Poipu Bay GC
A view from Poipu Bay Golf Course
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.7
198 Reviews (198)
5 Stars
147
4 Stars
36
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.8
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
92.5%
Recommend this course
186 out of 198 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
5 Reviews (5)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.6
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
5 out of 5 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.7
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
90.0%
Recommend this course
18 out of 20 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
This coastal Kauai layout winds dramatically along the shoreline, delivering spectacular ocean views and wind-challenged holes that consistently earn top marks for design. Friendly staff, well-kept fairways, and a reliable pace of play make every round a memorable experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7123 yards
Slope 134
Rating 73.9

Poipu Bay Golf Course has an ideal location between the beautiful coastline and lush emerald mountains. The course sprawls across 210 acres of tropical flowers and vegetation. The site is the former home to an ancient Hawaiian village, whose remnants have been incorporated into the course. Golfers have the rare opportunity to play next to 500-year-old handmade stone walls. Poipu Bay's links-style layout features firm fairways, 85 bunkers, and five water hazards throughout. There are open fronts that allow the ball to roll onto the putting surface. Water hazards come into play on eight holes. The unpredictable winds are the most challenging element of this course. The final two holes provide a memorable finish. The 17th features an ancient rock formation known as Mahualepu and the last hole is a demanding par 5 with a large pond on the left and a lateral hazard on the right.

Book a Tee Time at
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Paspalum Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr. (1991) Donald Knott (1991) Gary Linn (1991)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire must be worn at all times

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Lounge, Banquet Facilities, Spa, Showers, Locker Rooms

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.7
198 Reviews (198)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Previously Played

Management is the issue here!!

Great course but way over priced. Try the Ocean Eleven at $135, holes 8-18. The customer service at the desk and Craig the GM are the worst!

Not family or junior golfer friendly. I wanted my son to come out and ride with his dad on Thanksgiving but it would be either a $35 charge to ride or $140 for him to play. They wanted $35 for junior club rental? $100 for a seven-year-old hit a few balls? He’s seven!!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Play ability

I read reviews but really choose a course on layout and how it fits my game based on yardages

Yes I can hit the ball I am a fairly good golfer

I play yardages which fit my game I am old enough to know what my strengths are and when I should play tees other than the tips

I don’t play the tips at 7000 plus yards why I do t drive the ball 300 plus yards so there’s no reason to play them I feel good 66-6700

I played the blues here fit my game take away the two doubles I shot 77 if you hit fairways you will have a great time

The rough is tough to hit out of your club gets stuck in the grass thus the ROUGH

Seriously play the tees suited to your game you will enjoy

I certainly did great layout

Great conditions

Great greens

Great staff

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

A really great day of golf

Wife and I are back in HI for our 50th high school reunion on Oahu. Prefer Kauai so spending several weeks here prior to.

I almost expect higher end courses to exhibit "Bank President for a Day" syndrome among the staff, especially in the clubhouse. Not da kine at Poipu, the staff made all of the difference in an enjoyable round of golf. From check in, to starter, to driving range, to departure, every single person made us feel like we were the only customers on their agenda for the day. Cannot say enough about how engaged, professional, and FRIENDLY everyone was.

Even when walking to our car after the round, the starter caught us in the parking lot again thanking us for the business and other pleasantries. Countless other golf courses could take a lesson from Poipu.

Course was in immaculate shape, some tee boxes a tad sparce and a bit of brown in the fairway, but it is that time of year. Our only wish would be that the greens were not so slow. Great shape but very slow,, difficult to read breaks and distance.

Mostly wide open fairways, well placed bunkers, marvelous scenery on 16 - 18. Bring a camera. Long hitters can score on this course.

The only negative was a snotty groundskeeper on one hole. He was cutting the fringe of the green. Did not stop mowing while we made our approach shots, distraction. My ball ended up about 10 yards from his mower, he left the darn thing sit and run all the while I am making my shot (I duffed it of course), made absolutely no effort to move away from the green, shut down the mower, etc. while we were putting. And, no eye contact.

Paying almost $600 for a round of golf (2 people, plus premium rental clubs, plus odds and ends in the clubhouse), this should never happen. Growing up on Oahu as a Haole kid, I am used to sometimes being disliked by local guys. But, leave it at home and don't bring it to work. Your people were also immigrants.

In spite of one knucklehead, Poipu the course is Primo, Poipu Staff are Super Primo and set this course apart from its peers.

Will be back as often as possible.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Oceanside Course

Good layout and friendly staff. Greens were recently airated and difficult to putt.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 55
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Breath taking scenary

Yes it is not cheap to play here but the experience is well worth it. From the curb side service, to the personalized bag tag to practice tee attendant to the guy who cleans your clubs it was outstanding. The course is so beautiful it is almost distracting. If you want to play the same course that the major champions play, book it during your stay on Kauai you won't regret it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A great challenge

I have played this course several times. It is super fun when the wind is not blowing. (Which is almost never.)

A must golf if you flew to the island. I still think they should lower the prices and fill the course up so the staff would be busy but I am not a business owner. Last 4 holes are legendary.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 325
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Birmingham Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Trade winds will try to wreck your card at Poipu

A round at Poipu Bay involves navigating the 15-20 mph trade winds, that gusted to 25 mph today. Choosing the right club (today was a two-club wind, at times three) and correct shot will determine how well you fare on the scorecard.

