is ok, because the ocean holes play toward the end.

What a sight, when you stand on 16 tee, and watch whales playing in the bay. Or the unforgettable view from the 17 tee, as you tee over the ocean..

The only downside I noted was the bunkers. The sand is fluffed up so much, your feet sink getting in and out. As such, playing from the bunkers is a whole new experience.

Play the Champions Package. You get rounds on the Bay course, one on the Plantation, and a one hour private lesson at the learning center.

Played January 10th, 2019, a couple days after the PGA event at the plantation course. Prime season with a lot of golfers in town so I will preface my following statements. The course was great (just like most Hawaii courses) but the pace of play was atrocious. Our round was right at 5 hrs. Two and three foursomes on every hole. We played the last hole in the dark (and there were about three foursomes behind us) - got to the ocean holes right at sunset which was super pretty. Unfortunately all the groups behind us had to quit the holes they were on and skip ahead to the ocean holes to get pictures before dark, so there were about 5 groups on two holes. Everyone was understanding of the pace of play and super nice though. I felt the course was a little overpriced. Have played 4 or 5 courses on the big island of Hawaii that I actually liked better and were cheaper. My opinion is if you are only going to play one of the two courses, spend a little more money and play the plantation course. It is fantastic and fun to play where the pros play. Would definitely play this course again though.

Played Bay 3 times with Kapalua package since Plantation was closed. 17th hole of Bay course most spectacular par 3 I've ever seen. Before we teed off one day we watched a sea turtle swim in crystal blue ocean inlet water we had to hit over. If you believe as I do that golf is a Zen experience as well as a test of mind and body then you'll feel a lot of positive vibes here. It's a beautiful place to test your skills. Service is great, also had a lesson at the Academy that helped my chipping a lot. I feel fortunate to be able to access an experience like this.

What a great place to stay and play. I was lucky enough to land a suite right at ground level adjacent to the 15th hole of the golf course and nothing between my room and the Pacific Ocean except 50 yards of green grass. The view from the Bay course were fantastic. To me, the highlight of this course was shooting a 9 iron over the cove and onto the 17th green, Ok, I landed next to the green but that was part of the fun. Just bring plenty of sunscreen and a love for the game and views and you'll be pleasantly rewarded at the Kapalua Bay Course! Enjoy !

For the cost of a round you'd think they wouldn't pack us onto the course like sardines. I was playing alone and it wasn't long before there was a wait at every tee box. It wasn't because the twosome in front of me was slow. They were waiting at every tee box as well. The front nine took 2.5 hours and everyone was stacked up on top of each other. It looked like the back nine was going to be even worse. I gave up after nine. They didn't comp me when I returned to the club house.

One of those golf courses you are willing to travel a long way in order to play. Fantastic views abound and you get to tee off over the Pacific ocean on #17 Amazing!.

Kapalua has been a bucket list destination since I started playing golf. Unfortunately The Plantation Course was under construction, but The Bay Course was open. We were not disappointed. Our group which included my dad, son, brother in law, and nephew were in complete awe. The course was in great shape, everyone from the starter to the bartender at Taverna, was awesome. We were one of the first groups after the twilight rates kicked in, and we finished with plenty of sunlight to spare. We will be back. Next time.....Plantation Course.....

This is a must play course! Beautifully manicured, friendly staff, amazing restaurant/ pro shop. The ocean holes are breathtaking, have your camera ready for the whole time, especially 16, 17! The holes not on the ocean are some of the best sculpted holes I’ve ever played. Tee boxes cater to all abilities. Amazing fun!!

It's been a few years since I played the Bay course as we usually opt to play Plantation. On our recent trip we played the Bay course 3 times in 2 days. Course was in wonderful condition, pace of play was 3.5 hours, and the staff was amazing. Plantation finally has a worthy companion course that fits my family better than the challenging "big brother" course.

I played this course twice recently while in Kapalua. While it is not quite on the level of its sister course, Plantation, it is a great track in its own right. The back tees are only 6,600, so it is a little short for long hitters, but I just bagged my driver on most holes. The layout was very nice and everything was in great shape. Greens were slower than Plantation, but still rolled very smoothly. Much like the Plantation Course, the elevation changes and wind added some challenge. Great practice facility, clubhouse, and staff as well.

It was one of Hawaii's greats. The views of the ocean were spectacular. The course was in great shape and it rain as expected for 5-10 minutes, not worth putting the umbrella up. Recommend it for any Maui trip.

I played with my son and his buddy. Both are about 8 handicaps and I'm about a 12. The staff at the pro shop and the outside guys were all super. We warmed up on their great driving range and hit the course. Number one is a great starting hole and we got a bit of rain on 1 and drenched on 2 a par 3 and after that perfect and sunny. The wind was whipping but the course was in great shape. A real challenge. I've been playing this course for over 30 years and still to this day it does not disappoint. Once you get on the back nine and reach the now 16th for that great shot with a 3 wood or 4 hybrid to a tiny corner toward the green you go, WOW. This is special. Looking over Fleming beach and the crashing waves and Honolua Bay just further north it takes your breath away. Then you hit 17. One of the best par 3 anywhere. Mother nature couldn't have given a better gift to golf. Waves, sunshine and 160-180 yards over the water to a really sneaky green, It goes fast toward the ocean there. The grain in amazing. you have to be there to understand. Amazing place and can't wait to go again.

I always enjoy playing this course. Great staff. Rental clubs were new callaways. Could have been cheaper but you get what you pay for.

This is a great course with difficult greens. Scenery is great and course conditions are very good.

Love the Bay course! The routing is excellent, even if it has been rerouted to put the ocean holes (16 and 17) at the back of the round. That leads to some switch-backs along the way, but it's a minor glitch for what is an enjoyable experience all the way around.

In may ways, the Bay is more "fun" than the Plantation. It's forgiving without being easy. Remember, LPGA and PGA Tour players competed on it back in the day, so there are plenty of bunkers pinching greens.

The two coastline holes are pretty cool with the 17th a par 3 over an ocean inlet. For those looking for "island" golf without much stress, hang out at the Bay.

Beautiful course with superior fairways and greens, beautiful views for great photo opportunities during your round, excellent staff with smiles all around, and excellent food. Doesn't get better than this!