Kai Course at Ka'anapali Golf Resort boasts great west Maui scenery overlooking the island of Lanai
The Ka'anapali Kai golf course is one of two championship layouts at the Ka'anapali Golf Resort on the west side of Maui. The next door Royal Ka'anapali Course is a longer championship design by Robert Trent Jones Sr. While the Kai Course plays a bit shorter, it has the same great west Maui scenery overlooking the island of Lanai.
The Kai Course, designed by Arthur Jack Snyder, opened in 1962 and received a major renovation in 2005. The course, which plays 6,388 yards from the farthest set of five tee boxes, plays narrow in many spots, putting a premium on accuracy. One of the five sets of tees is a special "Keiki" tee box designed for juniors and beginning players.
While designed to be a resort play aimed at all levels, the course is kept in the same standard of condition as Royal Ka'anapali.
Some landmarks on the course include the Sugar Cane Train, which is a tourist attraction that takes guests on a tour of the old sugar cane fields of west Maui while also waving to golfers as they pass by on several holes. Also, the island of Lanai is in view from most spots on the course. And you'll want to take note of it on the greens, as putts usually break toward the setting sun, which does so behind the island.
![At 6,388 yards, Ka'anapali Kai plays shorter than next door Royal Ka'anapali.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35511.jpg)
![The third hole at Ka'anapali Kai is a long par 3.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35512.jpg)
![The Sugar Cane Train runs along several holes at Ka'anapali Kai.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35513.jpg)
![Ka'anapali Kai has a special set of "Keiki" tees, designed for junior and beginner golfers.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35514.jpg)
![The par-3 sixth hole on the Ka'anapali Kai golf course plays up to 193 yards.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35515.jpg)
![The par-4 ninth hole at Ka'anapali Kai plays downhill toward the ocean.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35516.jpg)
![The 15th hole at Ka'anapali Kai is a 360-yard par 4.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35517.jpg)
![The 16th hole at Ka'anapali Kai is a 402-yard par 4.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35518.jpg)
![The 18th hole at Ka'anapali Kai is a tricky, dogleg left par 4.](/photo-galleries/images/small/35519.jpg)