Wailea Golf Club
The word “mana” refers to the power of nature’s elemental forces that are inside a person or an object, and it is often referenced with an almost religious element to it combined into a supernatural force.
It’s a celebrated term in Maui, and there’s no doubt that you will feel that lifeforce from the moment you land on this tropical oasis. Everywhere you go on this magical island, you’ll encounter different experiences that embody this concept including on the golf courses here.
Maui is home to an impressive collection of publicly accessible golf courses and we will be highlighting two of our favorite spots on the island: Wailea Golf Club and the Ka’anapali Golf Courses.
Wailea Golf Club
Located on the Southern side of the island of Maui you’ll find the beautiful area of Wailea. Wailea is known for its beautiful beaches, luxurious resort options such as the Grand Wailea Maui and the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and a feeling of privacy and serenity that any vacationing guest is sure to love.
Regardless of which one of the beautiful properties that you decide to stay at, you will enjoy easy access to three world-class golf courses at the Wailea Golf Club. The Gold Course is known as the most challenging design on property, and this Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design includes a great variety of shots, incredible ocean vistas, and pristine conditioning. As you’ll see in our drone footage here, this course is absolutely breathtaking.
Wailea’s Blue Course was the original design at Wailea Golf Club. This Arthur Jack Snyder layout is a par-71 design that tips out at 6,545 yards that provides wider fairways than the Gold Course all while integrating strategic bunkering and tricky greens to protect par. You’ll have to think your way around this golf course if you want to go low here. The combination of coconut trees, coral sand bunkers, native Maui landscaping, and ocean vistas are stunning, and the course is known for stunning sunset views so a later in the day tee time could be a great option for you.
The Emerald Course at Wailea Golf Club is the most family friendly option amongst their portfolio, and this layout, which was also designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., was created to create a calm sense of place as you make your way around this lush design. There are fewer forced carries on this course making it a favorite for many women who come to Maui as the area is known for couples and ladies-only golf getaways. Like its sister courses, the Emerald Course also provides stunning views and beautiful vegetation such as bright bougainvillea and fragrant plumeria to captivate your senses all while enjoying the vast blue backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
You cannot go wrong with any of the options here, and if you’re planning a trip here be sure to check for special offers as they often have specials if you book multiple rounds of golf.
Kāʻanapali golf courses
Only about an hour away from Wailea Golf Club, you can find your way to the region known as West Maui which is home to the beautiful area of Kāʻanapali. This area of Maui was once known as a former vacation spot for the royalty of Maui, but it can now be enjoyed by you and your crew on your next golf getaway here! Kāʻanapali was the first planned resort in all of Hawaii, and the area is now home to multiple hotels and condominium villages for you and yours to enjoy. Our group stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa and we found this to be the perfect “home base” for our stay in Kāʻanapali as the recently updated rooms were gorgeous and provided a balcony that overlooked the ocean. The dining options onsite here are perfect for any visitor highlighted by Japengo which provides an Asian and Maui-inspired fusion menu. I also highly suggest enjoying the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au which is known as one of the best lu’aus on the island. If you’re looking for a unique experience, then sign up for the Tour of the Stars where you join an expert NASA solar system ambassador on the roof of the hotel to take in a tour of the constellations that everyone in our group loved.
But the most important reason why you will love this area of Maui is the incredible golf that’s available at the Kāʻanapali Golf Courses. Home to 36 holes of championship golf, the signature design here is the Royal Kāʻanapali course that was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The layout here is fantastic. It provides a constant combination of elevation changes and ever-changing backdrops that includes views of the West Maui Mountain foothills as well as dramatic ocean views that are both oceanside as well as higher up so you can see out all the way to the islands of Lanai and Molokai. While we could happily take you through every hole and why it is so special, we would rather show you through our exclusive drone footage below.
Known as the perfect complement to the Royal Kāʻanapali course, the Kāʻanapali Kai Golf Course provides a more friendly test of golf as this par 70 design tips out at 6,400 yards. The layout here favors brains over brawn, and throughout your round you’ll be able to enjoy similar landscape views as the Royal Kāʻanapali course and the same lush conditioning that creates a perfect setting during your golf getaway.
Overall, the Kāʻanapali Golf Courses provide an incredible amount of value and are worth every penny and should be on any golf itinerary in Maui.
Apparel ideas for your Maui getaway
When you’re packing for a golf trip to Maui, it’s always great to think about what items will fit the resort casual look and keep you looking good on the course. Our friends at FootJoy have a few suggestions of what can help you capture both of these looks.
Stellar Lisle Polo
You can never go wrong with a great looking polo, and the Stellar Lisle polo offers you the same great ProDry Performance to keep you dry, UV sun protection to protect your skin, and a stylish design that will look good both on and off the golf course.
Lightweight 9” Inseam Short
A solid short is a must-have item for any golfer’s wardrobe, and this lightweight short from FootJoy is perfect for the warm tropical temperatures of Maui. Available in multiple colors including Seafoam and Periwinkle for those looking for a little more color on their Hawaiian golf getaway, this short is perfect to pack on the go as their easy care fabric helps avoid wrinkles while being packed away. It also includes the right amount of stretch and give in the fit just in case you happen to overindulge on dinner the night before.
Premiere Series – Field Shoes
The Premiere Series FootJoy shoes have become synonymous with style and class, and the Field series lineup of products provide timeless styling with modern technology such as their premium weatherproof leather to create a shoe that performs as well as it looks. Available in a few different colorways, we are a little partial to the White/Aqua Marine/Pageant Blue colorway as it gives us island vibes for your Maui golf vacation.
Tonal Block Crewneck Sweater
Depending on the time of day, Maui can get a touch of coolness in the air so it’s nice to have a stylish and comfortable mid-layer option to throw on if needed. Enter the new Tonal Block Crewneck Sweater from FootJoy as this staple item can easily be thrown over a collared shirt or not, and it works perfectly both around the resort or on the course.