Most holes play either directly into or downwind. There are not many crosswind shots, so pay attention to how far shots are going compared to normal early in the round, because the course gets tougher and tougher building toward the back nine and closing holes. Leave your ego on the range and get ready to hit a 5-iron 165 yards on the button (normally a 190-195 club for me) into the wind and still come up five yards short.

Pars are good scores, and you will have to work for them.

The collection of par 3s were very good, with only the third hole being a weaker link, although it is the only one that plays into the wind. The other three were varied in length, making for a good variety.

The paspalum greens were very hearty and putted like grainy Bermuda. Bunkers were thinner and composed of tightly-compacted sand.

Practice area was top-notch and pro shop was more than amply stocked.

In summary, Poipu Bay is marked by the closing stretch of holes on the ocean (Nos. 15-17), but scores will tend to be a bit higher here due to the severity of the wind.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Avery good course? Yes. A top course? No.

I won’t be able to comment the greens because they had been spiked and covered with sand two days before our round. The 30$ discount for that was nice, but honestly it should be more than that to play that kind of conditions. A good layout but it doesn’t stand the comparison with many mainland courses that I’ve played. Sure, the scenery is spectacular, but some holes are quite ordinary. Par 3 third and eleventh come to mind. Still a very good course but for that price you expect a five stars course. It’s a four star for me.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent all around

One of the most enjoyable rounds of golf. Excellent layout, great service, perfect location. Can’t imagine a nicer place to play a round of golf. A little steep price, however when in Kauai you probably should try to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Highly Recommend

I had a great time playing this course. The location is great and the views are incredible. I had an easier time on the front nine than the back but the views on the back nine were stunning. The conditions were great when I played! The staff was great during the check in process and I really enjoyed the pro shop as well!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The Most Playable Course in Hawaii

We have played about twenty courses in Hawaii, and this was among the best. In terms of play the most enjoyable from the tees suitable to our games. Some holes were unreachable for us in regulation, but very reachable plus one with the not unrealistic hope of a one putt.

We played with another couple in less than four hours.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Great challenge

Staff was great. Although windy, the course was very playable, but challenging. Beautiful ocean holes. One of my favorite of 16 courses played in Hawaii

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful views

We played this course twice because the second time it was $145.00 per person. The greens were beautiful and ran about at a nine to ten. The staff, especially Marsha, were fun and helpful!! It has great ocean views as two or three holes are right along the cliff lines. I’d definitely recommend this course to friends.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Exquisitely groomed

Exquisitely groomed and friendly. This is designed to fit the bill for a championship course, as well as a resort ,course. They do it about as well as anyone. Coupled with the spectacular scenery, what’s not to like?

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Postcard Beautiful

Hands down the most beautiful course I have ever played. I found the course challenging yet fair with almost perfect greens that putted true and at a reasonable speed (not ridiculously fast or public course slow). I have always loved playing RTJ and RTJJr courses because they make you think. This is no exception as they have both mastered the art of illusion drawing your eye to the place where your not suppose to hit the ball to. Well worth the price. I'll return no doubt about it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent course

It was a very beautiful course. The green is very well maintained, fast and challenging. The strong wind from the sea matter a lot for your record card, and need one to manage smartly. I am happy to have a chance to play here:)

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Excellent course

My father and I played this course while on vacation. There happened to be 40-50mph winds that day but we were going to play no matter the weather as we'll probably never get back to Hawaii, and we're very glad we did. There had been tons of rain in the week leading up to us playing and even a downpour as we were arriving but the course was in outstanding shape. The greens were absolutely immaculate. Three of the last four holes are unreal, right along the ocean for that stretch. If you're going to golf while in Hawaii that's what you hope for. The staff was also very friendly and accommodating. We got a nice little swag bag with a towel, ball mark and repair tool as they were celebrating 25 years. I'd recommend this course to anyone looking to play on kauai.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

No Restaurant !

I've played here for years but found on this trip they've decided to close the kitchen and sell out of a refrigerator. No breakfast, no lunch, nothing but ready made sandwiches from the refrigerated display case. No mixed drinks, just canned beer when you finish your round. No Beverage cart either, they cut that out as well I guess to save money. Feels like they removed part of the courses "soul". It's a bit isolated so there aren't other choices. Too bad, now it feels like an upscale muni. People were absolutely great !

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 28
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Quality golf.

Very well maintained from the smooth, nearly blemish-free fairways to true rolling greens and top-notch practice facilities, this course is well worth your time and money. The course is a fairly forgiving resort course with wide fairways, non-punitive rough, some spectacular views, attractive design and appealing landscaping. When we played, the greens were recovering from aeration, but were very smooth and consistent--just a little slow. I would anticipate in a few weeks that they would be mowed shorter and rolled firmer to give them a little more speed and challenge. I would like to try the course again with those green conditions. All of the staff was friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this course to low and high handicaps.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Nearby Courses
Koloa, Hawaii
Resort/Semi-Private
4.2665130568
235
Koloa, Hawaii
Private/Resort
3.8333333333
3
Kalaheo, Hawaii
Semi-Private
2.3333333333
5
Lihue, Hawaii
Public
4.3137109182
448
Lihue, Hawaii
Resort
4.0861928105
127
Kapaa, Hawaii
Municipal
4.2857142857
14
Golf Packages

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.
The Club at Savannah Harbor

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Bay Course

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at either The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account