Here at Kapalua Golf, I’ll tell you the most common thing first-timers say after their round: “I wasn’t ready for all those lies!”
And you know what? That’s totally fair. The only truly flat lies you’ll find at The Plantation Course are on the tee boxes. Everything else moves. But here’s what I can promise you: once you understand how to handle these lies, you’ll score better and actually enjoy navigating the terrain instead of fighting it the whole way around.
Let me walk you through three holes that teach you everything you need to know about playing on this kind of ground.
Hole 5: Reading the Fairway Slope
The 5th is a reachable par 5 with a fairway that banks toward the right side. You’ll often be dealing with crosswinds here, too, adding another element to consider. Here’s the main thing to remember: tilt your shoulders with the slope instead of trying to stand perfectly upright. When you fight the terrain, you’re making it harder on yourself.
Since the fairway banks right, here’s what that means for your stance. If you’re a righty, the ball sits below your feet. Lean forward, widen your stance for better balance, and aim left of your target. That ball is going to want to fade right with the slope. If you’re a lefty, the ball sits above your feet. Stand a bit taller since the slope brings the ball closer to you, and aim left because the ball will naturally draw.
The key is making a smooth, balanced swing while trusting your setup. The slope is going to move your ball, so plan for it instead of trying to fight physics. This hole teaches you the most important lesson at Kapalua: work with the terrain, not against it.
Hole 15: The Approach Shot
This one marches uphill, and you’re typically playing with a crosswind. It’s a test of club selection and commitment.
The fairway has some tilt to it that bounces balls right, so accuracy off the tee helps here. But the real adjustments come with your approach. Play the ball forward in your stance to help you catch it clean on the upslope instead of chunking it into the hill.
Here’s the part people underestimate: you need 1-2 full clubs more than the distance suggests. If it’s 140 yards on flat ground with an 8-iron, you’re hitting a 6 or 7-iron here. The uphill robs the distance and launches it higher, which means almost no roll when it lands. Plus, that wind is usually in your face.
The green sits on a knoll that shrugs balls away if you come up short, so commit to those extra clubs. Make a balanced swing through the slope and trust the math. Fighting it with a harder swing just leads to inconsistent contact and frustration. This hole rewards smart club selection over trying to muscle it.
Hole 18: The Downhill Finish with a Twist
You’ve probably seen this hole on TV during The Sentry. Standing in the fairway looking downhill toward that ocean view is special, but there’s more going on here than just elevation change.
Yes, it’s dramatically downhill, and you’re usually playing downwind, which means your ball is going to travel. But what catches people off guard is how the fairway slopes from right to left, especially as you get closer to the green. That landing area near the putting surface will push your ball hard left if you’re not ready for it.
Here’s how to play it: Widen your stance and choke up about an inch for better control on the downslope. The downhill wants to send your shot lower and fade it right, while that side slope wants to pull it left. Start by aiming at your target or slightly right. Those two forces often balance out more than you’d expect, but as you get closer to the green, respect that left push.
Remember, you’re going downhill with the wind often behind you. Keep your weight on your heels through the swing to stay balanced, and make a smooth pass at it. This isn’t the spot for a hero swing. The key is trusting your setup and letting the terrain work with you on one of golf’s most iconic finishing holes.
What to Expect on Your First Round
Look, your first few holes at The Plantation Course might feel rough. You’re learning how the terrain moves, and that takes time. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Most players start figuring it out around hole 6 or 7 once they’ve seen a few of these lies and made the adjustments.
The golfers who have the best time here show up expecting a challenge and give themselves permission to learn as they go. That’s really all you need. The course rewards smart strategy and good adjustments more than perfect execution.
Just relax and have fun!
-Kapalua Golf Team
