It's That Time Of Year...Again!

Ladies and gents, it is that time of year when the golf courses start aerating their greens so that golfers like us can have nice smooth surfaces to putt on. Some courses here on Maui do things a little different than what some of you are used to. For instance, The Dunes at Maui Lani will punch all 18 greens but will only punch 1/2 of each surface. Also, some courses will not allow play during aeration while some will. Just keep in mind that aeration is a MUST and not every course will do it at the same time. But, I must say, these courses are still magnificent even with sandy greens. So don't worry about aerated greens, they are not that bad!

The Dunes at Maui Lani 4/9 and 5/21

Elleair ???

Kaanapali Royal 5/18 thru 5/24

Kaanapali Kai 4/28 thru 5/3

Kahili ???

Kapalua Bay 3/31 thru 4/2 then 6/2 thru 6/4 then again 7/29 thru 7/30

Kapalua Plantation 6/30 thru 7/3 and 9/1 thru 9/4

Makena 4/22 and 4/23...CLOSED NO PLAY and 9/23

Pukalani 4/19 thru 4/20

Wailea Blue 6/3 thru 6/4

Wailea Emerald ???

Wailea Gold 5/5 thru 5/6

The Challenge 4/7 thru 4/8

The Experience ???

As you can see, there will be plenty of golf to be played on non-aerated greens. Just keep in mind that you can still play on punched greens and have fun, I mean, isn't that why you are on Maui anyway....to have fun?

Speaking of "fun", Maui Golf Shop is still offering the best golf package around with a full day of golf over on Lanai. That's right, 36 holes, 2 magnificent courses and lots of great golfing memories. Don't pass this up!!! Call 800-981-5512 or read the previous blog for pricing information.

ALOHA!!!

Golf Lanai

Who out there knows that we here at Maui Golf Shop also book golf on the island of Lanai? Well, we do. There are two courses on Lanai: The Challenge at Manele and The Experience at Koele.

A typical golf outing on Lanai begins with a 6:45am ferry ride to Manele Bay. The ferry ride lasts approx. 45 min and, if your timing is right, you may see some whales. Upon arriving on Lanai you will meet a bus driver who will shuttle you and your party up to Koele. The shuttle service will make an intermediate stop so you can pay for your shuttle service. The cost for all day shuttle service is $10. Upon arriving at Koele, you will check-in with the pro shop (obviously...) and then tee it up. After finishing 18 holes at Koele, you will be shuttled down to The Challenge at Manele. You will need to check-in with the pro shop...again...and then head to the first tee. After finishing 18 holes at Manele, your shuttle will be waiting to take you down to Manele Bay so you can catch the 6:45pm ferry back to Lahaina Harbor.

Since Lanai is not heavily populated, either course is seldom crowded and players can usually bask in the views that both courses offer without feeling rushed.

This is the best golf package around!

The cost to play both courses is $309 and that includes round trip ferry tickets!
Lanai ground transportation will cost $10 once you arrive on Lanai.
The price listed is for ONE golfer.

We also can book only 18 holes of golf at either course if that's more your speed.

The cost to play either course is $259 and that includes round trip ferry tickets!
Lanai ground transportation will cost $10 once you arrive on Lanai.
The price listed is for ONE golfer.

Does the wife or significant other want to go to Lanai, but not play? No problem there either. We got you covered as we also sell round trip ferry tickets for $60 per person!

Do not pass up this extraordinary deal!

LPGA Cont

WOW....it has been over a month since I last updated this blog. And, I am sure everyone is wondering how the LPGA caddy gig went.

I can honestly say that I had a blast caddying! The player that I was paired with was easy going and fun to be around. That made carrying a staff bag a little easier on the feet, back, shoulders, hips and brain. We got a practice round in on the Tuesday before the event and it was the first time I had ever walked the Kapalua Bay Course. Life was easy as my boss just wanted me to clean clubs after every shot and clean the ball once she marked it on the green. She did all the yardage measurements.

The first round of the event went so-so. After 18 holes she was a little behind the 8 ball. Besides, it was only round 1. The second round was looking to be a little more promising. Her driver, which she said has been keeping her out of the money this year, straightened out with a little tip from me. After 9 holes she was 1 under for the day and 6 over for the event. Then the back nine hit.

We ended up missing the cut. But, I was glad that I got to be a part of this tournament. My player and I still keep in contact. At last word she was qualifying for the Futures Tour; where she won the previous year.

Caddying was a big eye opener for me. I watched these ladies "Think" there way around the golf course, rather than try to overpower it. These ladies knew what shots they felt comfortable with and they used them to their advantage. They NEVER tried a shot that they didn't know! These ladies know and do one thing. CONSISTENCY! Each one had a "Go to shot" that they played extremely well. One lady in our group never used a tee when she teed off with her driver. She made a little divot with her sand wedge and then hit the ball off the top of the divot. My gal's "Go to shot" was the knock down.

Before closing this blog, I do have one thing to say; go watch an LPGA event or watch one on TV. Male golfers can learn a lot from watching these ladies play. Like the ad says "These girls rock!"

Correct Golf Course Pronunciation

If you haven't been to Maui before, chances are you will have a hard time pronouncing all the words that are going to be tossed your way as soon as your feet hit Maui. Don't worry as this happens to everyone. But, you can get a good grasp of Hawaiian pronunciations by correctly saying each golf course name.

Makena- Muh-ken-uh...not mack-een-uh...not muh-keen-uh
Wailea- Y-lay-uh...not Y-lee-uh...not Y-may-uh (Waimea is actually on the Island of Oahu)
Elleair- L-E-air
Kahili- Ka-he-lee...not Kuh-hill-ee...not Kuh-lee-hee
Pukalani- Poo-kuh-lah-nee...not Puck-uh-laney
Ka'anapali- Ka-ahna-pah-lee...not Can-nippley (Yes, we have heard that one)
Kapalua- Kah-pah-lew-uh...not Cap-uh-lew-uh

So, those are the golf course names. How about some city names.

Kahului- Kah-who-lewey...not Kah-ha-lewey
Kihei- Key-hay...not Key-high
Lahaina- Luh-high-nuh...not Luh-hay-nuh...not Luh-hee-nuh
Hana- Ha-na...not Han-uh
Waiehu- Y-eh-who
Napili- Na-pee-lee...not Na-pill-ee

No worries if you can't pronounce it, we hear all types of mispronunciations day in and day out and eventually we get the gist of what you want and will be willing to help you out.

Now, try this one on for size...Humuhumunukunuku apua'a.
(hint) Its the state fish.

Wailea Emerald

Ahhhh, the beautiful Wailea Emerald course. Yours truly got another chance to play this fantastic course this past Sunday. I was a little skeptical about playing out there as they have just aerated. Boy, was I wrong!

The greens were in very good condition and the ball rolled very well. Although a little slow, there was no change in direction due to those nasty-bumpy aeration holes.

The Wailea Emerald course is a fun course for both professionals and high handicap amateurs alike. Compared to Wailea Gold, the Emerald is a little shorter in length and plays just a little bit easier.

Although a little easier than its sister course, the Emerald is still no slouch. A tough par 3 awaits you on the 3rd hole. But, a driveable par 4 makes up for it on the 4th hole. And once you think you just might be playing okay, along comes the killer 5th and 6th holes.

But don't worry, the rest of the course is not as hard as those holes.

Once again, the Wailea Emerald offers a little something for every golfer. In this professionals opinion, it is a definite must play while on Maui!