Unlike some PGA Tour courses, selected more because of deals with the sponsor or the availability of parking than on merit, the Kapalua Plantation Course, which hosts the season-opening Mercedes Championship, lives up to every expectation. It is, hands down, the best of the Maui golf courses you can play, and some would say it’s the best among all Hawaii golf courses.
Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (one of their first, from-scratch designs after teaming up), this is one of the grandest Hawaii golf courses. The fairways, seemingly wide enough to land cargo jets on, sweep down from the hills and provide panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Molokai Island beyond. There are deep, jungle-like ravines and chasms to boldly cross or your ball will never been heard from again (and the same goes for you if you were to fall into one of them). The bunkers are massive and the greens are large enough to virtually assure a putt of more than 60 feet at some point during your round.
The wind, which can often clock in at more than 20 mph, makes the wide fairways seem much narrower. But on the show-stopping, par-five, downhill, 18th hole, the trade wind is your friend. Lesser golfers than Tiger have found themselves reaching the green in regulation on this 663-yard hole, a monster for Hawaii golf courses.
In general though, and is the case with other Hawaii golf courses, the trick to enjoying the Kapalua Plantation Course is playing from the appropriate tees. From the back, some forced carries into the wind, such as on the 208-yard, par-three, eighth hole, are nearly impossible for mere mortals.
Another tip if you’re considering the Kapalua Plantation Course is to schedule a visit soon after the Tour departs in January. For months leading up to the event, regular play is limited and grounds crews pump nutrients onto and into the greens practically intravenously. Locals told us the course is in far better shape after the tournament that at any other time. By the way, this is also prime time to see whales breaching, an amazing sight visible from many spots on the course.
Article by: Craig Better - Golf Vacation Insider
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