Two Courses. One Iconic Destination.
Kaʻanapali Golf Courses
Kaʻanapali Golf Courses has defined Maui resort golf since 1962 – and it's still the standard everything else is measured against.
Overview
Where Maui Golf Began
On the western shore of Maui, framed by the Pacific Ocean, the neighboring islands of Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, and the dramatic backdrop of the West Maui Mountains, Kaʻanapali Golf Courses occupies a setting that has shaped Hawaiian golf for more than six decades.
It began in 1962, when developer AMFAC opened the Royal Kaʻanapali Course as part of one of Hawaiʻi's first master-planned resort communities – and with it, created the first resort golf course in the state of Hawaiʻi. The vision was bold: a destination where world-class golf would anchor a complete resort experience. Bing Crosby led the ceremonial opening foursome down the first fairway, joined by Francis Hyde Iʻi Brown – a descendant of Hawaiian nobility and one of Hawaiʻi's most accomplished golfers – along with AMFAC president C. Hutton Smith and PGA Tour player Jimmy Hines. That spirit of occasion has never left.
Today, two distinct 18-hole layouts – the Royal and the Kai – serve golfers of every ability level in one of the most walkable, resort-integrated settings in the state. Both courses rank among Hawaiʻi's Top 25 public layouts according to GolfPass, whose annual Golfers' Choice rankings are based entirely on reviews by everyday players. The Royal was ranked No. 10 and the Kai No. 19 for 2026 – a reflection not just of the courses themselves, but of the staff and experience that surrounds them.
Kaʻanapali Golf Courses is owned by Host Hotels and managed by Troon, the world's largest golf management company, located in Lahaina on Maui's west side.
The Royal Kaʻanapali Course
Maui's Original Championship Layout
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. – one of the most influential golf course architects in history – the Royal routes from sea-level terrain up toward the foothills of the West Maui Mountains and back again, creating dramatic elevation changes, sweeping views, and a layout that rewards strategic thinking as much as raw distance. Wind, slope, and positioning are central to the experience. Arnold Palmer once praised the Royal's closing hole as one of the finest and most challenging finishing holes he had ever played.
Between 2005 and 2007, Hawaiʻi-based architect Robin Nelson led a $13 million renovation of both courses, repositioning bunkers, resurfacing greens, and adding tee complexes while preserving the architectural intent of the original designers.
Notable Holes
The round begins with an invitation. "E Komo Mai" – welcome – is one of three par 5s on the Royal Course, playing 519 yards from the back tees. The hole is guarded by water and bunkers, rewarding precision players who make three solid shots. Longer hitters can go for it in two, but wind is always a factor.
Named for the island clearly visible from the tee box, the 10th is a downhill 454-yard par 4 with out-of-bounds on both sides. The smart play is to aim for the right side of the fairway to set up your approach shot. Front bunkers guard the green and there's a steep hill in back – don't go long. The putting surface features a notable elevation change from front to back, and the grain makes it one of the trickier greens to read on the course.
A 437-yard par 4 that drops 50 feet from tee to green with the Pacific Ocean and the Kaʻanapali Resort in the backdrop. What grabs golfers' attention is the pōhaku – the Hawaiian word for stone – positioned in the fairway as both a guide and an obstacle. The fairway slopes from left to right, and the trade winds shape every shot. A well-placed drive using the stone as a target puts players in position; misjudge your distance and you're left with a tricky angle. Out-of-bounds lines the left side.
Arnold Palmer called it one of the finest and most challenging finishing holes he ever played, and it's easy to understand why. At 440 yards from the back tees, the 18th demands a forced carry over water off the tee, with a large lake running the entire right side of the hole. A prominent fairway bunker sits on the left at 230–260 yards. Out-of-bounds runs left. The green is bunkered left and slopes toward the water.
Championship History
The Kaʻanapali Kai Course
Resort Golf at Its Most Welcoming
Where the Royal tests your game, the Kai invites you into it. Designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, the Kai traces its origins to a nine-hole executive layout built in 1967. Wide landing areas, approachable green complexes, and a routing that moves naturally across the southern portion of the property make it genuinely welcoming without being a pushover.
Notable Holes
Set on the southernmost edge of the property, these two holes feel like a different corner of the island entirely. The Pacific views here – with Lānaʻi across the channel and the West Maui Mountains often framing afternoon rainbows – are among the best on either course. Hole 2 is a 370-yard par 4 that rewards a smart tee shot to a fairway that slopes right, with a narrow green. Hole 3 is a par 3 stretching to 225 yards from the back tees, guarded by bunkers on both sides and complicated by swirling trade winds.
