GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
113 Reviews (113)
5 Stars
70
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
3.6
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
88.3%
Recommend this course
98 out of 113 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
3.8
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
4 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.7
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.9
90.0%
Recommend this course
9 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7223 yards
Slope 134
Rating 75.4

Makai Golf Club at Princeville is a 27-hole layout that was carved into a sloping hillside, perched high above the Pacific overlooking the beautiful Hanalei Bay. The course enjoys an unrivaled setting with both mountain and ocean views. The club was once three different nines, but a major renovation in 2010 combined the Ocean and Lakes nines into an 18-hole championship course while the par-36 Woods remained a nine-hole course. The courses are Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s first design on Kauai, where he would go on to design four other golf courses. The signature hole comes on the front nine, the former Ocean course. The par-3 third hole offers not only a stunning view of the bay but also a challenging test that plays from an elevated tee to a water-protected green 100 feet below.

Book a Tee Time at
Princeville Makai Golf Club - Makai Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1971
Fairways Seashore Paspalum
Greens Seashore Paspalum
Golf Season Year round

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Proper golf attire.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Spa

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

4.5
113 Reviews (113)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Makai course review

Probably the most beautiful course I have ever played on. The course itself was challenging and course management was key. The greens rolled true and consistent throughout. The staff was very accommodating as we had eight people total scheduled. Two players had to be med-evacuated to Oahu for a medical emergency and they “comped” the one player who was able to return. Overall paradise defined.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 48
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Breathtaking!

Course is in pristine condition. Layout is interesting - last 2 holes are the toughest. Everyone from the starter to the bag man to the pro shop employees were the best I ever encountered. Played here 4 times and would play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Windy weather
Used cart

course was not in good shape

Most holes were cart path only. Lots of mud. Had to clean mud off ball and club with wet rag after every shot.

played 14 holes and quit. Course in better conditions would be great.Too much money for conditions!

Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

I'll review course but it will cost you $50

Most expensive round ever! I stopped by the course thinking that I would hit some balls on the range and check on tee times for the next day. Staff couldn't beat the online GolfNow rate ($285). Although range balls are included in with the round, they wanted $50 to hit a few balls that day. No thank you!

My wife was thinking about riding along with me and checking out the views and the birds ... until we saw there was a $40 non-golfer fee to ride along. Ridiculous!

The course was in pretty good shape with exception of the bunkers. It had rained heavily three days prior and many of the bunkers were unplayable due to the sand being washed away. Pace of play was good. As a twosome (another single played with me) we finished in under 4 hours. Overall, a nice course and the only golf choice on the north end of the island. However, way too expensive for nothing special.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lovely course with exquisite views, pricey given most bunkers destroyed

The course was enjoyalbe, however due to a storm the previous day, most bunkers on the back nine were destroyed and unplayable. No price adjustment and generally overpriced.

Stunning ocean views and challenging water holes. Good pace of play. Wondeful exposure to albatross nesting area and their flight near the cliff sites. Linited 19th hole amenities with only a few secluded outdoor tables and nothing special for offerings.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stunning Views

Great course with stunning views on most holes. Very friendly and helpful staff and a very good lunch.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Fun Course

Loved playing it, with all the beautiful scenery surrounding it. The pace of play was SLOW, however and I had to wait on my shots many, many times. The clubhouse restaurant stops serving food at 4:00 and, of course, I didn't get there until 4:10, so we had to settle for snacks.

But it is a beautiful course and I would like to play it again someday.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very Scenic, challenging

Known for the scenery, the course did not disappoint. Course plays long and is challenging.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Amazing staff. Great course layout

Would recommend over the ocean course. Better staff and course overall.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing

No Service

I’ll start with the course has beautiful views. When I checked in at 10:45 they told me the restaurant was closing at 1pm. They never said there is no beverage cart, we don’t give you any water, or that it was cart path only. They don’t even provide a towel o to clean your ball and there are no ball washers. It was very wet on the front but no reason for cart path only on the back. They also had a bunch of made up tee boxes for the forward tee’s on the back. The last 2 holes are just stupid and ruined a good round.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Not worth $375

You pay $375 for the views, not the course. Payed an extra $50 for my wife to ride along. Views were immaculate, but course is nothing special, greens were spotty and slow, fairways were long.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 31
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent golf course, so beautiful, so much fun!

Excellent golf course, so beautiful, so much fun! The course was in excellent condition. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The Starter managed to get me out earlier. The views of the coast are spectacular and I never get tiered of seeing them!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

great lay out, beautiful views

Course is in great shape, the greens are perfect and you can't beat the scenery

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Vacation

Check in smooth and fast. Starters were great. Friendly and put you at ease. Course well taken care of. Pace of play good. Views awesome

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Enjoyable course when you pick the correct tees

Lucky for us it didn't rain which it usually does on the north side. It was windy. 6400 yards is usually driver short iron for me but the wind was constantly against us. Made the par 3s more challenging.

The course is absolutely gorgeous. It's in great shape. Unlike other Hawaii courses, this one doesn't seem to be tricked out with a beautiful yet impossible layout. I played well and found bunkers a few times. The greens were surprisingly NOT PGA fast which was more enjoyable.

They spaced us out into twosomes. We did front 9 in 1:45 with carts. The food place had a line which was the only bummer and slowed us down a full 15-20 minutes. Took us about 4:05 to play 18.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 761
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Golf Advisor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Makai means "toward the ocean" in Hawaii

The Princeville Makai lives up to its name on Kauai's north shore. It is ocean royalty.

The ocean holes are gorgeous. The 338-yard 14th over an ocean cove might be the best short par 4 ever designed by RTJII. Even after a successful tee shot, the second is a daunting flip wedge over a front bunker to a cliffside green.

Lost is the greatness of the ocean holes is the dramatic 3rd, a par 3 that plummets from an elevated tee to a green protected by a pond. The water-logged 18th is equally compelling, playing over a pond twice as a risk-reward par 5.

Lots of great holes and scenery for days out here. If your spouse or family don't play, it might be worth signing them up for a "sunset" tour around the course. It's a chance to share a special place with those who are special to you.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

bucket list round

loved the course

staff were all rude, very disappointing

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Nearby Courses
Kapaa, Hawaii
Municipal
4.2857
14
Lihue, Hawaii
Public
4.2356731516
432
Lihue, Hawaii
Resort
4.308907563
124
Golf Packages

Kauai's Premier Golf Package

FROM $497 (USD)
KAUAI | Play two of the best courses the Garden Island has to offer! This Golf-Only package includes one (1) round of golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club and one (1) round of golf at The Ocean Course at Hokuala.

Kauai Golf Experience Package

FROM $657 (USD)
KAUAI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and 2 rounds of golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club & The Ocean Course at Hokuala.

Kilauea Stay & Play Package

FROM $287 (USD)
ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy 3 nights’ accommodations at Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant and 2 rounds of golf at Volcano Golf Club.

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $227 (USD)
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.
The Club at Savannah Harbor

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $227 (USD)
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account