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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
118 Reviews (118)
5 Stars
75
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.1
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.4
94.7%
Recommend this course
103 out of 118 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
5 Reviews (5)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.6
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.6
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
5 out of 5 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
8 Reviews (8)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.3
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
8 out of 8 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s 7,223-yard oceanfront design delivers breathtaking cliff-top holes and a challenging yet playable layout that consistently impresses golfers. The pro shop staff earns exceptional praise for warmth and helpfulness, making the overall experience genuinely memorable.

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.

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Princeville Makai Golf Club - Makai Course
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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+ Annual
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.7
118 Reviews (118)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 6
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 10
Forced Carries 9
Water Hazards 8
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 11
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 10
Advanced Golfers 10
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 10

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Top 5 course for me

This course was all it was made up to be. The condition of the fairways and greens were perfect. The views, especially from 6 and 7 were spectaular. Definatly a must play when in Kauai.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Save your money

This course would not be worth even half of what they are asking to play 18! Take the 30 minute trip and go play the Muni - clay sand (not white like in pictures) greens not kept up and 0, and I mean 0 service amongst the entire course. Way to ruin the last day of a vacation.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Simply Beautiful!

The course is stunning and the entire staff makes the experience special. One of my favorite rounds of golf ever.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

$300 to play punched greens.

Disappointed to find that the greens had large aeration plug holes. No white sand as shown in pictures. Handful of ocean views. Very Long par 3s.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
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 53
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 12
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
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Golf Packages

Princeville Makai Stay & Play Package

Click Below for Pricing*
KAUAI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, or The Cliffs at Princeville and golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club.
Princeville Makai Golf Club

Princeville Makai Stay & Play Package

Click Below for Pricing*
KAUAI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, or The Cliffs at Princeville and golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club.

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.

The Ocean Course at Hokuala Stay & Play Package

Click Below for Pricing*
KAUAI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences, Marriott's Kaua'i Beach Club, or The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort and golf at The Ocean Course at Hokuala.
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