Maui Golf
 

Going to be in Maui for a week.... staying at Maui Westin...would like to play golf but not bust my budget doing it.... Any tips on good places to play.... ocean views, etc without spending a ton of money for clubs, fees, etc.... I don't plan on bringing clubs....

J

From my trip report last May:

We booked a tee time at the Makena South Course. H brought his clubs to Maui, I did not so we headed to Boss Frogs in Kihei again where they had rentals. I was able to rent a perfectly suitable set for $15, I think. What a fun course! Lots of ocean views, rolling fairways, and some tricky fairway bunkers (at least for me!) Very, very nice staff.

Later in the week H played at the Wailea Golf course while I took pictures. I think it was the Emerald course. Lovely course, but we enjoyed the views at the Makena course more. Staff was slightly snobby.

Makena was GORGEOUS! Maybe the prettiest pics from the trip. I really didn't want to "waste" vacation time golfing and it was just wonderful!

This is great info.... Thanks.... Do you recall what the fees were? Was it a course that a couple who are strictly "recreational" golfers play on??

Also, memejw... would be interested in other thoughts on things to do, places to dine, etc... we are doing a luau, dining at Mama's fish house, and are planning a reservation to Pacifico.... Any other thoughts?? Definitely doesn't need to be high-end... we love hole in the wall off the beaten path places too....

Thanks again,

J

I played a long time ago and the fees were steep then. But, really, it WAS worth it. We rented our clubs and really enjoyed the day. I'm not a very good golfer at all (my ex was good) but I felt comfortable on the course.

Jim, with the idea of NOT busting your budget, I'd recommend the Maui Lani Dunes course (right outside of Kahului), Pukalani (on the slopes of Haleakala) or Eleair (in Kihei). They are all on the web for more info. Unfortunately, you won't get any ocean views at Maui Lani (though it's a great course).

I would recommend the local muni, Waiehu (built right on the ocean and CHEAP), but I don't think they rent clubs. Again, they are on the web, and you can get more info there.

These courses are NON-resort type courses, hence the smaller green fees.

The others (Wailea, Makena, Kaanapali, Kapalua) are all part of a resort, and their fees will be higher (in some cases ridiculously higher). But they are the best conditioned and you get those great ocean views from Wailea, Makena and Kapalua courses. I'd pass on Kaanapali though. Again, go to their websites for more info.

You can also try 808golf.com for some info on Hawaii courses.

Cheapest is the municipal Waiehu golf course in Wailuku. Other courses slightly higher but not as high as the resorts are at Elleair in Kihei, Dunes in Kahului, and Kahili near Maalaea but that means you will have to do some driving. Anywhere else (Makena, Wailea, Kaanapali, Kapalua) you will be paying $200 to $300.

You guyz are awesome!!! Thanks,.... will take more advice if it is out there.... Cannot wait to get there!!!

J

It seems that most golf courses on the islands can be pretty steep. And I find with one golf course to the next, the service was better in our hotel, then the golf course it's self. I say play one round on the green of your choice, and call it a day, enjoy the sun, and surf.

I would try looking into other activities, the island has to offer. Try here for some help. http://www.maui-vacation-hotels.us

Have a great time!

there are several websites that offer discounted fees (Hawaiigolfdeals.com, teetimeshawaii.com, etc.) You can save a lot by p.m. golf, for example. There's a local golf shop (Kihei)on Pukalani hwy that had very good rates and helped us with many suggestions.

We find golfing on Maui to be a lot less expensive than home. Wailea or Kapalua are very nice if you want to make it memorable.

Hi Jim,
I think we always played during twilight hours (after 1 or 2) and I know we didn't pay more than $100 each for those courses.

Makena was $85 pp I believe. The only reason Wailea was less than $100 was because they were aerating the greens. We didn't mind though. We are definitely recreational golfers and never felt uncomfortable. Wailea is David Leadbetter's home course and so they offered some great training programs. A bit out of our price range though...but I believe they get a wide range of players.

We LOVED Makena South Course. I would definitely recommend it. I just remembered that Wailea had a huge bee hive or something on the course. We never saw them but you could definitely hear a loud buzzing at some of the holes. It was a little disconcerting to tell the truth.

Jim, if you click on my name you should find my trip report from last May with extensive restaurant reviews and other info. I think its called Maui Honeymoon Trip Report. One quick tip, go to Mama's Fish House for lunch not dinner. You will enjoy the views more and there are a lot less people.

As always... thanks for the input... We booked a 6:30 dinner at Mama's because we thought we would stop there for dinner on our way back from Hana and having checked the Sunset calendar, sunset on the day we are going is about 1/2 an hour after our reservation.... ha ha ha.....

J

Oh, you ought to go all the way around Hana, rather than doubling back. It's a great adventure.

Except that the road is STILL closed past Ohe'o gulch!

I wondered about that. What a bummer. Looks like it will open on Hawaiian time. ((h)) Aloha!