Wailea Gold Course, for scratch golfers, is Maui’s second longest course from the tips. Bogey golfers aren’t as affected by the yardage, as the Gold is ranked 8th from the ‘whites’. Forward-thinking golfers who play the Wailea Gold Course’s red tees will find it is 4th in length on Maui. Roll is a factor and is often offset by elevation, and winds are (for the most part) barely noticeable. But despite its length, the Wailea Gold Course doesn’t play as long as windier courses. Keeping the ball in play is essential on the Wailea Gold Course, as lava and kiawe trees border all fairways, which are wide and manageable targets. Roughs are cut short and allow for recovery. The few sharp doglegs on the Wailea Gold Course favor mostly the draw. Topography is hilly on the Gold. You can hit the fairways, and when you are precise, you will have an even lie or stance. The green sizes are mostly large and undulating but hold well. Hole locations can impact putting here. The Wailea Gold Course has the most bunkers (93) of any isle venue. While this may sound horrible, the Wailea Gold Course is not a very hard golf course by any means. Water comes into play only once, and can be avoided altogether. Golfers shouldn’t be intimidated by the Wailea Gold Course. Robert Trent Jones II designed the Wailea Gold Course with the resort guest in mind.
Dave’s Take:
Resort golf at its finest, with a twist. The twist being the rolling, undulating fairways that add to the challenge of this course. If you don’t like to contend with the elements…then play golf in Wailea. However, you will have no one to blame but yourself if the course takes you to your knees. The views on this course are spectacular and its condition impeccable. Look out for the lava rock waste areas. If your ball goes in and you find it, it will look like it came out of a Vegematic!
