If you’ve ever dreamed, or have had experience, of playing golf in Hawai’i, what many describe as “the most delightful golfing location”, then please read on!
Experience tells us that golfers from New Zealand, Fiji and Australia often prefer condominium accommodation so they can fend for themselves and go wining and dining occasionally. For several years, we’ve used a very comfortable, fully equipped block of apartments, called the Kulakane on West Maui, located mid-way between Ka’anapali and Kapalua golf courses. Each apartment faces the ocean. Opt for an apartment to yourself or choose to share with another couple – an eight-day itinerary is popular among golfing couples and foursomes.
Wintertime from New Zealand is fortunately low season rates at the Kulakane, the travel period from April till November, and whether booking independently, or through your travel agent, here are a few things to consider.
1. Make your eight-night
accommodation request to reservations manager Debbie at the Kulakane apartments. Your Hawaiian Air flight departs Auckland with connecting flight same day to Maui. Email Debbie at info@kulakane.com.
2. We suggest booking with Hawaiian
Airlines to Honolulu, with a connecting flight to Kahului Maui and a similar connecting flight when you leave Maui and return to Auckland. If you depart, say, on a Thursday evening you’ll arrive in Honolulu Thursday morning, the same day. Hawaiian has a generous baggage allowance of 2x 32kg per person, including golf bags, and an affordable generous extra legroom upgrade option. We recommend a lightweight golf bag as all golf is on carts, or rent clubs on Maui. Once aboard, you’ll feel you’re in Hawai’i already!
3. Book a rental car for your stay.
Though you might find discount companies online, we advise to stick with the major companies like Avis, Budget, Alamo, or Hertz who have desks at the airport, and are more reliable. Check if your travel insurance gives cover, rather than take extra cover when signing up.
4. Contact Maui Golf Shop owner Cliff
Council for confirmed tee times at resort courses on Maui. Cliff has premium rental clubs should this be of interest. His special price to you would be $20/day for top-grade clubs. Email Cliff if interested (golfrounds@golf-maui.com) and see if he has clubs similar to yours, then just take balls and tees! (And no spike shoes.)
Suggested Itinerary
Day one:
Arrive to Kulakane
Day two:
Late morning game Royal Ka’anapali Kai course
Day three:
Wailea Blue course
Day four:
Free day, golf optional (maybe Kapalua Bay course)
Day five:
Wailea Emerald course
Day six:
Free day, golf optional
Day seven:
Royal Ka’anapali North Course
Day eight:
Depart Maui
If you’d like a stop off in Waikiki, Darragh Walshe at the Hawai’i Tourism Oceania office in Auckland can help – and advise on additional suggestions to help you plan your holiday to Hawai’i. Email him at info@hawaiitourism.co.nz. More useful info can be found at gohawaii.com/nz.
Not a golfer? Enjoy the itinerary, take out the golf, there’s so much on the island of Maui to experience.
