Kapalua Resort - The Bay Course

This is a magnificent course with great ocean views and better playability for the average golfer than the more robust plantation course. The new hole layouts create a fantastic finish with signature hole par three now number 17 hole. Truly one of the best courses in the world.

This is a must play course! Beautifully manicured, friendly staff, amazing restaurant/ pro shop. The ocean holes are breathtaking, have your camera ready for the whole time, especially 16, 17! The holes not on the ocean are some of the best sculpted holes I’ve ever played. Tee boxes cater to all abilities. Amazing fun!!

The Plantation Course was closed for renovations this time visiting Maui so it gave me a perfect opportunity to play the "other" Kapalua gem. The staff was fantastic and made my wife and me feel so welcome. The starter was a hoot and gave us a full set of instructions and suggestions with a biting wit and sense of humor. The course did not disappoint. The greens were perfect and the pace of play was remarkably quick for a weekend round. I will definitely make the Bay Course part of my schedule on my next trip. I am looking forward to playing the renovated Plantation Course, as well.

Don't pass this up. It is a memorable round of golf

Played Bay 3 times with Kapalua package since Plantation was closed. 17th hole of Bay course most spectacular par 3 I've ever seen. Before we teed off one day we watched a sea turtle swim in crystal blue ocean inlet water we had to hit over. If you believe as I do that golf is a Zen experience as well as a test of mind and body then you'll feel a lot of positive vibes here. It's a beautiful place to test your skills. Service is great, also had a lesson at the Academy that helped my chipping a lot. I feel fortunate to be able to access an experience like this.

Kapalua has been a bucket list destination since I started playing golf. Unfortunately The Plantation Course was under construction, but The Bay Course was open. We were not disappointed. Our group which included my dad, son, brother in law, and nephew were in complete awe. The course was in great shape, everyone from the starter to the bartender at Taverna, was awesome. We were one of the first groups after the twilight rates kicked in, and we finished with plenty of sunlight to spare. We will be back. Next time.....Plantation Course.....

Great course layout with challenging holes and great course maintenance. Staff was friendly and course allows junior golfer free with paid adult in the afternoon

It was one of Hawaii's greats. The views of the ocean were spectacular. The course was in great shape and it rain as expected for 5-10 minutes, not worth putting the umbrella up. Recommend it for any Maui trip.

We played the Bay Course on a very rainy and cold day. Possibly the rainiest and coldest day in a number of years. We enjoyed the experience in spite of the conditions. It's a fun, fair layout with lots of ocean views.

Played January 10th, 2019, a couple days after the PGA event at the plantation course. Prime season with a lot of golfers in town so I will preface my following statements. The course was great (just like most Hawaii courses) but the pace of play was atrocious. Our round was right at 5 hrs. Two and three foursomes on every hole. We played the last hole in the dark (and there were about three foursomes behind us) - got to the ocean holes right at sunset which was super pretty. Unfortunately all the groups behind us had to quit the holes they were on and skip ahead to the ocean holes to get pictures before dark, so there were about 5 groups on two holes. Everyone was understanding of the pace of play and super nice though. I felt the course was a little overpriced. Have played 4 or 5 courses on the big island of Hawaii that I actually liked better and were cheaper. My opinion is if you are only going to play one of the two courses, spend a little more money and play the plantation course. It is fantastic and fun to play where the pros play. Would definitely play this course again though.

I went to Maui with my wife and daughter. We previewed the course on the day we arrived and the wind was blowing so hard, the clubhouse had to be closed. I was worried about my tee time the next day. I woke up the next day and the weather was beautiful. I was paired up with a local player who knew the course and a little bit about the residents, which added to the enjoyment of the day. The course was spectacular in every way. The contours, the challenges, the scenery. All adding up to my recommendation to put this course on your bucket list.

Having moved the clubhouse on Nov 15, 2018 resulted in a new course layout such that you finish on the new 18th, which is the old 6th hole. You might know this hole as an unremarkable par 4 with a really big catch net along the road. Truly uninspiring as a finishing hole.

It's amazing how this decision affects one's desire to play the course and a true demonstration of the impact of proper golf course design/architecture.

Not my first loop through the Bay course, but I won't return as there are simply better courses on Maui to spend $200/round. Specifically go play the Gold course in Wailea.

Here is a course who have it all. Beatiful layout, beatiful conditions, fair for everyone. The 17th hole is one you will remember for life. Will play it again any day...

This was my first time playing the course. This Arnold Palmer designed course gave us plenty of challenges, between the spectacular views and the wind, we were distracted all day. We had an amazing time out there, some good hole and some bad. Staff was great and the food was good. Nothing to complain about, and more to praise.

They have a nice practice range and 2 putting areas. We are off to play Plantation tomorrow and looking forward to making in on the green in 2 in the 18th:)

I have played Pebble Beach and many other top courses in North America but the air, the colours of the mountains and the sea are something you will never feel or see anywhere else. If I had to pick a home course to live out my life this is the place. A short drive to or from Lahaina with its amazing restaurants and art stores is as laid back as you can get on earth.

I played the Bay course yesterday with a 1 p.m. tee time. Incredible views of the Pacific all over the property. The layout and and design of this track was beyond my expectation. I was paired with a guy from Pleasanton, CA, (Zach), and we had a ball. Challenging but fair and we were treated to a peach of a day with little wind and a lot of sunshine. Good pace of play and friendly staff. Hole #5 is obviously a stunner with the tee shot over the ocean. But #16 was my favorite hole, with a river splitting the middle of the fairway leaving a golfer's choice to place the drive left or right. The only down side to the Bay course is the range, which limits your practice shots to 175 yards or less. We were told to not hit the driver at the range. But the overall experience was top-notch.

First off, don't even think about comparing it with the Plantation Course. It's not a fair fight.

But this course is really strong in its own right. The views are terrific, there isn't a bad one anywhere on the property. The two holes on the water have the best views even though the holes are mediocre.

The only criticism is that some of the holes are shoehorned into small spaces. There isn't a lot of room. But the property is so valuable and the real estate around the course is important, thus the reasoning.

But it was in great shape and it's a place where you'd continually go back and always have a fun time.

Kapalua bay is the most overpriced golf course. The weakest two holes are directly on the water. The rest look like Muni holes. The head golf professional doesn't know the first thing about customer service. He was more interested in the money game that went off at noon which comprise of five sums. The pace of play is ridiculous. Is there something better to do with $150? YES!!!

I played both Kapalua courses on this trip and enjoyed both. Plantation is world class but the Bay course is fantastic if you don't compare it to Plantation. Course was in good condition except the greens had been recently aerated and sanded so they were not good. Hole 5 is a par 3 over the ocean that is very scenic. There were a number of other pretty holes. Fairly wide fairways so it was easy to stay out of trouble. Bermuda rough is tough to hit out of. Would definitely play this course when back in Maui.

Plantation: Tough course but very enjoyable. A lot of carries so better for experienced players.

Bay: Great for all players. Spread out tees.

Both: GREAT VIEWS.

I'm from Texas and the best way I can describe this course is one of our beautiful Hill Country resort courses, like Barton Creek or La Cantera, with all of their elevated tee boxes, set on the Pacific Ocean. Front nine is more scenic with holes along the water but back nine has some interesting holes as well. First hole is not as scenic as some others on the island (e.g. Wailea Emerald or even Pukalani for that matter!) but holes #4 and #5 are some of the most beautiful I've ever played. Windy in the afternoon but no more than Pukalani and expected. Beautiful natural beauty inspires my game so I caught fire on the front nine but couldn't keep it together on the back. Overall, an awesome experience that you have to experience at least one but it is expensive.