Wailea’s Emerald, Gold a Fun Golfing Combination

With their first tee boxes sitting almost side by side overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, and the occasional breaching humpback whale, it’s tough to find a better pair of golfing sisters than the Emerald and Gold Courses in Wailea on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

But even though these beauties may be sisters they are anything but twins.  The Gold is the bigger, tougher sibling while the Emerald is the pretty, somewhat smaller one but when all is said and done, each gives players exactly what they’re looking for in tropical island golf.

The opening hole on the Emerald Course at Wailea is undoubtedly the most scenic one on the island of Maui.

There are palm trees everywhere and phenomenal views of the Pacific from almost every hole on both courses but you’re here to challenge the courses, not admire the scenery.  And challenges you’ll get, especially when you tee it up on the Gold, a former home to the Seniors Tour Skins Game.

Stretching out to 7,078 yards from its tips, the Gold offers fairways that while relatively wide, are often splashed with outcroppings of black lava rock making aim an important part of everyone’s game.  While the Emerald isn’t quite as long, or perhaps as difficult, it is also a good test of your game with its elevations changes and strategically placed bunkers.

“The Gold Course is the more challenging of the two courses,” explained the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Wailea Golf Clubs, Jennifer McNally.  “With four sets of tees you can really stretch it out.

“The Emerald Course is a little more forgiving but from the back tees it can be quite a challenge as well,” as it tips out at 6,825 yards.  “It is one of the favorite courses for couples to play.  It really appeals to both the avid golfer as well as the weekend golfer.”

One of the best closing holes on the island, the par 5 18th at the Emerald Course offers wide fairways and a large green that is well protected with bunkers.

Both tracks have been honored with high praise from golf course ranking polls from major magazines and both live up to their advance billing.  As well, the Emerald has been rated as one of the Top 50 in North America for women while the Gold Course has been proclaimed as one of the Top 100 courses in the U.S.

Another nice thing about these golfing sisters is that they haven’t let the world of commercial housing development overshadow their looks.

“Both of the golf courses are Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designs and they provide a pure golf experience without any development on either course,” explained McNally.

In looking at the Emerald a bit closer, McNally said it’s appealing to women for a number of reasons.

“From the tees there aren’t many forced carries so there isn’t a lot of the intimidation factor there,” she explained.  “The beauty factor plays a role and also the green complexes are pretty receptive; they don’t require you to always get the ball up in the air and to hit small targets.  Women can kind of bounce the ball up, play more bump-and-run shots.  That, combined with the pure beauty of the course is really appealing to female golfers.”

Not to overlook the other member of this golf duo, McNally noted the Gold Course stands on its looks and playability as well.

One of the par 3s on the Gold Course shows that a hole doesn’t have to be long to be tough.

“There are a few more doglegs so club selection is critical, even from the tee on some of the shorter par 4s.  The greens are more protected with the bunkering and facing.  It’s kind of the opposite of the Emerald Course.  You’re going to have more shots into the greens where you do have to pick your target, get your ball in the air, and have an accurate yardage to score well,” McNally said in summation.

The Gold also presents challenges in playing from several elevated tees down into the fairways and then having to hit back up into elevated greens.  “There’s a lot of risk and reward out there,” McNally said.  “And, I should add that women really enjoy the Gold Course as well.”

A great thing about the Wailea sisters is the warm-up area for players, which is included in the price of a day’s adventure.  The hitting stalls are natural grass with several targets to shoot at along with a large short game area, a bunker for sand work and a huge putting green.

“That facility is open seven days a week to the public and you can come up and just purchase range balls if you want to work on your game,” and if you didn’t bring your own sticks on your holiday, the club does have some you can use to practice with.

So regardless of whether you’re a low handicapper or a weekend warrior who wanders out onto the links only a few times a year, these are two courses that shouldn’t be missed when you’re in Maui, because even if you’re game is off a bit the views are some of the best on the island and will certainly soothe your soul.

The final hole on the Gold Course, that sits adjacent to the 19th hole, is one that will leave you wanting to come back for more given its beauty.

To that end, McNally only had one comment:

“We want people to take their time here.  Arrive in plenty of time, look around, make a day of it.  We have locker rooms available and a great 19th Hole where you can go afterwards, enjoy the view and remember the great day you had,” no matter which of the two sisters you choose to interact with.

For more on the courses, which are owned by Golf BC, go to their website at waileagolf.com.