Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 11
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 11
The 11th on the Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui sits above a surfing cove. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 1
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 1
From the first hole, you get the sense of the Plantation Course's awesome views and slopes. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 2
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 2
The green on the par-3 second hole on Kapalua's Plantation Course seems innocent enough, but there's way more slope toward Molokai than first meets the eye. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 5
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 5
The severely sloping par-5 fifth hole on Kapalua's Plantation Course is only around 500 yards but plays much tougher because of the slope of the fairways, a deep ravine and the wind. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 6
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 6
The 398-yard, par-4 sixth hole on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort plays severely downhill. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 8
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 8
The par-3 eighth on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort plays more than 200 yards from the tips. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 9
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 9
The par-5 ninth on the Plantation Course at Kapalua has a downhill tee shot and an extreme uphill approach. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 10
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 10
No. 10 on the Plantation golf course at Kapalua is a relatively short par 4. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 12
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 12
You have a great view from the tee shot on the 420-yard, par-4 12th on the Plantation Course at Kapulua Resort on Maui. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 13
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 13
The green on the par-4 13th on Kapalua's Plantation Course has a false front. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 14
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 14
The par-4 14th has one of the smallest greens on Kapalua's Plantation Course on Maui. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 15
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 15
The par-5 15th on the Plantation Course at Kapalua turns hard right and back up the hill. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 17
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 17
The par-4 17th on the Plantation Course at Kapalua plays much shorter than it's 500-yard billing, because it's so downhill. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 18
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Plantation golf course at Kapalua - no. 18
Everything moves down and left on the 663-yard, par-5 finishing hole on the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort on Maui. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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Closer look: Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort on Maui, Hawaii can't be overstated

LAHAINA, Maui, Hawaii -- The par-73, 7,411-yard Plantation Course, the jewel of Kapalua located on Maui's northwest shore, is one big golf course.

Big slopes, big holes and really big views make the Plantation one of the most visually stunning golf courses in the world. The change of elevation is akin to some of the biggest mountain courses in the world, with spectacular Pacific Ocean views throughout the course.

Sloping fairways and greens also make this Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore design one of the most interesting courses on the planet. The grand scale of the course unfolds across natural geographic formations and pineapple plantation fields creating angles, bounces and rolls seen on few other courses.

The course record, by the way, is 62 set by K.J. Choi at the 2003 Mercedes-Benz Championship and Graeme McDowell at the 2011 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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Closer look: Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort on Maui, Hawaii can't be overstated