Ka'anapali Golf Courses
Ka'anapali Golf Courses feature two 18-hole championship layouts along Maui’s west coast, offering a harmonious blend of coastal and tree-lined golf amid striking island scenery. Ideal for golfers seeking approachable yet stimulating play beneath the West Maui mountains and Pacific vistas.
Course Overview
Set against the dramatic backdrop of West Maui’s volcanic slopes and the shimmering Pacific Ocean, Ka'anapali Golf Courses offer a memorable experience that blends Hawaiian natural beauty with engaging play. This public golf destination features two distinct 18-hole layouts: the Ka'anapali Kai and the Ka'anapali Royal. Both courses provide a unique challenge while remaining approachable for golfers of various skill levels who want to enjoy a game framed by one of Hawaii’s most picturesque settings.
Ka'anapali Kai is characterized by its coastal-layout style, with wide fairways that invite confident drives and greens that demand careful approach shots. The course winds through gentle undulations and native vegetation, occasionally presenting dramatic views of the West Maui mountains on one side and the bright blue ocean on the other. Its fairways are generous, making it friendly for mid to high handicappers, yet subtle contouring and strategically placed bunkers ensure lower handicappers stay engaged.
Across the highway, the Ka'anapali Royal course offers a different flavor, incorporating more tree-lined holes and tighter corridors that reward precision and shot shaping. Players experience subtle elevation changes and an intimate relationship with the Hawaiian landscape, as flowering trees and native shrubs border key holes. The greens here are known for their smooth, consistent surfaces, contributing to playability regardless of the weather.
Both courses benefit from well-maintained turf and quality facilities, including driving ranges and a fully stocked pro shop with rental clubs and gear available. The staff’s attentiveness and Hawaiian hospitality enhance an already inviting atmosphere. Playing at Ka'anapali means encounters with cooling ocean breezes that test timing and temper the tropical heat, making every round as much about managing conditions as mastering shots.
For visitors staying on Maui’s west side, Ka'anapali Golf Courses combine accessibility with scenic diversity. Whether challenging your long game or enjoying a leisurely round, these courses present a rewarding way to absorb Maui’s natural allure without sacrificing playability or convenience. A prime choice for travelers seeking quality golf wrapped in island charm.
Course Highlights
The Ka'anapali Kai course draws strength from its coastal layout, offering expansive ocean views and wide fairways that encourage length off the tee. In contrast, the Ka'anapali Royal course emphasizes a tighter, tree-lined design that challenges accuracy and precision. Both courses benefit from meticulous maintenance, smooth greens, and spectacular vistas of the West Maui mountains and Pacific coastline. The ever-present trade winds add a dynamic element to shot selection and club choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Casey Lauer
This is an awesome course for the price. Golfed as a single with my wife riding along. Finished the course in 3 hours and only got held up a few times. All the greens and fairways were in pristine condition, not something I’m used to as a visitor from Northern California. The staff were very helpful and friendly and got all my rental gear loaded into my cart. If you have a Troon membership, the green fees are even lower and that’s awesome.
Jonathan S
Beautiful golf course! It was in perfect conditions when I played earlier this month. Well worth the price. Everyone was very friendly. Carts were clean. Gorgeous views from every hole. We couldn't stop taking pictures. Would highly recommend if staying on the west side of Maui. FYI they do not sell alcohol on the golf course you must buy all bear in restaurant before going out on the course.
Doug West
Awesome friendly staff for an absolutely must play course if you are a golfer visiting Maui. This course is kept in great condition every time we go.
