6 Top Must-Play Golf Courses in Kauai | Koloa Landing Resort
Top Must-Play Golf Courses in Kauai
You’ve teed off at plenty of golf courses around the globe, and now it’s time to try your hand at some of the best courses in Kauai. From gorgeous fairways perched atop an oceanside cliff to lush rolling expanses of green, the beauty of Kauai golf courses is enough reason to try your hand at a round.
Princeville Makai Golf Club
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., in 1971 and renovated in 2010, the Princeville Makai golf club features five clifftop holes, white silica sand imported from Vietnam, and seashore paspalum grass covering the courses. The main loop on the Makai course is a classic 18-hole, 7,233-yard par 72 courses with spectacular cliffside views from holes 7, 13, and 18, along with a challenging par 3 third hole that puts you 100 feet above the green. Named one of the top 100 public golf courses in America by Golf Digest, this golf club offers a three-day pass option for golfers who want to experience the course over and over again. A large practice facility with seven target greens and Callaway Golf club rentals accommodates all skill levels. You can book tee times online for Makai golf club.
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Poipu Bay Golf Course, a popular course set atop a rolling plateau on Kauai’s sunny south shore, hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for 12 years. Top-tier golfers such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have played the course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., this course features a final three-hole course along a 100-foot cliff for dramatic views that encapsulate the whole Kauai golf experience. The golf carts at this dramatic course feature built-in satellite navigation, so you can track the precise location of holes and pins while you play. The remains of an ancient Hawaiian village are scattered throughout Poipu Bay, and lush mountains provide a photo-worthy backdrop to your golf adventure. Book your tee time or arrange a private lesson at Poipu Bay golf course and enjoy one of the best golf experiences on the island.
The Ocean Course at Hokuala
Jack Nicklaus designed this challenging 18-hole golf course perched atop volcanic cliffs, formerly known as Kauai Lagoons. The course features holes that sit above an ocean inlet, overlook the Kalapaki Bay lighthouse, and stretch along the ocean coastline. As you play, you’ll travel through mango groves and tee off from dramatic cliffs, making it instantly obvious why the course was named one of the top 12 most beautiful courses in the world by MSN Travel. The sweeping ocean views and challenging conditions make The Ocean Course at Hokuala one of the best golf courses in Hawaii. A professional teaching center with certified PGA instructors makes this a great course for beginners wanting to learn how to play golf on Kauai. Book a lesson or tee time online or use the official course app to schedule your round at this Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
Puakea Golf Course
Puakea Golf Course’s 6,954-yard 18-hole course sports multiple par 3 holes and incredible contrasts ranging from lush jungle to cliffside drop-offs and deep ravines. Built on the site of a former sugar cane plantation, this golf course also features a putting green, a driving range with six target greens, and a short-game practice area with various slope elevations. Each hole on the main course is designed to provide a completely different playing experience, so you get plenty of variety as you make your way through the course. Elevation changes throughout the course add to the fun, and local favorite Puakea Golf Course is located in Lihue for easy access to all its island golfing charms. The original architect, Robin Nelson, returned to complete the course in 2003 after a hurricane halted construction during the initial build in 1997. Tee times for Puakea Golf Course can be booked online.
Wailua Golf Course
The Wailua Golf Course was voted one of the top 15 golf courses in Hawaii by Golf Digest, and the public course features 18 holes designed in two separate phases by Toyo Shirai. The easily walkable course provides a challenge for the experienced golfer while offering casual players opportunities to affordably practice their game. Morning and afternoon twilight play sessions on nine holes each are also available at Wailua Golf Course. Golf club rental is available in the onsite golf shop, and the affordable rates make Wailua a fun option for casual golfers. Call 808-241-6666 to book your tee time at Wailua Municipal Golf Course.
Kukuiolono Golf Course
For a shorter play experience that lets you get in a few holes before heading out to other Kauai adventures, schedule a tee time at the nine-hole Kukuiolono Golf Course. Located in Kukuiolono Park in the town of Kalaheo, this course is a hidden gem among Kauai courses. Paved and wooded paths along with a Japanese garden and miniature golf course in the park provide plenty of options for non-golfers at your party. Inexpensive greens fees and stunning views make this golf course a local favorite among Kauai residents.
Whether you’re interested in the challenge of playing on a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., designed course or want to combine a love of gorgeous island scenery with your love of golf, Kauai golf courses offer plenty of opportunities to tee up. The biggest challenge for golfers in Kauai, Hawaii, might be paying attention to their golf game instead of admiring the dramatic views.
Start planning your Kauai golf experience by booking a private villa at Koloa Landing Resort to serve as your home base. Our concierge can help you choose between courses or arrange transportation to the Kauai golf courses on your must-play list.