The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Coore & Crenshaw's spectacular hillside course above the Pacific on Maui — the PGA Tour's season-opening stage, open to any traveler who wants to play it.
The Plantation Course at Kapalua in photos
Can I play The Plantation Course at Kapalua?
Yes — the Plantation Course is a resort course at Kapalua on Maui, open to the public on a pay-and-play basis. Guests of Kapalua-affiliated resorts receive a discounted rate and booking priority, but any visitor can reserve a tee time. It is the course the PGA Tour's best play to open each season at The Sentry.
How to book: Tee times can be booked online at golfatkapalua.com or through the Kapalua resorts; guests of affiliated properties (the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Kapalua Villas among them) get a reduced rate. Reserve well ahead for winter high season, and note the course closes to public play around the early-January Sentry tournament. All rates are subject to Hawaii tax.
About The Plantation Course at Kapalua
Laid out over former pineapple land on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, the Plantation Course was Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw's design debut when it opened in 1991, and it remains their most famous work. Built on an enormous scale to accommodate the trade winds and steep terrain, it features vast fairways, huge contoured greens and sweeping ocean views, culminating in one of golf's most thrilling finishing holes. Since 1999 it has hosted the PGA Tour's season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champions, where the previous year's winners tee it up each January. Despite that spotlight it is a resort course open to the public — any visitor to Maui can play the same fairways the Tour's champions do.
Signature hole
The colossal par-5 18th plunges downhill for more than 660 yards with a huge, rolling green — a downwind, downhill closer where Tour pros routinely reach in two and the crowds gather each January.
What makes it special
The Tour's season opener
Host of the Sentry Tournament of Champions each January, played by the past year's PGA Tour winners.
Coore & Crenshaw's debut
The celebrated architects' first course together, built on a grand scale with wide fairways and huge greens.
An unforgettable 18th
A downhill par-5 of more than 660 yards where the wind, the slope and the ocean backdrop make for a dream finish.
Tournament pedigree
- The Sentry / Sentry Tournament of Champions (PGA Tour season opener, host course since 1999)
Need to know
Best time to play
Kapalua plays year-round; the drier, sunnier months of roughly April through October are ideal, while winter brings bigger surf, the January Sentry tournament and occasional trade-wind rain on this breezy northwest coast.
Dress code
Collared shirts and proper golf attire; no denim or swimwear. Soft spikes only.
Good to know
Carts are included and recommended given the vast scale and elevation change; caddies and forecaddies can be arranged. The fairways are wide and forgiving off the tee, but the wind and enormous greens are the real test — take plenty of club and expect a round over four hours.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Kapalua-West Maui (JHM) ~10 min; Kahului (OGG) ~45 min for most mainland and international arrivals.
On arrival
Kapalua sits at the northwest tip of Maui, about 45 minutes from the main Kahului airport via the Honoapiilani Highway, or ten minutes from the small West Maui airport. Rent a car or arrange a resort transfer; the course is minutes from the Kapalua hotels and villas.
Stay near the course
Stay within Kapalua Resort — the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua or the Kapalua Villas — for discounted golf and easy access; the nearby towns of Kaanapali and Lahaina offer additional beachfront lodging a short drive south.
A taste of the luxury stays near The Plantation Course at Kapalua — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Kapalua, Maui — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Kapalua, Maui.
Explore Kapalua, MauiFrequently asked questions
Can the public play the Plantation Course?
Yes. It is a resort course at Kapalua open to public, pay-and-play tee times. Guests of Kapalua-affiliated resorts get a discount and booking priority, but anyone can play.
How much does it cost to play?
In 2026 expect around $445 for Kapalua resort guests and about $475 standard, plus Hawaii tax and with cart included; premium peak times can run higher. Rates are per round and seasonal.
Do I need to stay at Kapalua to play?
No, but staying at a Kapalua-affiliated resort earns a reduced green fee and priority booking, which helps in the busy winter season.
When is the best time to play?
The drier months of roughly April through October are ideal; note the course closes to public play around the early-January Sentry tournament.
More golf courses to play
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, United States · Coastal
Golf guide
Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course)
La Jolla, San Diego, United States · Coastal
Golf guide
TPC Harding Park
San Francisco, United States · Parkland
Golf guide
Spyglass Hill Golf Course
Pebble Beach, United States · Coastal
Golf guide
Chambers Bay
University Place, United States · Links
Golf guide
Mauna Kea Golf Course
Kohala Coast, United States · Coastal
Golf guideSources & pricing note
Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- The Plantation Course — Kapalua Golf (Official)
- Plantation Course at Kapalua / Kapalua Resort — Wikipedia
- Kapalua Plantation Course rates — Golf.com
Guide updated 2026-07-27.