Taylor
No Service, No Value, and Definitely Not Worth the Price Our group travels to Maui every year to enjoy vacation and great golf — it’s a tradition we truly value. Unfortunately, this course completely missed the mark and will not be part of our future trips. The most glaring issue, and the reason for this review, is the complete lack of service throughout the experience. We paid $280 per player — a price that promises a premium-level round — and were shocked to find absolutely no access to food or beverages on the entire property. There was no beverage cart, no snack bar, no halfway house, and not even a vending machine. When we called the pro shop mid-round to ask where we could get a drink, we were told alcohol couldn't be served until 11:00am due to their liquor license — which is fair — but that didn’t explain why there wasn’t even water, Gatorade, or basic refreshments available. Their excuse? “We’re short staffed.” At nearly $300 per round, that’s simply unacceptable. Being understaffed isn’t the guest’s problem — it’s a failure of management and planning. Eventually someone came out with bottled water. When we expressed how surprising this was for a course charging this much, the staff member pointed to the bottle and asked, “Where did you get that?” as if that somehow addressed the issue. It felt dismissive, almost sarcastic. Nothing quite like being mocked for asking about service — a perfect example of how little attention is given to guest experience. To make matters worse, the overall atmosphere was cold and unwelcoming. Every staff member we encountered, from the pro shop to outside services, gave off the impression that they didn’t want us there. No one smiled, no one greeted us with any enthusiasm — it felt like we were inconveniencing them by showing up for a tee time we had booked well in advance. The only exception was the starter on the morning of June 26th, who was polite, welcoming, and professional — the one bright spot in an otherwise negative customer experience. As for the course itself, the layout is uninspired and the setting is far from what’s advertised. Roughly 80% of the holes run alongside streets or sit between condos. Despite being marketed as offering ocean views, the “Royal” course mostly delivers traffic noise and rooftops. The few glimpses of the ocean are minimal at best. Even more distracting, non-golfers were walking freely along all of the cart paths, creating an environment that felt more like a public park than a premium golf facility. Even the driving range felt phoned in — limited-flight balls hit into a net with condos behind it. For a supposed resort course, it felt more like a low-budget practice area. If you’re a single-digit handicapper or just someone expecting even basic service and value for money, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere. I’ve played municipal courses for under $100 with better amenities, friendlier staff, and a more enjoyable overall experience. This course is severely overpriced, lacks hospitality, and fails to deliver on its marketing promises. We won’t be returning — one and done
Brandon Barber
The 18 hole Kaanapali Kai golf course is a very beautiful and yet challenging course. The driving range is very adequate to warm up before your round. The pro shop has everything you need. The staff is very helpful and will make sure you have an enjoyable round. If you’re looking for some breathtaking views of the West Maui mountains, and also to see the city of Kaanapali. This is your course. Not a bad hole on any part of it.
Wesley Ellis
Lovely golf course with outstanding picturesque views. It's a fairly easy course (but is any golf course easy?) with wide open fairways. The staff was super hospitable. We played on a Wednesday afternoon in May and it seemed like we had the course to ourselves. Love this place!
BB
Memorandum Whenever I went to Maui, I stayed in Kaanapali and practiced at the driving range before going out on the course! On both courses, I was able to play golf in a relaxed Hawaiian atmosphere, and on the way there, the sugar cane train passed by. Whenever I returned after a round, the staff would ask me, "Is that an underscore?" and I would answer, "Yes!" and get a big laugh.
E Mirg
Played here in late June. Staff was great and course was challenging. The greens were well maintained. Pricey but worth spending the day playing golf in paradise. Gave us some bag tags, balls and markers. We rented clubs which were Taylor made.
David Fu
The view and setting of the course is very nice. But the fairway is poorly maintained and green is in a very sad shape: a lot of weeds, bumpy roll. Outside service is chaotic during check in. Definitely give you a vibe of a muni course
E Mirg
Played here in late June. Staff was great and course was challenging. The greens were well maintained. Pricey but worth spending the day playing golf in paradise. Gave us some bag tags, balls and markers. We rented clubs which were Taylor made.
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Course Details
Access & Location
2290 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Main clubhouse with pro shop, rental services, and dining options
Course is walkable with some gentle elevation changes; comfortable shoes and sun protection advised
Reservations recommended, walk-ins accepted subject to availability
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