The King Kamehameha Golf Club

Description

For the scratch golfer who plays here from the tips, look out: The King Kamehameha Golf Club has Maui’s highest USGA Course Rating at 75.7. Bogey golfers who play the Ke‘oke‘o (white) tees will fare far better with Maui’s 5th-to-last USGA Slope Rating. Forward-thinking golfers who play the red (Ula‘ula) tees will find it is tough, as Maui’s 3rd highest Slope. Not overly long, but the 214-yard average par 3 length ranks No.1. Most holes are level or actually play downhill and feature lots of roll. The normally stiff trade winds are a big factor. The King Kamehameha Golf Club fairways are large targets and roughs are cut reasonably short, but not the shortest by any means. The King Kamehameha Golf Club features many doglegs as holes hug the terrain, which tends to be hilly and features numerous elevated greens. Bunkers in fairways and by greens are deep, with often high lips. The stance and lie in the fairways is usually level. The green sizes are big and as targets are very manageable, but fast and undulating. Holes are often cut on ledges or behind forboding bunkers, demanding accuracy off the tee. Water comes into play on five holes.

Dave’ Take:

The only 18-hole private course on Maui, and it is everything you’d expect a private course to be: immaculate conditioned golf course, spectacular clubhouse and amenities, professional, friendly and courteous staff. Part of the challenge of this course is the location (see Kahili but higher up the hillside). The greens are half the challenge; the wind is the rest. Greens are small by Maui standards requiring well-placed second shots. Most holes are either straight into the wind or with the wind. Long par 4s like the 15th are driver, wedge; short par 4s like No. 2 are driver and everything you’ve got in your bag!