Situated on 300 acres of sacred lands once home to the Royal Chiefs of Maui, Ka‘anapali Golf Courses offers 36 holes of panoramic views of Lana‘i, Molokai and the West Maui Mountains. As part of the Ka‘anapali Beach Resort Association, guests can stay at one of 13 beautiful hotels and resorts. The community is anchored by Whalers Village, a beachside shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, a whaling museum, hula lessons and other entertaining activities.
Three miles south lies the historic town of Lahaina, which translates to “relentless sun” in Hawaiian. The bustling area is filled with shops and plays host to the annual Thanksgiving-week college basketball tournament, the Maui Jim Invitational.
ROYAL KA‘ANAPALI
Opened in 1962 by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the par-71, 6,700-yard Royal Ka‘anapali is renowned for its forgiving fairways, quick undulating greens and trade winds. Beginning at sea level, the course hugs the shoreline before rising into the foothills, where bird’s-eye views are abundant. The opening hole of the Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course offers a golfing adventure that invites both precision and daring.
Aptly named “E Komo Mai,” which translates to “welcome” in Hawaiian, the hole warmly greets those who enjoy easing into their round.
“E Komo Mai is a great welcoming hole to get out there to make a birdie,” said PGA Teaching Professional Chris Armanini.
One of the three par fives on the course, the first hole offers a couple of different ways to approach the green – precision players can make three solid shots to get it close, while longer hitters can go for it in two, depending on wind conditions.
Arnold Palmer remarked, “The 18th hole is one of the best and most challenging finishing holes that I have ever played.”
18th Hole
As you journey through the Royal Course, you will notice historical plaques on each tee, sharing the history and stories of K’anapali. The course will take you Makai (Oceanside) and then bring you into the West Maui Mountain foothills (Mauka) with stunning panoramic views.
Royal Ka‘anapali gained international notoriety by hosting high-profile events, including Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf (1964), Canada Cup (1964), LPGA Women’s Kemper Open (1982-85), PGA TOUR Champions’ Ka‘anapali Classic (1987-2000) and SKINS Game (2008-11) and Ka’anapali Collegiate Invitational (2014-2019, 2021, 2022).
KA‘ANAPALI KAI
The Ka’anapali Kai Golf Course offers a beautiful setting with views of the Pacific Ocean and the West Maui Mountains. The course features strategic shots, lush fairways, challenging holes, and stunning scenery, making it a popular choice for both seasoned golfers and those looking to enjoy a shorter round of golf. The Kai Course complements the nearby Royal Ka’anapali Course, offering players a variety of golfing experiences in a picturesque Hawaiian setting.
Along many holes on the Ka’anapali Kai Course lie natural canals, gulches and lava rock boundaries. The course is landscaped with native flowers along the trails like the hibiscus, bougainvillea and plumeria, as well as the Norfolk Pines and coconut trees that border many fairways. These features are part of what makes the course most enjoyable. Ka’anapali Kai Course was redesigned by Hawaii’s most prolific golf course architect, Robin Nelson. This course focuses on strategy of your round, not necessarily distance or strength, which is why this course is enjoyed by both the beginner and avid golfer.
Ka’anapali Kai Course was originally created as an executive course and was later redesigned by architect Arthur Jack Snyder in 1976. At 6,400 yards, the par 70 course is a more forgiving golf course with subtle, undulating greens that accommodates all levels of play. The land on which Ka’anapali Golf Courses was founded, originally housed a sugar cane plantation.
Once the vacation place of the Royal Chiefs of Maui it was the perfect escape for royalty who enjoyed many games including a form of lawn bowling using stones on what are now the fairways of the K’anapali Kai Golf Course.
Your journey today begins Makai (Oceanside), then takes you into the foothills of the West Maui Mountains (Mauka), offering breathtaking views of our Kai (Ocean) and neighboring islands. Experience K’anapali.
