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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
430 Reviews (430)
5 Stars
195
4 Stars
164
3 Stars
45
2 Stars
15
1 Stars
11
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.4
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.8
84.5%
Recommend this course
369 out of 430 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
34 Reviews (34)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
7
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.2
79.4%
Recommend this course
27 out of 34 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
56 Reviews (56)
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
20
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.5
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.3
80.4%
Recommend this course
45 out of 56 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Stunning ocean views of Lanai and Molokai frame a well-conditioned layout that consistently challenges skilled golfers while remaining enjoyable for beginners. Exceptionally friendly staff and a smooth pace of play round out this memorable Maui experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 71
Length 6700 yards
Slope 129
Rating 73.7

Maui's Ka'anapali Resort is built upon 1,200 acres of land home to ancient Hawaiian royalty and is home to two 18-hole championship golf courses. The Royal Ka'anapali course was built in 1962 and designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created undulating greens and wide fairways to accent views of the Pacific Ocean and West Maui Mountains. This championship challenge has played host to such events as the Champions TOUR Ka'anapali Classic for 14 years, LPGA Kemper Cup and Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, and such legends as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jan Stephanson and Betsy King have competed here. Guests of the Ka'anapali Resort receive discounts on green fees at both Royal Ka'anapali and newer Ka'anapali Kai, which was extensively renovated in 2005.

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Royal Kaanapali Golf Course Maui
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Course Details

Year Built 1962
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1962) Robin Nelson (2006)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire must be worn at all times

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Lounge, Sauna, Jacuzzi

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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Reviews

4.2
430 Reviews (430)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 10
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 12
Undulating Greens 12
Elevation Changes 11
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 12
Advanced Golfers 8
Group Getaways 7
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 14
Near Local Attractions 7

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 46
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Hawaii Golf

The greens were an excellent shape and rolled very true. The fairways were in great shape. The views were spectacular of the ocean. But I’m not sure how you couldn’t have a cart person or something to buy food and beverages on the course it was a Saturday come on.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Typical Resort Track

Played both Kaanapali courses many times. The Royal is by far the better track. Neither is worth full rate, IMO. When you pay $300+ dollars a head, you don't expect to start your day walking 200 yards to an off mat range, to hit balls that cost extra from your round.

Other negatives.

- no halfway house or beverage cart = hungry & thirsty

- The sandbunkers are unkept. 4x too much sand in some, zero in others.

The track itself is good, a fun layout with a variety of holes and shots. There is one green on one hole that gets you down near the ocean. Rest of the course works upland. Just not a $350 a person experience.Wait for the hot deal rate under $200.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/22/2026

every part of your take -- true !! I paid $200 last week to play the slowest greens I've ever played (Monday, Apr. 13th) . . . beautiful place w/ lots of significant issues . .

Played On
Reviews 18
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Loved it!

A little pricey but the course is in great shape. It was a very enjoyable round. Would recommend playing here.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Loved The Royal Course

Before we even played I had several people how nice the course was. Great course with a challenging layout. Lots of variation and elevation elements and some absolutely amazing views. Great location to most of the resorts, we stayed at the Westin and were 6-8 minutes away. Would definitely play again if I am in Maui.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Very nice course

This is a very pretty course with several moderately challenging holes. The course is very well maintained. Staff is very helpful and friendly

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Value compared to other courses wa spoor. Course itself was fine. There was NO course / pace management. When finished the guys didn't even offer to clean my clubs, take care of my bag. I would have paid. The group in front were 2 holes behind. No one cares!

Poor.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent layout but average upkeep

The course is an excellent layout… great views and somewhat challenging… some greens run at. 10 and some are much slower at 8. Don’t expect consistent green speeds… the traps are kept up well.

Conditions Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 23
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awesome Course

Absolutely a beautiful course. I really enjoyed playing 18 holes here and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

The Kream of the Krop is Royal Kaanapali for now with Kapalua Klosed…

The Kai’s greens were just punched when we were there last week, but the Royal is the place to play. $133 was a fair price to play the only game in town in the Lahaina area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course, excellent condition. Windy, nice views

Beautiful views and excellent conditions. Teed off 11 am and it was windy

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
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Golf Packages
Kapalua Resort Bay Course

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

Best of Maui Golf Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.

Best of Maui Golf Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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