Best Golf Course Kauai: Discover 8 Dream Courses
Ocean views, lush greenery, and rough cliffs. The island is home to various exceptional golf courses catering to different preferences and skill levels.
Whether you’re seeking a luxurious resort experience or a challenging course with cliffside greens, Kauai has something for you.
One of the most outstanding features of golfing in Kauai is the diverse landscapes that each course offers. Golfers can enjoy teeing off next to the ocean, maneuvering through dense jungle, or hitting from rugged cliff-top greens.
In this article, we will provide you with a quick guide on the top Kauai golf courses and what makes them stand out.
8 Best Golf Courses in Kauai
Playing golf in Kauai is nothing less than a heavenly experience. Here are the 9 must-play golf courses in Kauai:
1. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
While there are a number of golf courses, my top pick for the best golf course in Kauai would be The Ocean Course at Hokuala. It is a world-renowned 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus that has won multiple awards and offers stunning ocean and coastal views. It is one of the longest-stretching oceanfront courses in Hawaii.
In addition, there is a professional Teaching Center where golfers can learn lessons from certified PGA instructors.
The course has been recognized as one of the most beautiful courses in the world, and it has won numerous awards, including “North America’s Best Golf Course” and “Hawaii’s Best Golf Course.”
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this course will offer a challenging yet enjoyable experience with stunning ocean and coastal views that will leave a lasting impression.
Website: The Ocean Course at Hokuala
The Ocean Course at Hokuala’s #14 and #16 holes have been ranked as two of the Most Beautiful Holes In The World.
Highlights of The Ocean Course at Hokuala
- Oceanfront holes
- Volcanic cliffs
- Generous fairways
- Stunning coastal backdrop
- Longest oceanfront holes
- PGA instructors
2. Princeville Makai Golf Club
The Princeville Makai Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole par 72 course that was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1971 and renovated in 2010. It has five holes on top of cliffs with beautiful views of the ocean and white silica sand imported from Vietnam.
The course has seashore paspalum grass and a difficult par 3 hole where you can see the green from 100 feet up. The views from holes 7, 13, and 18 of the Pacific Ocean are especially beautiful. The Princeville Makai Golf Club is one of the top 100 public golf courses in the United States. Golfers who want to play the course more than once can buy a three-day pass.
The golf club also has guided cart tours for people who want to see the sights but don’t want to play. Overall, the Princeville Makai Golf Club is something that you should not miss.
Website: Princeville Makai Golf Club
Princeville Makai Golf Club’s 7th hole has been recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Holes in the World, and as per Golfweek, it has secured the fourth position in the state.
Highlights of Princeville Makai Golf Club
- Cliffside holes
- Oceanfront views
- Seashore paspalum grass
- Challenging par 3
- Large practice facility
- Guided cart tours are available
3. Poipu Bay Golf Course
Poipu Bay Golf Course is a highly regarded 18-hole championship golf course situated on the sunny south shore of Kauai. Overlooking a dramatic 150-foot sea cliff, this course hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for 12 years, featuring top-tier golfers like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course offers a challenging experience with grassy hollows, deep roughs, and slopes amidst the windiest parts of the island. The golf carts are equipped with built-in satellite navigation, providing precise tracking of holes and pins while playing.
The final three holes follow the cliff for spectacular views encapsulating the whole Kauai golf experience. The remains of an ancient Hawaiian village are scattered throughout the course, adding to its cultural significance.
You might even spot a monk seal or Nene goose if you’re lucky. Poipu Bay Golf Course offers players of all levels the opportunity to enjoy one of the best golf experiences on the island, with private lessons and tee time reservations available.
Website: Poipu Bay course
The 16th hole at Poipu Bay has been recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Holes in the World.
Highlights of Poipu Bay Golf Course
- Lush fairways
- Challenging rough
- Ocean views
- Scattered bunkers
- Fast greens
4. Puakea Golf Course
Located in Lihue, Puakea Golf Course is a unique and exciting track that originally opened in 1997 as a 10-hole course before it was completed with the help of AOL founder Steve Case in 2003.
The course offers stunning views of lush jungle, cliffside drop-offs, and sweeping ocean views. Its multiple par 3 holes and elevation changes throughout the course provide a varied and exciting playing experience.
Built on the site of a former sugar cane plantation, the course also features a putting green, a driving range, and a short-game practice area with various slope elevations. The course is known for offering affordable green fees, making it a popular choice for golfers.
