The tranquil vistas of the Pacific Ocean and neighboring island of Molokai
make the Plantation course at Kapalua Resort in Maui one of the most
inspirational golf courses of modern vintage, but the tantalizing views
often obscure the clever routing and classic features that Bill Coore and Ben
Crenshaw infused into a rugged landscape that used to be a pineapple
field.
Home of the tour’s season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, the
par-73 Plantation is spread over 240 acres to allow for a pair of natural
forces that heavily influence shot values: wind and slope. Holes like the
663-yard 18th drop more than 150 feet from tee to green, so even a mid-handicap
might find the full 7,411 yards negotiable in the trade winds.The contours
can lead to quirky shot selections and mind-blowing club choices, but the
architects’ sober, throwback elements—fairways 50 yards or wider, minimal bunker
use, large and dramatic greens accessible in front to shots along the ground,
and clandestine chipping areas—ensure playability without surrendering to
predictability. As good as the sights are, this design is all about
feel.
