By Jeffrey A. Rendall, Photos of Kaanapali Golf Courses by Jeffrey A. Rendall
To golf in Hawaii, or not golf in Hawaii; that is the question
Having been to Maui a number of times over the past couple decades, I’ve/we’ve been fortunate to have played many/most of the golf facilities available to public players on the island, including the famous ones at Kapalua and Kaanapali on the west side of the island and Wailea on the south side of mid-island.
Simply put, golf in Hawaii is wonderful and fun. The courses are interesting, the service is first-rate and the conditions are up-to-par with expectations.
But it’s expensive. It wasn’t all that long ago that discount bookings could be obtained without too much effort, but post-COVID, as was true for many/most other places, Hawaii golf has enjoyed a renaissance that wasn’t foreseeable before the government locked everyone inside their homes. Hawaii was among the worst in this respect. The nightmare stories from people who visited Hawaii during that lockdown period are still being told.
Not all aspects of the tourist economy have recovered in the interim period, but golf seems to have blossomed. Once again. It’s still very possible to get a tee time, and the courses appear anxious to encourage visitors, but the cost of the excursion is such that people might think twice about doing it in the first place. Is it worth it?
Consider: Airline Bag fees. Should you bring your clubs? A good travel bag is useful for most people, but it won’t be easy to procure for under a couple hundred bucks. Then you’ll need to pack it when the departure time arrives to make sure it’s less than 50 pounds, or the airlines are itching to slap you with additional pecuniary punishments for too much excess poundage.
And you thought the scale at home was unattractive to you.
Rental car storage space. A golf travel bag takes up a LOT of room, which means less space for everything else. If you’re a golf addict, it’s worth the give-and-take, but for everyone else in the party? Getting to hotel check-in can be a minor ordeal.
Rental club fees. No regular golfer craves playing without their “usual” golf clubs specifically fit for their size and swing and ability. Add rental fees to the 
tally and doing so is even less desirable. Rental fees are approximately $80 per person, per round. Add this to the greens/cart fees and playing golf in Hawaii (like everything else there) ain’t cheap.
Note: Airlines charge $40 to haul a bag… if it’s under 50 lbs. So if you’ve got a decent travel bag, it actually makes economic sense to bring your clubs rather than rent them, subject to the other considerations listed here.
Time away from the group. This won’t come with a price tag, but every moment at the golf course is one less spent with the group. It’s a non-monetary cost, but very real. Discuss it with your non-golfers before heading to Hawaii, because it’s not nothing.
Golf in Hawaii is terrific. We’ve loved the Kaanapali golf courses for many trips and the last time playing was arguably better than the first time there. But more than just grass and tees and water and sand is involved. And, of course, your score! Bring your math skills to the islands… but who really cares what the final number says?
The sheer cost of golf in Hawaii must be factored into your itinerary deliberations. A round of golf for three or four costs about the same as a whale watching outing for a half dozen people; or a meal at a scrumptious beachside restaurant. Needless to say, a sight-seeing trip comes less dear and the memories will last… you answer the question.
Costco membership is essential for spending less (and saving time) in Hawaii
For those of us who enjoy partaking in the non-stop game of trying to get the most out of life on a minimalist budget, Costco is a go-to place to shop. Starting with a trip to the Costco gas station, you’ll save measurable dollars when filling up your tank. Then leaving the store, picking up a pizza or two or three will feed the troops and leave leftovers for fill-in times when the rest of your food runs out.
Assuming your living accommodations have a refrigerator, it’s always good to plan a visit to Costco based on what you plan to eat. The only drawback of Costco shopping are the quantities, — you’re not going to want to leave a ton of food leftover when it’s time to leave the islands.
We planned a simple burger night, a baby back ribs night and an evening for seafood/shrimp. We also built-in a basic spaghetti night to our weekly itinerary, where we took advantage of our resort’s kitchen facilities (so did a healthy sample of other people based on participation levels). Cleanup is something to plan around but the budget savings are amazing. We did eat out one meal, and the cost for that meal probably exceeded the rest of the week’s food budget combined, or at least came close.
Are we just cheap? I don’t think so. Some Hawaii visitors like eating at restaurants every meal, but you must head into such a vacation with eyes open. I chatted with other visitors at the grills a few of the nights and found they had similar thinking. Our resort (Maui Ocean Club) included barbecue accoutrements in our room’s kitchen utensils, which helped a ton. Additional supplies were procured from Safeway in Lahaina.
Who wants to work and cleanup on vacation? Ask yourself the same question. Then plan accordingly. Touring and sightseeing excursions can be planned around shopping at Costco. Do so, and you won’t regret it!
Going to Maui (Hawaii)? Part I — Tips – Who and what to bring and why bigger is better
https://www.golfintheusa.com/going-to-maui-hawaii-part-i-tips-who-and-what-to-bring-and-why-bigger-is-better/
Going to Maui (Hawaii)? Tips, Part II – Saving money in Hawaii, and Lahaina offers sadness… and hope
https://www.golfintheusa.com/going-to-maui-hawaii-tips-part-ii-saving-money-in-hawaii-and-lahaina-offers-sadness-and-hope/
Going to Maui? Part III – Touring the ocean depths from the comfort of an air-conditioned building
https://www.golfintheusa.com/going-to-maui-part-iii-touring-the-ocean-depths-from-the-comfort-of-an-air-conditioned-building/