Ka'anapali Kai golf course
The Ka'anapali Kai Course on Maui is popular with locals and tourists alike.
2290 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761, US
(808) 661-3271
Location Map

About Ka'anapali Golf Resorts (Maui)

Ka'anapali is a resort development in the west Maui town of Lahaina. It is home to two golf courses, Royal Ka'anapali and Ka'anapali Kai, as well as a number of beachfront hotel and condominium properties that offer stay-and-play golf packages. Ka'anapali is a three-mile stretch of beach with 13 places to stay and 45 restaurants. Hotel brands include the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Aston Maui Ka'anapali Villas, Royal Lahaina Resort, Maui Eldorado Ka'anapali by Outrigger, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, Aston at The Whaler on Ka'anapali Beach, Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, Spa & Residence Club and Ka'napali Royal. The beaches are famous for stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, sailing, parasailing, sunset dinners and whale watching. Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed the famous Royal Ka'anapali Golf Club in 1962 and the shorter Ka'anapali Kai course was added later.

Facts

Price Range$$$$
Property Class★★★★★
Acres1200
Year Opened1962
Number of Units500+

Amenities

RestaurantsFine, Bar, Casual, Buffet
Room TypesRoom, Suite, Villas/Casitas, Fractional Ownership
TennisYes
Fitness CenterYes
Practice FacilityYes
Beach AccessYes
Golf School/AcademyYes
Banquet SpaceYes
SpaYes

Services

Kids ProgramYes
Room ServiceYes
ConciergeYes

Rules

Is the resort pet friendly?Yes
Is resort stay required for a tee time?No

Golf courses at Ka'anapali Golf Resorts (Maui)

Golfer Photos

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
924 Reviews (924)
Reviews 2
Played

Worst Greens of any course I have ever played

The greens were truly un-puttable----long, Shaggy grass and all greens had burnt out spots. Course should really have been closed.

First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
1.0
1.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 1.0
Value 1.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Review 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

They said it was ariation

The lady in The pro shops said ariation was the reason the greens were in such bad shape, but that is not necessarily true. i think someone should have said that the greens were in terrible shape. i think they lost them, the greens, because the lack of water. which considering water on maui now, that's understandable but something should have been said.

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 2.0
Value 3.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Greens are in very tough condition

I always enjoy both Kaanapali courses. We played the Kai course today. The greens were very slow, bumpy and in tough shape with dead and rough spots throughout. This was not a result of aeration as there were no plug holes. Unless the September aeration tore them up badly and they have not recovered. They are very unevenly mowed. The rest of the course is in good shape but bad greens make it difficult to enjoy the round and to score decent.

Previously Played
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Review 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Played

Greens are not playable

I’ve played all kinds of courses in my life, none as bad as this one. The greens are not playable. I saw some reviews about how bad the greens were and did not believe them and feel stupid now while playing it. I wouldn’t play this course for free if I was given the option. Wai’ehu has some of the best greens on the island and is cheaper than this garbage. Go there instead of here.

First Time Playing
1.0
1.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 1.0
Value 1.0
Layout 2.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 2.0
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
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.

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Great course

Got a good deal on green fees because greens had been areated. There were only 4 greens where work was noticeable and it did not affect play. Well maintained course, great views. No pressure to play faster and cart showed we were consistently ahead of pace. Overall, a great round of golf.

Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Played

I get it

First off yes the course was punched but that wasn’t even the issue. They seemed to take advantage of other course closing. The greens were really bad. The weeds you had to putt through was insane. I felt like I wasted money on just that only.

Previously Played
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 1.0
Value 1.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Great course, excellent condition. Windy, nice views

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

First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 2
Recommended
Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 2.0
Value 2.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 1.0
Difficulty 3.0
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Great for the price

Greens in great shape. Some great views of Maui. Lot of variety to the holes. Fairways a little splotchy, but hey, just play the ball up as you are not on the tour. For amount of cost, really a big bang for your buck. Add this course to your list of courses to play on the East side when you are in Maui. My son rented clubs and I was really impressed with the Taylor Made Stealth 2 that he got, (woods and irons) plus Taylor Made putter. I have been to some nicer resorts that did not have rentals this nice.

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Played

Not worth the hype

For the amount of money we paid for to play here, we were expecting a better experience. The greens were not good at all! They were bumpy, patchy, they were dried out, so it was hard to keep your putts on line. We have played less expensive courses on Maui that had exceptional greens. The fairways were also uneven and had patches of dryness at times. We really wanted to enjoy our experience here, but it was a somewhat of a letdown. Now… if the greens and fairways were in better conditions, it would have been an excellent course.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 2.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Greens patchy

A lot of greens patchy with poa like grass. Bunkers need sand and to be worked on. This is the little sister to the main, Royal course, and it feels like it is kept that way (as an afterthought).

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

GOLF Vacation in Maui

Insuring golf tee times months in advance. Found course was in "aeration mode. Course kind enough to discount the round. I imagine this is beautiful and a challenge course when in perfect conditions.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 3.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Plan ahead

The guy at check-in told us that the Royal had been punched, which we appreciated, so we played the Kia which is up in the foothills not along ocean. Course was in fair shape. Green on few holes terrible.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 3.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 2.0
Amenities 3.0
Reviews 56
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Nice course with great views

The course was in great shape with nice greens. The views are spectacular from a lot of the holes. Great value for the area.

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Review 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 3.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Solid Track

Kaanapali Kai is a very solid track, with enjoyable holes throughout. It’s pretty open, so there are not a lot of penalties for errant drives. Tee boxes and fairways are in good shape, but some of the greens have bald areas. Sand traps are very well-maintained and fair. All in all, I’d call it a solid 4 star course that is slightly overpriced, but considering location, it’s worth your time.

Previously Played
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 4.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 3.0
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