Kapalua Golf Resorts (Maui)

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!

Played here in the afternoon and there was only one other group on the course. The conditions were pristine throughout. Everyone cautioned about the winds in the afternoon, but playing in the DFW area for years has helped prepare me. The views are prenominal, tv does not due it justice. If you have never played in Hawaii before I would ask the starter for any tips on reading the greens. We had a 5-10 minute chat with the starter and it paid off.

Obviously, this is isn't your standard weekly course.

Starter paired me up with another single. It was a first time for both of us. We were both incredibly impressed by the views and condition of the course.

Pace of play was VERY fast. Somehow with even just two of us shooting 85-90, it still felt like the group behind us was constantly on our butts. We still had time to take the pictures we wanted, but haven't played anywhere with a pace of play so fast.

Overall, very expensive but TOTALLY worth it. A round I'll never forget.

It's a bucket list course for sure. The views are incredible ,and hey, it's Hawaii in the winter for me when much of the country is chilly to downright freezing. Course layout is fun and interesting. Not thrilled about the many downhill lies in the fairway hitting uphill to greens. But that's what makes it challenging too, I guess.

Was disappointed in a couple of things. The PGA Tour plays in a month from when I played, yet the greens were slow and grainy. Probably a 8-9 stimp, which is much slower than even my home public course. The fairways and tees where in great shape, but the Bermuda rough around the greens had some brown and shaggy spots. The greenside bunker on 14 had hardpan just below the surface and my ball when sailing to the back of the green. Also, I had paid for a Troon Rewards+ membership. Pro shop refused to honor the measly 10% discount, even though there was nowhere in the fine print that I could find that they were exempt from the this benefit.

Overall, I'm glad I played it and checked it off my bucket list. But I probably won't play it again, at least not at a $400-$500 green fee. The value just isn't there to come back.

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.

This is probably the 3rd or 4th time I've played the Plantation Course and I have always enjoyed it. This time I was excited to see the changes that had been made when the course was shut down for quite a few months. The changes apparently were very minor because I couldn't pick any out. As far as I could tell, the holes were pretty much the same. Overall I was disappointed in the lack of noticeable changes and the condition of the course. The fairways and greens were ok, but if you ventured just off the fairway, you encountered a lot of clumpy bermuda grass, which is awful to play from. And, while the greens were in ok condition, they were still bermuda and were very grainy. I can't understand why they wouldn't have switched to something like paspalum, which is a far superior putting surface. Overall I was just disappointed. It wasn't the experience I was looking for when I pay $350. I would recommend it to a friend if they wanted to check it off their bucket list, but it's not worth $350. I played the Wailea Emerald course on this trip for about $200, and it was a great experience and worth the price.

When I first played the plantation course back in the early 90's, it was the funnest, best course I had ever played to that point. I still remember looking at the scorecard from the plantation house restaurant (which by the way is a fantastic restaurant) and seeing a 480 yd par 4 and another 330 yd par 4 and thinking what I might hit into those greens. Well, the former, 17, is down hill, down wind, down grain and was Driver, 8 iron, while the later, an uphill into the wind 13th ended up being Driver, 5 iron! What a course! With its huge, sprawling, undulated fairways that ran forever, it definitely played more like a links course than anything else. The amount of rollout on virtually every shot, even chips, especially down grain, needed to be taken into account.

Over the years, the course became much softer and slower. The course began to play much more like target golf with little run out. Most of the fun and strategy was lost given these conditions. I even remember playing in 2019 thinking this course is just not the same as it used to be and I wasn't sure it was worth the $300 price tag.

When I heard they were regrassing and updating the course, I was hopeful it would return to its former greatness and it has in every way. What a treat! It is once again, firm, fast, and very strategic. From the downhill, downwind, 600 yd par 5 18th that is very reachable to the uphill, into the wind 490 yd par 5 9th, (where i smoked a driver and 3 wood and still had an 8 iron into the green!),

the fun and strategy has been restored. Bring your A game and your thinking cap. I will be back again and again. I have more fun playing the plantation course than any other I have ever played, including all the

Bandon courses. While you may not agree with that lofty statement, the plantation course at Kapalua is an absolute must play if you are on Maui.

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 (not December 2020)

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.

What more can be said? It's Kapalua!!! yeah, it's price., But yeah, you can say you played it. After the redesign, course conditions have changed. The roll out you used to get is not there now. But it will return.

Nothing like standing on the 10th tee, on a picture perfect day, and watch whales jumping everywhere.

Staff is professional. Want something, don't hesitate to ask. They will do everything to accommodate.

Don't forget to get your complimentary engraved bag tag.

Course is kept in immaculate condition. From the tee boxes to the greens. Played 2 days. First was right after the greens were top dressed, and were slow. Played a week later and the ball rolled like on a table top,

Couldn't ask for a better experience. Planning my next trip.

One tip, Check put the Tournament package. You get rounds of golf on the Bay course, one on the Plantation, and a hour private golf lesson at the learning center.

Best lesson I ever got. Ask for Ben.

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.

Playing the Kapalua Plantation Golf Course is always a treat! Now that they have reopened following a major renovation the experience is better than ever! I know the entire golf world is very excited to see how the PGA players handle it this week! Wishing the team at Kapalua all the best during the exciting event!

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.

I had an opportunity to play the Plantation course just after Thanksgiving. . Yes, it is pricey and cart path only, but you know that from the moment you book the tee time. It is truly a majestic course. From the ethereal ocean views, to the beautifully manicured fairways and greens, to the impeccable service, I throughly enjoyed everything about the Plantation course. It was more an experience than a round of golf, one that I will cherish for quite some time.

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.....