Maui Hawaii golf vacation packages at Wailea should include its Gold and Emerald (pictured) courses, not the Blue.
Here’s the latest example of why you need an unbiased golf vacation advisor in your corner.
The other day, I received a press release touting, “the ultimate golf vacation experience” for Maui, Hawaii golf vacations.
It described a “world class” Hawaii golf package at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa that included golf on the “legendary” Wailea Blue Golf Course, the “grand lady of Wailea golf courses.” The price seemed pretty attractive, too.
Now, I recalled reading a review of Maui, Hawaii golf vacations in a recent issue of Golf Odyssey, so I logged into the members-only library and brought up the story.
I’m glad I did, because Golf Odyssey had quite a different perspective on the Wailea Blue Golf Course.
Specifically, the editors found the course neither well-designed nor scenic, saying it was, “on par with a well-maintained muni.”
The editors were struck more by the many condominiums littering the golf course than the, “amazing ocean and island views” mentioned in the over-exuberant media release.
In fact, at its then prime-season rate of $155 per round for Wailea Resort guests (now $160), Golf Odyssey’s editors felt Old Blue may well be, “one of the most overpriced golf courses in the entire United States.”
Maybe that’s what the press release meant by “legendary.”
My larger point is, many newspapers, magazines, and websites lazily “rip and run” this press-release puffery, force you to read between the lines of their faint praise, or avoid touchy topics like this altogether.
Golf Odyssey, on the other hand, provides the straight story, good or bad, so you can make smart decisions about where to spend your time and money.
(By the way, if you’re interesting in taking a Maui, Hawaii golf vacation, Golf Odyssey was quite enthusiastic about the other two courses at Wailea, the Gold and Emerald. I also found insightful reviews on other top places to stay and play on Maui, including Kapalua, Kaanapali, and Makena, which gave me a global perspective about taking Maui, Hawaii golf vacations.)
Have you ever been a victim of an over-hyped golf course or resort? Please share your story below.
Did you know? Golf Vacation Insider and Golf Odyssey are the world’s only golf publications that conduct “secret shopper” site inspections and do not accept advertising from golf courses, resorts or restaurants in order to provide you with expert, unbiased, and trusted advice.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
sure you’re going to back your own publication.you’re trying to sell your service.just because you didn’t like the course doesn’t mean somebody may.they too are trying to sell a service or product.you may think a course i choose is a dump,but then again i’m not trying to coax $75-$100 out of anybody like you
The editors of Golf Odyssey might have loved this course at $75. But at $160? No way. Your logic is flawed, too. Golf Odyssey has been published monthly for 19 years while being totally subscriber supported (that means without accepting advertising). Kinda hard to do unless readers feel the reviews are spot on.
I’ve played all of the Wailea Courses. The Gold is a great layout for better players – it’s a long course and you’d better be ready to get off the tee. I like the layout a lot. The Emerald is a golf in a tropical garden gem, that will have you reaching for your camera more than your driver. The last time I played there we played down to the first green with whales jumping just offshore. The blue is a basic course running through condos. It’s fine if you want to get out and play a few holes in the afternoon but it can’t be compared to the other two and it would be a shame to base your golf vacation around the blue.
Very well summarized, Alan. Thanks!