The 6,700-yard North Course at Kaanapali is one of just two Robert Trent Jones-designed courses in Hawaii. (Courtesy Kaanapali Golf Courses)

Maui is Hawaii's premier golf and travel destination

By William K. Wolfrum,
Staff Writer

More than nearly any other major golf destination, Hawaii has the reputation of a chameleon. From the bustling Big Island to smaller isles like Lanai and Molokai, golf travelers can have the energy of a big-time tourist town, the laid-back, unfettered beaches of hidden island gems, and all delights in between.

But when it comes to getting it all, there may be no better Hawaiian golf island for a traveler to head to than Maui. With the awe-inspiring beauty of its tropical landscape and beaches, as well as the ever-present Hawaiian culture at a traveler's fingertips, Maui is sure to dazzle. And that's before you get on the golf course.

More than 20 golf courses make their home on Maui, making this Hawaiian Island one of the world's greatest golf destinations. While the sheer number of golf courses makes it impossible to highlight them all, here's a sampler plate of some of the amazing golf courses Maui has to offer.

Maui golf courses

When it comes to discussing the merits of Maui golf, the conversation nearly always begins with one name: Kapalua. The Kapalua Golf Resort is home to 54 breathtaking holes of golf that will satisfy even the most ardent golfer.

While the Plantation Course has garnered the most attention - hosting the PGA Tour's Mercedes Championship and receiving endless accolades will do that for a course - the Bay and Village courses give Kapalua a triumvirate of runs that leave golfers agog. Once you've got your Kapalua fix, however, Maui has plenty more to offer a golfer, and shows why golf packagers have their work cut out for them when putting together the perfect Hawaiian golf package.

If Kapalua is the Michael Jordan of Maui Golf, Kaanapali Golf Resort is the Scottie Pippen - a golf resort that would stand out as a superstar on any other island. Offering 36 holes of golf on its North and South courses, Kaanapali gives golfers a taste of the very best - and that's not even mentioning the luxurious "Wine and Nine" deals offered.

The Royal Kaanapali Course (the North) is one of only two courses in all of Hawaii designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., while the Kaanapali Kai Course (the south) was recently renovated and provides golfers with a challenging run cutting through sugar cane and native fauna.

"Elevation changes, views of Molakai and Lanai, great conditioning, improvements to both courses are almost finished," wrote a WorldGolf.com reader about the North Course in April 2007. "A good warm-up before you play Kapalua."

Another stellar golf resort offering diverse golf is Wailea, which gives golfers a choice of three world-class 18-hole runs. While the Gold and Blue courses offer golfers all they could want from Maui golf, it's the Emerald Course that's the star of this show.

"The Emerald is labeled Wailea's Tropical Playground, an appropriate name for a round of golf on a jewel of a course," wrote a reviewer for Hawaii Golf Guide. "Rated one of the best new courses by Golf Magazine and Golf Digest, as well as one of North America's most women friendly courses by Golf For Women, the Emerald course lives up to its name."

Starting to see the amazing opportunities of Maui golf? We've highlighted 144 holes of great golf, and have barely scratched the surface of what this spectacular island has to offer. Some other Maui golf courses worth a look include (but by no means are limited to):

Makena Golf Courses: With the North and South courses, you'll not only have 36 more holes of Maui golf to experience, but you'll have the option of playing toward the sea, or up into the brilliant Hawaiian landscape.

Pukalani Country Club: Here you'll not just get the astounding scenery that makes Maui golf so spectacular, but you'll get it for less at this run, which is a "country club" in name and attitude, but not when it comes to green fees.

The Dunes at Maui Lani: Another design by Robin Nelson - Hawaii's most prolific golf course architect. The Dunes epitomizes the word "unique." That is, unless you consider playing a links-style course in the midst of Hawaii's tropics to be pedestrian.

In the end, golf travelers expect a lot when they book a trip to their favorite golf destination. And more than nearly any other Hawaiian Island, Maui delivers the goods.