Pairs panoramic ocean views with sightlines of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi in the distance, creating one of the most scenic settings at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses. The downhill par 4 blends natural beauty with a thoughtful test of club selection and course management.
A par 3 that has quietly earned a reputation for producing holes-in-one. Test your skills – and maybe walk away with a story to tell.
A 402-yard par 4 with a lagoon fronting the green, requiring commitment and precise club selection on the approach. The hole sits adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, and its fairway – with beautiful views and a private location – is one of Kaʻanapali's most popular venues for private and corporate events, including sunset dinners and awards receptions. Just beyond the green, along the Kaʻanapali Historical Trail, a marker tells the story of the Owl Cave – a site once guarded, according to local legend, by the Hawaiian owl (pueo), regarded as a protective spirit.
At 348 yards from the back tees, the 18th is a dogleg left lined with coconut trees on both sides. Long hitters may be tempted to get aggressive, but the smart play is restraint – a tee shot of about 220 yards sets up a manageable approach. A water feature fronts the green, and out-of-bounds runs both left and right.
Family & Junior Features
The Experience
What to Expect at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses
Both courses are built into the Kaʻanapali Resort, one of Maui's original master-planned resort communities. Hotels, condominiums, restaurants, and the beach are all within easy walking distance – you can finish a morning round and be on Kaʻanapali Beach within minutes.
Where to Stay
Stay and Play — Resorts at Kaʻanapali
One of Kaʻanapali Golf Courses' greatest strengths is the concentration of quality resort accommodations within easy reach of both courses.
The Hyatt sits adjacent to the Kai Course's 16th hole, making it one of the most walkable hotel-to-golf pairings on the island. Nashville Nights, held seasonally on the oceanfront Halona Kai lawn, brings nationally recognized country artists for intimate open-air performances. The resort's stargazing program, guided by NASA Solar System Ambassador Eddie Mahoney, has been named the world's top hotel for stargazing, with 80 of 88 constellations visible from the rooftop.
Following a $160 million renovation, the Westin Maui sits just steps from both courses and Kaʻanapali Beach. The Hōkūpaʻa Tower features exclusive access to The Lānai, a second-story hideaway with panoramic ocean views and cocktail plunge pools. The Valley Alley – a 10,000-square-foot entertainment hub – features Topgolf Swing Suites, duckpin bowling, and arcade games. Dining highlights include Ulu Kitchen, helmed by Chef Peter Merriman, and Hale Moʻolelo for casual beachfront meals with nightly live music.
The OUTRIGGER serves as the host hotel for the annual Kaʻanapali Classic by OUTRIGGER collegiate tournament. The Kawenaokeao Cultural Center offers lei-making, hula dancing, and Hawaiian language lessons. Maui Brewing Company operates on-site with 270-degree oceanfront views. A meaningful welcome tradition: guests receive a lei kukui on their first visit, with each return adding another white kukui nut.
Recently reimagined through a multimillion-dollar renovation, Royal Lahaina sits directly on Kaʻanapali Beach and features a new oceanfront spa with five private treatment suites and a serenity lanai. The Branches – an outdoor gathering space under a 100-year-old, 40-foot rubber tree with a 75-foot canopy – hosts events from intimate dinners to 100-person receptions.
Built around the sacred lava rock promontory of Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock) on 23 oceanfront acres, the Sheraton is home to one of Kaʻanapali's most iconic traditions – the nightly Cliff Dive Ritual, performed every evening since January 23, 1963. A warrior in traditional malo lights torches, traces an ancient path to the summit, and dives into the Pacific in honor of Chief Kahekili. December through April, the Sheraton's location makes it one of the best spots on the beach to watch humpback whales from shore.
Beyond the Course
More to Do Near Kaʻanapali Golf Courses
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
?What courses are at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?What is the difference between the Royal and Kai courses?›
?Is Kaʻanapali Golf good for beginners?›
?Can you walk at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?What are green fees at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?Who designed Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?What tournaments has Kaʻanapali Golf Courses hosted?›
?What is the best time of year to play golf at Kaʻanapali?›
?Are there golf lessons available at Kaʻanapali?›
?Can you rent clubs at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?Is Kaʻanapali good for families?›
?What is Rock ʻN Range at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?What dining is available at Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?What is near Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
?Who owns and manages Kaʻanapali Golf Courses?›
Ready to Play?
Book Your Round at Kaʻanapali
Kaʻanapali Golf Courses is open year-round. Book tee times online or call directly to plan your round on the Royal or Kai.
Kaʻanapali Talk Story Newsletter
News from the Fairways of Kaʻanapali
Catch up on the latest from Kaʻanapali Golf Courses — tournament recaps, course updates, events at the clubhouse, and stories from around the resort. Our current issue is the March–April 2026 edition.
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