Wailea Old Blue

Description

For scratch golfers Wailea Old Blue is Maui’s 4th easiest from the tips. Bogey golfers playing from the ‘whites’ will score better here than even on the Wailea Emerald Course, with the USGA rating it as Maui’s 3rd easiest from the whites. Forward-thinking golfers who play the red tees will find it is also Maui’s 3rd easiest, and for ladies it is just a paltry two-tenths of a shot stronger than the Wailea Emerald Course. Wailea Old Blue effectively plays to its shortish length. There are about as many uphill shots as there are downhill ones. Roll is a little less extreme, but several holes do have slopes that run away from where you want to be. Roughs are cut short and allow for recovery, although many greens are narrow targets and can be tricky to hit or hold from the short side. The few sharp doglegs favor mostly the draw, although a fade is the shot off several tees. The Blue’s topography is hilly with fairways often lower than the tees and greens, except on two of the reachable par 5s. Several holes may feature a side-, up-, or downhill lie or stance depending on where you place your drives. The green sizes are large and hold very well. Most are bunkered to the sides more than in front. Hole locations are mostly level. Fear isn’t an emotion you will feel much of on Wailea Old Blue. The Wailea Old Blue Golf Club competes with Elleair Maui Golf Club, Pukalani Country Club, Kahili Golf Course, and The Dunes at Maui Lani for the higher-paying visitor.

Dave’s Take:

The first course built in Wailea, not overly fancy or resortish (a new word) but fun and challenging nonetheless. Fairways are wide, and there is little trouble off the tees, which is a good thing. Hole No. 8 is one of my favorites—420 yards, trees left, bunker right, second shot to a long elevated green—4 is a real good score here. I really like the friendly, local atmosphere of this course, and no place can beat the 19th Hole at the Blue: Mulligan’s, an authentic Irish pub to settle your bets and drown your sorrows.