Golfing Kaanapali - Easy to feel good about your game if you have money to burn

Kaanapali is one of those courses that I just had to play in Maui, but I knew that I would pay dearly for it. I skipped the really outrageously expensive Royal Course (over $200 each to play - ouch). It hosted Shell's Wonderful World of Golf, and was home to the Champions Tour Ka' anapali Classic for 14 years. Also, did you know that Bing Crosby took the inaugural shot on that course in 1962? Neat history...

No...I settled for the smaller and much more forgiving Kai Course. My wallet is still smoking from the $175 green fees however.

Kaanapali Kai is a nice course - very short - only 6400 yard, par 70. It almost feels like an executive course, but it does have 2 par 5's (12 par 4's and 4 par 3's). You know it's a short course when I can reach all of the greens in regulation (can, doesn't mean I did :)).

The course is pretty, but not as pretty as Wailea Emerald, which so far, remains my favorite course on Maui. The range is tiny (maybe 15 stalls at most); you have to hit off mats and you can't take your cart to the range - you have to carry a few clubs up and they give you a tiny bucket of warm up balls. Standing in line waiting to hit balls when there were probably 6 tiny tots (we're talking under 5 years old) hitting balls next to dad was a bit frustrating, but I was happy to see the kids out. One looked like he has some promise, but the rest where just filling in time waiting for dad to finish up. It's like mom kicked them out of the house for the morning and dad took them to the range.

We were able to tee off earlier than our 10:30 AM tee time, but I think the starter was a little ahead of himself. Instead of sending people out every 8 minutes, I bet it was no more than 6 minutes between tee times. That meant we waited on every hole to tee off. THAT was annoying. It wasn't that people were playing slowly - there were just too many golfers on the course at one time.

If you are like me and just have to try it, I recommend you book twilight golf - much quieter and faster pace of play. And let's not forget cheaper.

Oh well, waiting to tee off gave me some time to snap some shots of the nicest holes.

The 5th hole has a lovely view of Lanai...and remember...the ball always breaks to the ocean, no matter if you are heading up, down or sideways on the greens. Will I ever get used to this??? This was my first 3-putt of the day because I stubbornly refused to listen to advice and trusted my eyes - WRONG! Did I learn? Finally.... after 3-putting 3 out of 4 holes in a row on the front 9.

Hole 6 is a tricky little par 3.

Hole 9 gives you a breathtaking view of the ocean...



Hole 11 had a nasty pin placement behind the bunker. I thought about what Jim Furyk said..."Hit long here to avoid hazards in front of the green."

I ended up shooting an 88, but because it was such a short course, I still don't count it as a true "under 90" score. But it felt good anyway.

The club house was okay, but nothing really special. Some advice... DON'T EAT THE FOOD! Charles and I shared calamari and crab cakes and they were both tasteless. And, in a couple of hours, we were both feeling sick. Their draft beer was watery too. So...stay away from their food and stick to bottled beer if you must have a drink (How can you golf and not have a drink at the end of a round? That's almost sacrilegeous! In fact, it should be in the rule book - just replace the rule that says you have to hit out of a divot with this one - ha ha). Anyway...there are lots of other choices around to eat and drink in Kaanapali so move on and enjoy better food, better draft, and better mai tais.

Tomorrow...Elleair Golf in Kihea - a wallet-friendly and well maintained "more local" course.

Golfgal