Home to some of the world’s best golf courses, Maui is undoubtedly an ideal destination for golfers of all kinds. Maui’s topography is dominated by the 10,000 ft high Mt. Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain ranges. Although you can play golf in various parts of the island, one of the best places to enjoy a round of golf is in South Maui.
Blessed with several miles of white sandy beaches, South Maui is the island’s sunniest and driest part. It consists of the towns of Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea, and Makena, and a great place to spend lazy days at the beach while also taking part in some fun outdoor activities such as playing golf. In fact, it is home to Hawaii’s top golf courses. The best part is that these golf courses are surrounded by affordable Maui vacation rental properties, which is an ideal base for those going to Maui for a golf holiday.
Here’s everything you need to know about playing golf in South Maui.
When Is the Best Time to Play Golf In South Maui?
You can play golf in Hawaii any time of the year, but especially when you want to escape the cold and snowy mainland. The weather in Maui is always ideal for playing golf, although the summer can be a little bit warmer and the winter a bit cooler and having a little less sunlight. However, the island’s location near the equator means the temperatures and daylight do not fluctuate too often.
The best thing about the climate in Maui is that the weather can be different on each part of the island. South Maui is the calmest and driest on the island, which is why most tourists would prefer to stay here. Not only that, but it’s also home to some of the best vacation condos in Maui, and most of these are in proximity to the top golf courses in the area.
The best time to play golf is in the morning. But if you are willing to wait until after 11 AM or even in the afternoon, you could take advantage of the discounted rates that some golf courses would offer.
Where To Play Golf in South Maui?
There are more than a dozen golf courses in Maui, and three of these are in Wailea Golf Club. These are the Gold, Blue, and Emerald. If you are staying in any of the luxury condos of Wailea, then you will have easy access to these golf courses. The Gold Golf Course is the most popular of all the three golf courses in the Wailea Golf Club.
If you prefer to play in an area that opens to some of the multi-million dollar homes in Maui, then you will love playing at the Blue Course. But this golf course is half-private, so you may have to call in advance to get tee times. There are instances when this golf course will be exclusive to members only.
At the Gold and Emerald Courses, you will find a shop offering golf hats, rental cabs, golf shirts, balls, and golf bags. After playing a round of golf, enjoy cold drinks at the cozy cafe that opens to the stunning views of the sea. The Blue Course was redesigned recently, and it now has a clubhouse of its own, just up the hill coming from The Shops at Wailea.
If you’re looking for the best deals on golf fees, check out the Maui Nui Golf Club in Kihei, a public golf course that is challenging and fun for golfers of all skill levels. They offer good rates on greens fees and a Play & Save Program, where you could take advantage of some golf promotions and specials. If you are staying in a vacation condo in South Kihei, the Maui Nui Golf Club is only five minutes drive away.
How To Save Money on Your Maui Golf Holiday?
There are a variety of ways you can save money on your golf holiday to Maui. Some resorts offer “stay and play packages,” where you can book a holiday package that already includes the accommodation and entry to the top golf courses in South Maui, so better take advantage of these. But if you plan on staying longer to fully enjoy everything that the top golf courses in Maui have to offer, consider staying at a vacation rental in Maui.
There are many ways in which you can save money when staying at a vacation rental. First of all, it allows you to cook your meals since these properties are equipped with kitchen and cooking facilities. As you know, eating out could cost a lot of money. But when you stay at a vacation rental in Maui, you can shop at the grocery store and prepare your food.
Vacation rentals also come with laundry facilities, allowing you to wash your clothes, which means you can save money on baggage fees since you do not need to pack a lot of clothing for your golf holiday. And in this day and age where traveling can be a hassle, traveling light is definitely the best way to go!
You might be tempted to stay at those luxury golf resorts that offer golf vacation packages, but many of these resorts charge hidden fees on top of what you are paying for the vacation packages. Since the staff will serve you during the entire duration of your stay, there is the added pressure of giving them a tip. These might only be a small amount, but they could eventually add up.
Golf is a great activity to enjoy on your holiday in Maui, especially if you are staying in South Maui. Even if you are not an avid golfer, golf is something to consider while on holiday in Maui. And if you want to save money on your golf holiday, stay in an affordable Maui condo rental, especially in the area of Wailea, where you will have easy access to some of the top golf courses in the area.