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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
490 Reviews (490)
5 Stars
197
4 Stars
187
3 Stars
69
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
15
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.8
85.7%
Recommend this course
414 out of 490 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
52 Reviews (52)
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
21
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.3%
Recommend this course
48 out of 52 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
74 Reviews (74)
5 Stars
32
4 Stars
27
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.9
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.9
StaffFriendliness
4.7
83.8%
Recommend this course
62 out of 74 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
The Kai course impresses with dramatic elevation changes, open fairways, and stunning views that reward every round. Consistently friendly staff and smooth pace of play make for a genuinely enjoyable experience on Maui.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 70
Length 6388 yards
Slope 136
Rating 71.6

The Ka'anapali Resort on Maui is home to two championship golf courses, set on 1,200 acres of land home to ancient Hawaiian royalty. The Ka'anapali Kai course is an Arthur Jack Snyder design from 1976 that received an extensive renovation in 2005. The golf course is shorter and has a lower slope/rating compared to its sister Royal Ka'anapali course, but also plays narrower in most spots. Many holes are tucked into the West Maui Mountains The golf course is women-friendly with a forward set of "Hibiscus" tees at 4,522 yards, and also less expensive to resort guests and visitors compared to Royal Ka'anapali, which has played host to numerous professional events.

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Kaanapali Kai Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1976
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Snyder (1976) Robin Nelson (2005)

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

Accolades

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Reviews

4.2
490 Reviews (490)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 14
Undulating Greens 10
Elevation Changes 9
This course/club is great for:
Playing Multiple Courses 9
Advanced Golfers 8
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 7
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 15
Near Local Attractions 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Much improved, great play and views

We thought this was good value in Maui. Played it several years ago and it is MUCH improved. Overall good course, well kept (but not quite as good as Royal course). Great putting green. Driving range is mats. Cart gal came around 4-5 times during play, which was great. We had morning tee time and never waited once -- great pace. Carts tell you if you are running behind pace, which his great. Nice locker rooms. Bathrooms on course are needed -- PoPs not expected for a course like this.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Tom

Nice resort course with awesome views, It is overpriced but it’s all about location, they need to use some of that profit and build a nice bathroom instead of a hot smelly Andy gimp !!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Course was in very nice shape

Conditions were pretty tough. Winds were really blowing, knocking down lots of god shots. Greens were in good condition running pretty true. Putts break towards the ocean.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great views

I’m just a hacker, but decided to play while vacationing in Maui. Read several negative reviews before playing. Either the course staff read them, too and took the to heart, or those other folks are just cranky. Fairways and tee boxes in great shape. Greens were recovering from aeration but were challenging without that. Played this course instead of the Royal course. Glad I did as the views were spectacular. Enjoyed the round

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Aerated greens

We were not told the greens had been recently aerated and green fees were not discounted. Over priced fees for aerated greens.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It is best to get out early and the pace of play is faster-only problem is there is only one bathroom on each nine

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 52
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Municipal Course at a resort price

Course is average, service is very average. Not even close to being worth $140 before noon. Do yourself a favour. Drive to Kahili or Maui Lani and pay 95 bucks. Take the $45 per player you saved and have a nice dinner.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor service

Unfriendly staff and appalling slow pace of play. Our tee time was 1:50 and we finished 13 holes with 15 min to return carts to clubhouse.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Poor
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice, except for...

The bunkers! It looked like it had been days since they had been raked.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played

Next time I will skip this course!

First my issues: had to unload and pack my own bag to and from cart. Next there was no water provided as the online reservation stated. The course claims they told golfnow they don’t give out water. The range balls are additional and you must hit off the oldest worst mats I’ve seen in years. There are no Marshall’s on course to deal with slow groups or the tourists wandering about. The positive: nice starters, scenic views, interesting holes, decent conditions.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
3.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Slow pace of play

Frustrating for the etiquette-conscious golfer, despite being among Maui's more expensive courses. We were delayed on the 1st tee waiting for the other twosome who showed up late. The girlfriend in the twosome had only just started learning to golf. Despite the published dress code, the pro shop allowed her on to the course wearing cutoff jean shorts and a t-shirt. Not once did a marshall show up to tell us to speed up the pace of play, which we desparately hoped would happen. Ended up racing to finish our round before dark, and this is not a long course. Otherwise the pro shop and practice areas were well organized and staffed. We just wish that golf etiquette, specifically keeping up with the group ahead, could be more strictly enforced.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Worth Playing

Course is more challenging than expected, but still fun to play even for higher handicappers. Course was in good condition and is fair price at about $100-150. Not sure I would pay more than that given the other options available at the higher price point. It can be busy and pace of play can be an issue, but you are in Hawaii so things could be worse......Definitely one of the more enjoyable courses on Maui. I recommend it.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Joggers Beware

There were quite a few joggers on the course which is rather unsettling.I was surprised that management left them on the course. It looks to me that could be a rather serious liability. We had a lot of rain in Maui prior to playing so it was cartpath only which gave us a lot of exercise with the course was in excellent shape and the staff is wonderful

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Tropical resort golf

I live in OR so that is my frame of reference. The course is a little shabby but not enough to complain about. The sand in the few bunkers I experienced was good. The greens are really slow; never did figure out the speed. The staff is efficient and friendly. I started right behind a big ladies' shotgun group, expecting slow play, but the pace was great. A little spendy, but hey, it's Hawaii. It was a pleasant experience.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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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.

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.
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.
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