Scratch golfers playing The Dunes at Maui Lani from the tips are in store for a lot of fun as this has Maui’s second highest USGA Course Rating. Staying on the Black tees, bogey golfers who boldly go where no bogey golfer should ever go (on this course) will find the cards are stacked against them as The Dunes at Maui Lani also has the highest, USGA Slope Rating of all the courses on Maui. Moving back to the Blue (whites comparatively speaking) the bogey golfer is still going to have his or hands full: from these tees it’s also Maui’s toughest venue. But forward-thinking golfers who play the Red tees (men or women) will experience a different Dunes: one that is easier on the ego, with Slope Ratings near the bottom of the charts. The Dunes at Maui Lani doesn’t play long. Even when the wind kicks it doesn’t play long. There’s plenty of roll, and all tee shots play level or downhill. Winds can blow, making the somewhat narrow fairways seem tighter. Roughs are not penal, but bunkers are, and are aplenty. The one sharp dogleg favors the fade. Topography is hilly as the course is built on dunes formed by the receding seas eons ago. The greens are smaller targets that can be hard to hold, and hole locations can be brutal. Water comes into play on three holes. Easy to underestimate this course. The Dunes at Maui Lani competes with Elleair Maui Golf Club, Pukalani Country Club, Kahili Golf Course, and Wailea Old Blue Golf Club for the higher-paying visitor. Click here to see our special discount program for this golf course.
Dave’s Take:
A public course with the “wow” factor….The wow being…”Wow, I can’t believe how tough that course is!” The first three holes lull you to sleep in thinking that this course is a breeze, but then hold on to your hat! Elevation changes, contoured fairways, water, slick greens and the wind will challenge every shot. The par 5 4th hole, the par 4 10th and the par 5 18th are some of the toughest holes on the island. I dare you to two-putt the 4th hole—it’s not called the “Augusta Green” for nothing.
