GolfNewsRI

On our inaugural trip to Hawaii, we scheduled two rounds of golf on Maui ~ Kapalua, The Plantation Course and The Bay Course.

Ideally, we would have played the Bay Course first and save the more challenging course last, but we were only able to play both with a schedule change as The Plantation Course closed on May 7 for extensive renovations and upkeep.  We snuck in a round on the 6th ~ almost the last tee time of that day.

The Plantation course was a 3-minute drive from our hotel while the Bay course was in walking distance.

Having not played since early February and using rental clubs instead of my own, I was prepared with excuses.  Having said that, I was very pleased with my ball-striking and had two good days.

A huge buffet breakfast was included with our stay at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua, so we took advantage of it and skipped the Bay Course offering.

We made it to the course in plenty of time for our 9:30 AM tee time. Being on East Coast time, it felt like an afternoon round of golf. We found the course a little slow for players.

My husband doesn’t like to travel to a golf destination without playing at least twice and I prefer not to play back-to-back days so two rounds – one Monday and one Wednesday – was perfection for us.

As previously mentioned in the Plantation Course review in GolfNewsRI, the ranges on both courses are lacking but the Bay Course is the superior one. 

After a good warm-up, we re-checked in with the starter.  He warmly greeted us and made my day by informing we that there was a store right between the pro shop and the first tee!  I found my new golf home!

My husband promised that we would visit the store after the round so we sadly passed by it and was to play golf directly before shopping again.

The first hole is a beautiful uphill dogleg.  We both hit great tee shots, but both struggled on the first hole.  As its name implies, the Bay Course has views of the ocean on virtually every hole. 

The course itself is spectacular and the conditions are terrific – just a little less finely conditioned than the Plantation Course.

We went along in a terrific pace.  There was another couple in front of us and they were doing pretty much what we were doing – playing golf and stopping to take in all the incredible views.

The signature hole on the course is number 17 ~ a strong par three on a peninsula jutting out into the Pacific water with breathtaking views of the ocean. 

From my tee, I had 141 yards and was planning to hit a 5 iron.  My husband Chris encouraged me to drop to a 7 iron.  I aimed for the middle of the green and pulled my tee shot slightly and the ball just rolled past the hole for a near ace.  I was ecstatic.

With no one behind us, we enjoyed our mutual good play on 17 and then drove to the finishing hole.   If 17 is the best hole on the course, 18 is the worst.  It is a non-descript par 5 with a large net protecting the street – and, more importantly, preventing a direct path to the store. 

Members of the golf staff mentioned that they understand the Bay Course needs an upgrade, and we were told the modifications begin shortly.

When we finished up, we returned our cart and enjoyed food and drink on the patio. The Bay Course does not have the views of the Plantation Course but nevertheless, we were in no hurry to leave the scenery.

Both pro shops are very large and have the best of everything ~ hats, shirts, pullovers, etc.  It was an extremely difficult decision to choose what to buy.

The Bay Course greens fees are about $700 for a twosome vs. about $1,100 for the Plantation Course.  Caddies are not required, and nether course can reasonably be walked. I highly recommend them both.