News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Scott_Burroughs

  • Karma: +0/-0
Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« on: January 05, 2006, 11:01:42 AM »
With the Mercedes starting today, I figured now was as good
a time as any to show my pics of the Plantation Course at
Kapalua, taken early last year.  It was still my old camera
then, and about 4-5 shots didn't come out.

The downhill, downwind 1st, with a fairway seemingly 100 yards wide.


The approach to the 1st.  I had a pic from front left of the
green, showing the left-to-right tilt, but it didn't come through.


My pics for #2 didn't come out either.  Here's the tee shot on the par 4 3rd, back into the wind.


Approach to #3.  That is Jim Furyk's home behind the green.


The severely uphill and blind tee shot to #4.  Had to catch my breath after walking up that one.


Approach to #4:


Closer in, showing the side-by-side tiers.


The gorgeous view of Moloka'i from the 5th tee.


The tee shot on the par 5 5th.


The 2nd shot plays to the left to leave a short approach...


From about here...


The tee shot on the blind par 4 6th.  The aiming pole is the
optimal line for going for the green.  Bunkers in middle of fairway.


From left of the bunkers, the view down the hill to the
green.  A very fun shot, having it run all the way down the hill, w/o going long.


From the green, looking back up the fairway.


The way-downhill tee shot on the long (in yardage only) par 4 7th.


The fun approach to #7, where you can land short, and have it run on.


The well-known par 3 8th.


A short par 5 on paper, #9 plays longer into the teeth of the prevailing winds.


Into the strong winds, the 2nd shot on #9 to the fairway across the gully isn't so simple.


Like #4, the other steeply uphill tee shot on the course, at #10 and another catch-your-breath walk.


Approach to #10 from the left side.


The picturesque short par 3 11th.


the downwind, downhill tee shot on #12, where hugging the
bunkers gets the more direct line to the green.


Approach to #12, which can be bounced on.


Tee shot on the tough par 4 13th.  The picture of the green didn't make it, which is a shame, because it's a wicked green (one of toughest on Tour).


The terrific driveable short 14th.  


Tee shot on par 5 15th.


From the gully (where you shouldn't be  :P ) the approach to
#15 (of which the green is a lot like #4 at Sand Hills).


The approach to the well-bunkered 16th.


From the 'top of the world', the start of the big descent finishing holes, #17.


Out on a ledge, the approach to #17.


From the tippy-tees (663 yards), the famous 18th.


2nd shot on #18 (the wind strangely was dead by now).


Approach to #18


From the green, looking back up the 'ski slope' 18th.


Sunset over 18 green (didn't come out so well).
« Last Edit: January 05, 2006, 03:40:08 PM by Scott_Burroughs »

John Kavanaugh

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2006, 11:09:38 AM »
How do these slopes compare to Morgan Hill...Is this the greatest mountain course ever buiit or does it get the ski slope pass just because of the weather..

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2006, 11:13:39 AM »
Scott

Thanks for posting the pix.  Jeepers, it looks like the course really follows the mantra of wide fairways!

Ciao

Sean
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Evan Fleisher

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2006, 12:11:52 PM »
Dude!  That is a lot of photos!

But thanks for posting...can't wait for my next chance at 'er one of these days when we return to the islands.
Born Rochester, MN. Grew up Miami, FL. Live Cleveland, OH. Handicap 13.2. Have 26 & 23 year old girls and wife of 29 years. I'm a Senior Supply Chain Business Analyst for Vitamix. Diehard walker, but tolerate cart riders! Love to travel, always have my sticks with me. Mollydooker for life!

John Kavanaugh

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2006, 12:14:14 PM »
How much do they charge to play this place and does it include carts..

Andy Doyle

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2006, 01:35:52 PM »
Awesome pictures - thanks.

Going to Hawaii for the first time in September & am hoping to play Kapalua.

I'd be interested in some additonal details about your round there - were you staying at the resort, travel to Kapalua, etc.

Thanks,

Andy

Scott_Burroughs

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2006, 01:39:37 PM »
How much do they charge to play this place and does it include carts..

I think it was around $160 if you're staying at the
resort (as we were).  Something like $230 otherwise.

Carts included and probably 99% ride.  Caddies can be
arranged ahead of time.  My wife drove the cart and I walked
the course I think as the Tour players do, which is all except
the trek from 5 to 6, 8 tee to 8 green, and 9 to 10.

Andy,

It's something like a half hour or more from the airport to
Kapalua, which is the last resort before civilization stops on
the north side of west Maui.  A few miles down the road from
Kapalua is Roy's (restaurant).  Don't miss it.
« Last Edit: January 05, 2006, 01:42:39 PM by Scott_Burroughs »

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2006, 02:02:07 PM »
Scott,

Thanks for these great photos. They really capture the scale
of the course, which is grand indeed.
I love this golf course, which is in the top 10 I've played.
The scale and variety of shotmaking, which includes
a lot of ground game options, are compelling to me.
Not a bad set of greens either. Good question Jaka about ski slope golf,
but it's so well routed to fit the terrain that it works for me. There are only a couple of weak holes
on the course IMO--the 16th is pretty pedestrian
and the bunkers don't really come into play unless
the prevailing winds are much more than normal,
and the 10th doesn't do much for me either.
Agree re #13--that green is really scary due to the combination of slope and grain.

Wish I'd booked a trip over there--
maybe next year... :'(
« Last Edit: January 05, 2006, 02:04:13 PM by Doug Wright »
Twitter: @Deneuchre

Jerry Kluger

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2006, 02:03:46 PM »
Scott: I was there with my family last summer and it was absolutely wonderful.  The only problem is if you live on the east coast the trip is murder.  I thought the course was a lot of fun and 6 and 7 are especially so.  

