SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 303

If the length and level of difficulty of the Gold course are intimidating, the Wailea
Emerald (100 Wailea Golf Club Dr., 808/875-7450, www.waileagolf.com ) course has
been called the “pretty sister” of the Gold course and is reputed to be easier for shorter
hitters. Although the course isn't quite as long, this is still a proper resort course with all of
the technical challenges and amenities, so you still need to bring your A-game to get any
birdies. Greens fees will run the same as at the Gold course.
If you're a fan of the movie Old School, or want to play an “oldie but goodie,” the
Wailea “Old Blue” (100 Wailea Golf Club Dr., 808/875-7450, www.waileagolf.com )
course constructed in 1972 is the South Maui original and the second course to be built
on Maui (behind Ka'anapali). More forgiving than the other two courses, rates for “Old
Blue” are more affordable and usually hover around the $90-170 range depending on what
time of day you play and what time of year it is. After you card your best round of your
vacation, head down to Manoli's to celebrate at the bar.
Makena and Beyond
When everything is factored in—design, price, views, and location—my favorite South
Maui golf course is the Makena Golf Course (5415 Makena Alanui Rd., 808/879-3344,
www.makenaresortmaui.com/golf ), also known as the Makena North course. The course
is a 10-minute drive south from Wailea, and the wind down here isn't as much of a factor.
The natural design of the course forces you to weave your way around kiawe trees and
drive over ravines which are laden with jagged lava rocks, so you can forget about play-
ing from out of bounds. In addition to being challenging, the views afforded from the back
nine look out over four different islands. The prices are more affordable than at neighbor-
ing Wailea. Unfortunately, the course is closed through the first quarter of 2014 for a major
renovation, although look for it to be nicer than ever when it eventually does reopen. Al-
though a regular morning round will run $185, guests of certain resorts can play for $169,
it's only $119 after 12pm, and only $90 if you tee off after 3pm (so you can still squeeze
in a round during the longer days of summer).
TENNIS
Kihei
The nicest public courts in Kihei are at Waipuilani Beach Park in front of the Maui Sun-
set condo complex. There are three different sets of courts clustered into groups of two,
and the parklike surroundings and ocean view are a definite asset. The only downside is
that the wind can be so strong during the afternoon hours it's almost impossible to play, so