South Maui makes it almost too easy to plan a beach day. Warm sand, blue water, soft trade winds, and plenty of reasons to stay put until sunset.
But if you’re the kind of traveler who packs golf shoes before sandals, South Maui has you covered.
Kīhei and Wailea are home to some of Maui’s best golf, with ocean views, lava rock walls, resort-level service, and enough wind to keep every round interesting. The beach can come later. First, book a tee time.
Make Your Trip To South Maui A Golfing Destination
Maui Nui Golf Club
Formerly Elleair Maui Golf Club, Maui Nui Golf Club is one of South Maui’s easiest courses to love.
Located in Kīhei, just minutes from Wailea, this par 71 course keeps things fun, casual, and scenic. It’s a strong pick for golfers who want a good round without the full resort price tag. You’ll get ocean views, looks toward Haleakalā, and on clear days, a peek at Molokini out in the channel.
The trade winds are part of the game here. Some holes give you help. Some holes make you earn it. You’ll play with crosswinds, uphill lies, downhill looks, and enough change in the land to keep the round from feeling flat.
Maui Nui is a good fit for:
- Vacation golfers who want a relaxed round
- Players looking for better value in South Maui
- Families or mixed-skill groups
- Anyone who wants range time before or after golf
One 2026 perk worth knowing, Maui Nui has Maui’s only Toptracer Range. That means you can practice, play virtual games, or turn a casual range session into a fun evening plan: look out for their ‘Cosmic Drive’ nights for a glow-in-the-dark range experience. Book a Tee Time Now!
Wailea Gold Course
Wailea Gold is the big one.
This par 72 course is the most demanding of Wailea’s trio, with lava rock walls, deep bunkers, natural folds in the land, and long ocean views that can steal your focus at exactly the wrong moment. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones II and has hosted legends, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player during its Champions Skins Game years. It’s often called the “thinking man’s course” because of the required strategy.
Gold rewards smart play. You’ll want to think through club choice, landing areas, and the wind before getting too bold.
That said, don’t let the reputation scare you off. Wailea Gold has multiple tee boxes on every hole, so golfers with different skill levels can still enjoy the course without feeling punished all day. Book a Tee Time Now!
Play Wailea Gold if you want:
- The toughest Wailea round
- A classic resort golf experience
- Big views and a strong layout
- A course that asks for patience, not just power
Wailea Emerald Course
Wailea Emerald is pretty, but it’s not just a pretty course.
This par 72 course is known for ocean views, colorful landscaping, and a more forgiving feel than Gold. It’s often praised as one of the most women-friendly and couples-friendly courses around, thanks to fewer forced carries and a layout that gives players more room to enjoy the round. Both Gold and Emerald are par 72 and designed by Robert Trent Jones II. The “double green” on holes 10 and 17 of the Emerald is a classic feature.
That doesn’t mean it’s sleepy. Emerald still asks for good ball placement, smart club selection, and a steady hand around the greens.
The double green shared by holes 10 and 17 is one of the course’s best moments. There’s a lake, an ocean backdrop, and a very real chance you’ll pause longer than needed before putting.
Play Wailea Emerald if you want:
- A beautiful Wailea round
- A course that works well for couples
- A friendlier layout than Gold
- Ocean views without quite as much bite
The restaurant at the Gold/Emerald clubhouse is now Gather on Maui (formerly Gannon’s). It’s one of the best “golf lunch” spots on the island, known for its panoramic views of Molokini. Book a Tee Time Now!
Wailea Blue Course
The course many longtime Maui golfers still think of as Old Blue is now listed by Wailea Golf Club as the Wailea Blue Course.
Blue was Wailea’s original layout, designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, and it still has that classic island resort feel. Expect coral sand bunkers, tropical landscaping, sloping fairways, and wide views of Wailea, Haleakalā, the ocean, and nearby islands.
This par 71 course is welcoming, but it’s not a throwaway round. The fairways give you some room, then the bunkers and greens remind you to pay attention.
Since its successful reopening, Blue is a great choice if you want a slightly more relaxed Wailea round without giving up the scenery. Book a Tee Time Now!
Play Wailea Blue if you want:
- A classic Maui resort course
- A fair but still interesting layout
- A good option for mixed-skill groups
- Wailea views without the heavier test of Gold
So, Which South Maui Course Should You Play?
Choosing just one is the hard part.
Pick Maui Nui if you want a fun Kīhei round with good value, ocean views, and a more laid-back feel.
Pick Wailea Gold if you want the strongest test and don’t mind working for your score.
Pick Wailea Emerald if you want a gorgeous course that’s friendly, scenic, and still plenty engaging.
Pick Wailea Blue if you want old-school Wailea charm, resort views, and a course that feels classic without feeling too severe.
Or skip the choosing and play them all. That’s the nice thing about turning South Maui into a golf trip, your next tee time is never very far away.