Kapalua is easy to get to from most places on the island although it is quite a trip from Wailae.  

Other points: There is a cove on the left side of the road just before you get to Kapalua which has fantastic snorkeling in a very safe location if you're going with family.  If you're going to Maui you have to eat at a local spot called DaKitchen.  There is one near the airport which is where we went and they serve local foods in their traditional manner and its cheap for Hawaii.

Jordan Wall

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2006, 03:22:14 PM »
 ;DI LOVE KAPALUA ;D

Great photo's...I cant figure out how to post mine ???

The course is just as good as it looks...I played it August just after the renovation and boy was it tough...It was weird because I started on the back but #9 was a great finishing hole nonetheless...It was the thrill of a lifetime to reach #18 from a long ways out...

Oh, and it is 250$ during primetime (before twilight, which varies with the season) and twilight is 150$, also with a cart...It's well worth any price though ;)...plus range balls are free and not the fake ones like at the bay course with the dimples on the outside :P

 ;D ;D

Pete Stankevich

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2006, 03:33:42 PM »
When I was in Maui and looking to play Kapalua, the pro told me the best time to come out (for a single) was around 6:15am.  They pair you up and you could get around in under 4 hours at that time.  I was staying in Wailea at the Fairmont Kea Lani and it took me only 1 hour to get from the southern part of the island to Kapalua in the northwest corner.  Granted, it was still dark at 5am and there was no traffic, but the drive is not bad from there.

Scott_Burroughs

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2006, 03:38:36 PM »
Here's the layout, from the course's web site:



Oh, and the updated fees for 2006 are $295 for non-guests,
and $185 for resort guests.  Gotta pay for those new greens,
I guess.  They do have a Bandon-like same-day replay rate of
$80, though.

Jason Blasberg

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2006, 06:47:12 PM »
Too bad the views stink.  

Kapalua is one of those special places on earth and the Plantation Course is like double heaven.  I've never been as relaxed in my adult life as I was the 6 days I spent there.

WOW!  

John Foley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2006, 08:48:08 PM »
I'll pile on the "I Love the Plantation Course" bandwagon. Just an out of the world place. I think 18 is one of the greatest holes in the world. Not for strategy, not just for beauty, but for the great way you can chase that second shot forever to get it on the green.

Scott - were the greens redone when you played?

Also I don't remember the bunker behind & to the right of 18. Is that new?

Jason - sitting by the pool at the Ritz there is probably my all time favorite place. Just soooo relaxing and soooo beautiful.
Integrity in the moment of choice

Pete Lavallee

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2006, 09:59:11 PM »
Scott,

That was a great photo tour; I can certainly see why
 everybody loves TPC so much. As an avid walker,
can you give us a feel for what it's like to be one of the 1% that do walk there.
Nominate a course that is just a little tougher to walk and one that is just a little easier.

Thanks
« Last Edit: January 05, 2006, 10:00:15 PM by Pete Lavallee »
"...one inoculated with the virus must swing a golf-club or perish."  Robert Hunter

Scott_Burroughs

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #15 on: January 06, 2006, 09:49:10 AM »
Scott - were the greens redone when you played?

Not yet.  They were closing a few months after I was there.

Quote
Also I don't remember the bunker behind & to the right of 18. Is that new?

Which bunker behind & to the right are you seeing?  I'm not seeing any:





Scott,

 As an avid walker, can you give us a feel for what it's like to be one of the 1% that do walk there.

It's so beautiful, you don't really notice the uphill treks.  So
many courses that I've played have several uphill climbs
(such as my home course), that it doesn't bother me.  
Remember, I wasn't carrying my bag here, either.

Quote
Nominate a course that is just a little tougher to walk and one that is just a little easier.

Thanks for keeping me up last night thinking about this as I tried to go to sleep. ;)

It's hard to rank the toughest walks, so I'll just list some of the tougher ones I remember:

Stonehouse and Royal New Kent (VA) are in a league by
themselves because the walks between the holes are so long,
and the courses themselves have a lot of interior elevation.

Others:

Quail Hollow (ID)
Pasatiempo
Shady Canyon (CA)
Augustine (VA)
Deerfield (DE) (fka Louviers course at Dupont CC)
Inniscrone and French Creek (PA)
Hartefeld National (PA)
Yale

I seem to remember some hilly courses from growing up, such
as Pinnacle State Park and Shepherd Hills (NY).  Watkins Glen
and Elmira CC (first 11 holes), too.  Towanda (PA).

My home course has it's share of hills (mostly 1, 9 and back nine).

For some reason, Tobacco Road isn't that bad of a walk to
me.  Tot Hill Farm just might be a tougher walk.

Tom Huckaby

Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2006, 11:22:15 AM »
If ever there was a thread that more clearly shows how completely full of shit Mucci is saying views don't matter, I'd love to see it.

So thanks, Scott.  My point is clearly proven - not that it really needed any proving.

God I hope Mucci sees this, or watches the event this week.. the tap-dancing will be worthy of Bojangles.

BTW Scott, answer Pete's question WITHOUT the cart rides you took.   ;)

Hell, any course is a decent walk if you get a ride through the toughest parts.

TH

PThomas

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Photos of Kapalua - Plantation Course
« Reply #17 on: January 06, 2006, 12:58:58 PM »
Nice pics Scott....maybe too nice for this time of year, if you get my drift

HUCK:  "tap dancing will be worthy of Bojangles" - got an audible yuck out of me!
199 played, only Augusta National left to play!