Pros and resort guests agree: Royal Ka'anapali is among Maui's best golf courses

LAHAINA, Maui, Hawaii -- Opened in 1962, Royal Ka'anapali was one of the first developments on 1,200-acre Ka'anapali in Lahaina. Today, there is a second 18-hole course, Ka'anapali Kai, as well as numerous resorts and condominiums.

Royal Ka'anapali has hosted numerous televised events including the Wendy's Champions Skins Game (from 2008-2011), the "Big Break Ka'anapali" series on the Golf Channel, and the LPGA Kemper Cup.

Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed Royal Ka'anapali, which is a championship course playing up to 6,700 yards from the back tees. The course overlooks the ocean at most points and even plays right down toward the coastline on the long, par-4 fifth hole that finishes at a green right near the beach. No. 10 is another standout -- nicknamed "Lanai" -- as it plays straight downhill toward the nearby Hawaiian island. Locals note that all putts break toward the island, so thankfully it's almost always in view from the greens.

Also on site at the golf club is a clubhouse with an open-air restaurant, plus a pro shop, chipping and putting greens and a driving range.

Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 5

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's fifth hole is a long, downhill par 4.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 3

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's third hole is a 421-yard par 4.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - 5th green

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's fifth green plays alongside the beach.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course on Maui

Royal Ka'anapali golf course is located near Lahaina on Maui's west coast.

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Royal Ka'anapali GC - hole 4

The fourth hole at Royal Ka'anapali GC is an uphill par 4.

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Royal Ka'anapali on Maui - Lanai

A locals tip: All putts break toward the island of Lanai at Royal Ka'anapali golf course.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 10

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's 10th hole is a 454-yard par 4.

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Royal Ka'anapali on Maui - Jones

Royal Ka'anapali golf course on Maui was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 11

The 11th hole is a straightaway par 4 at Royal Ka'anapali.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 16

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's 16th hole is a downhill par 4 that plays 437 yards.

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Royal Ka'anapali golf course - hole 17

Royal Ka'anapali golf course's 17th hole is a short par 4 played over water.

Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf