You’ve seen it on TV every January for decades. That massive, sweeping downhill finishing hole where pros hit 400-yard drives that seem to roll forever toward the Pacific. But lately, things have been different for Kapalua Golf: The Plantation Course.
Honestly, it’s been a rough ride for the most famous track in Hawaii. If you were looking for the 2026 Sentry tournament on your calendar, you probably noticed a gaping hole. The PGA Tour actually scrapped the event for 2026. Why? A brutal, lingering drought on Maui.
It sounds weird, right? A tropical paradise running out of water? But that’s the reality. By late 2025, over 90% of the region was parched. The course went under "Tier 4" water restrictions—basically zero irrigation. The grass turned brown. The dirt got thirsty. For a while, the place looked more like a desert than a world-class resort.
The 2026 Reality Check
The PGA Tour made the call in September 2025. They couldn’t guarantee "Tour-standard" conditions, so they pulled the plug on the 2026 Sentry. It was a huge blow for the local community, especially since the tournament is such a massive charitable engine for Maui.
But here’s the twist: the course is actually open for you to play right now.
While the pros aren't there this January, the agronomy team pulled off a minor miracle. Since November 2025, Kapalua Golf: The Plantation Course has been back in business for public play. They used the downtime to let the Celebration Bermudagrass—a tough-as-nails variety installed during the 2019 renovation—do its thing. It recovered way faster than anyone expected once the restrictions eased slightly to Tier 3.
It’s kinda fascinating. While the Tour needs "perfect" neon-green grass for TV cameras, the "brown is beautiful" vibe of a firm, fast course is actually how Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw intended it to play.
Why This Course Is Built Differently
Most people don't realize that this was the very first project Coore and Crenshaw ever did together. They opened it in 1991 on an old pineapple plantation. Back then, people thought they were crazy. The slopes were too steep. The wind was too high. The scale was just... enormous.
But that’s exactly what makes it work.
It’s a Par 73 (Yes, Really)
You don't see many Par 73s on the pro circuit. The layout is funky. You’ve got:
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- Only three Par 3s.
- Four Par 5s (including that monster 663-yard 18th).
- Massive fairways that look like they could fit three football fields side-by-side.
The scale is intentionally huge because the wind on the West Maui Mountains is no joke. If the fairways were narrow, the trade winds would blow every ball into a canyon. By making the course "wide," the designers gave you a chance. You still have to pick the right side of the fairway to get a good angle, but at least you aren't losing a box of balls every nine holes.
The 2019 "Restoration" vs. A Redesign
People use the word "renovation" a lot, but Bill Coore calls it a "refining." In 2019, they spent nine months and millions of dollars to "dust off" the masterpiece.
They didn't change the routing. That would be impossible anyway, given the canyons. Instead, they focused on the ground game. Over 30 years, the original greens had lost their shape. They had "shrunk" because of years of mowing and top-dressing. Coore and Crenshaw brought back the original "pins"—the spots where you can actually put a hole—by rebuilding every single green complex.
They also laser-leveled the tee boxes and capped the whole thing with Celebration Bermudagrass. This specific grass is a game-changer for Maui. It’s drought-tolerant and handles the "firm and fast" requirement perfectly. Without that 2019 grass upgrade, the course might not have survived the 2025 drought at all.
The Infamous 18th Hole
Let’s talk about that finish. Hole 18 is a 663-yard beast. On paper, that sounds miserable. In reality? It’s probably the most fun you’ll ever have on a golf course.
Because it’s so severely downhill, a well-struck drive catches a "speed slot." I’ve seen average hitters crack 300-yard drives there just because the topography does the work for them. It’s a boomerang-shaped hole that dares you to cut the corner over the canyon. If you've ever wanted to feel like Rory McIlroy for exactly five seconds, this is the spot to do it.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kapalua
A common myth is that you need a massive handicap to play here.
Kinda true, kinda not.
From the "Tour" tees, the course rating is a staggering 77.0 with a slope of 144. That is "bring an extra sleeve of balls" territory. But the resort tees are much more manageable. The designers built in "ground game" options. If you can’t fly the ball 250 yards over a ravine, there’s usually a way to scurry it along the turf.
Another misconception? That it’s always sunny.
The Plantation Course sits on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. It’s lush for a reason—it usually gets a lot of rain. You can start your round in 80-degree sunshine and finish it in a misty "sideways rain" microclimate. It’s part of the charm, or part of the frustration, depending on how you're scoring.
Is It Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s be real. Kapalua Golf: The Plantation Course isn't cheap. Green fees often north of $400 make it a "bucket list" item rather than a weekly haunt.
But you aren't just paying for the grass. You’re paying for the view of Molokai across the Pailolo Channel. You’re paying to walk the same fairways where Tiger, Spieth, and Rahm have staged legendary battles.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
If you’re planning to play, here is the "insider" way to do it:
- Book the Morning: The trade winds usually kick up after 11:00 AM. If you want a lower score, play early. If you want the "true" Kapalua experience (battling 30mph gusts), play at 1:00 PM.
- Watch the Grain: The greens are TifEagle Bermuda. The "grain" (the way the grass grows) almost always pulls toward the ocean. Even if a putt looks like it breaks uphill, if it’s headed toward the water, it’s going to be faster than you think.
- Take a Caddie: If it's your first time, the blind tee shots (like on Hole 4 and Hole 17) will wreck your psyche. A caddie will tell you exactly where to aim so you don't end up in a pineapple field.
- Check the Bay Course too: If the Plantation is sold out or too intimidating, the Bay Course is right down the street. It’s an Arnold Palmer design and features the only hole on Maui that plays directly over the ocean.
The 2026 season might be a quiet one for professional golf on Maui, but for the rest of us, the course is arguably in a very unique state. It’s recovered from the brink of a water crisis and is playing exactly how a links-style mountain course should: fast, firm, and a little bit wild.
Don't let the lack of a TV tournament fool you. The "arms embracing the sea" (which is what Kapalua means) are still open for business. Just make sure you aim a little further left on 18 than you think you need to.
Next Steps for Your Maui Golf Trip:
- Check the current wind advisories on the local Maui weather stations before booking your tee time.
- Verify the latest "Kama'aina" (local) rates if you are a Hawaii resident, as these fluctuate based on course demand.
- Review the "Troon International" app for real-time GPS yardages and green depths before you head to the first tee.