Each hole on the main course provides a completely different playing experience, adding to the fun and making it a local favorite. Golfers can book tee times for Puakea Golf Course online, and its central location offers easy access to all of the island’s golfing attractions.
Website: Puakea Golf Course
Highlights of Puakea Golf Course
- Lush jungle and ocean views
- 18-hole course
- Multiple par 3 holes
- Putting green and driving range
- Short-game practice area
- Varied playing experience
- Elevation changes
- Affordable green fees
5. Wailua Golf Course
Wailua Golf Course is a public course in Kauai that started as a six-hole course in the 1920s and has been redesigned into an 18-hole course. The course features two phases designed by Toyo Shirai and is lined with groves of coconut trees.
Wailua Golf Course has a long history of hosting golf events and was voted one of the top 15 golf courses in Hawaii by Golf Digest. It offers challenges to experienced golfers while also catering to casual players with affordable rates and options for morning and afternoon twilight play sessions on nine holes each.
Golf club rentals are available in the onsite golf shop. With its stunning oceanfront views and serene ambiance, Wailua Golf Course is a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts.
Website: Wailua Municipal Golf Course
Highlights of Wailua Golf Course
- Seaside course
- Groves of coconut trees
- 18 holes
- Two separate phases designed by Toyo Shirai
- Easily walkable
- Challenging for experienced golfers
- Affordable rates
- Golf club rental available
- Morning and afternoon twilight play sessions are available
6. Kiahuna Golf Club
Located near the bustling resort area of Poipu, Kiahuna Golf Club offers golfers a unique experience that blends Hawaiian archeology and culture with breathtaking views. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course features remnants of an ancient Hawaiian village incorporated into its design, giving players a glimpse into Polynesian history.
The course is also home to native Hawaiian wildlife, including the Nene goose, the state bird of Hawaii. Lush fairways, emerald greens, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean make Kiahuna Golf Club an unforgettable experience. Players can also explore ancient Polynesian archaeological sites and structures from the 1800s while enjoying their round.
The course’s golf shop offers a variety of brand-name items to help golfers remember their unforgettable experience. With its perfect blend of culture and natural beauty, Kiahuna Golf Club is an excellent choice for a memorable round of golf.
Website link: Kiahuna Golf Club
Highlights of Kiahuna Golf Club
- Lush greens
- Stunning vistas
- Hawaiian archeology
- Ancient Polynesian structures
- Native wildlife
7. Kukuiʻula Golf Course
If you’re looking for a challenging and picturesque golf course in Hawaii, Kukui’ula Golf Course is definitely worth checking out. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, this private oceanfront course features 18 holes spanning 216 acres, with the 14th hole being a particular highlight for most golfers. Golf Digest has even ranked it as one of the best courses in Hawaii.
Located in Poipu on Kauai’s sunny southern shores, Kukui’ula Golf Course offers more than just a great golfing experience.
During the winter months, visitors can catch a glimpse of spinner dolphins and Humpback Whales from the course, making for a truly unforgettable view.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking for a scenic spot to tee off, Kukui’ula Golf Course is definitely worth considering.
Website link: Kukuiʻula Golf Course
Highlights of Kukuiʻula Golf Course
- Oceanfront
- Private
- Challenging
- 18-holes
- Designed by Tom Weiskopf
- Spinner dolphins
- Humpback whales
- Sunny southern shores of Kauai
8. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
Kukuiolono Park is a unique nine-hole golf course located on a hillside in Kalaheo, Kauai. The course was built on the site of an ancient Hawaiian heiau and features a Japanese garden, Eucalyptus forest, a meditation pavilion, and a collection of lava rock artifacts.
It offers stunning views of both the mountain and ocean and is favored by locals for its inexpensive green fees. Non-golfers can also enjoy the park’s paved and wooded paths, miniature golf courses, and other attractions.
Website link: Kukuiolono Golf Course
Highlights of Kukuiolono Golf Course
- Nine-hole course
- Hillside location
- Japanese garden
- Meditation pavilion
- Eucalyptus forest
- Lava rock artifacts
- Inexpensive green fees
- Mountain and ocean views
Our Take
To ensure an enjoyable golfing experience in Kauai, consider the course design, location, views, and playing conditions. With the perfect balance of serene ambiance and challenging play, golfing in Kauai is an ideal way to spend an afternoon and soak in the island’s natural beauty.
So whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie, don’t miss out on the opportunity to tee off at one of these golf courses and create unforgettable memories on this paradise island.
