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Rating Index Rating
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4.6
116 Reviews (116)
5 Stars
73
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.0
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.3
94.2%
Recommend this course
101 out of 116 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
3 Reviews (3)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.7
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.3
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
3 out of 3 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
6 Reviews (6)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.2
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
6 out of 6 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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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GolfPass Member Pricing
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.6
116 Reviews (116)

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 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent condition with views that are spectacular on 4-5 holes

The tees, fairways and greens were in terrific shape. I had not played in Hawaii for several years because the greens were typically very grainy, but these greens were very true and the speed was quick, but very fair. The early holes, except for #3, are not very challenging, but the rest of the course was a real treat. At times the course plays much longer than the yardage, due to elevation change and wind. The green fee, $117, was very fair for the quality of the course and views that are amazingly beautiful once you get to the ocean holes (some on front and back nines). I would play again without hesitation.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

beautiful ocean views

Spectacular scenery along the cliffs of Princeville, Kauai. Lots of sand bunkers and windy conditions make for a good test of your golf game. Very friendly staff.

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

Incredible service

During our 2 week´s stay in Hawaii we played several courses and chose Princeville as our latest.
The staff was very, very friendly!
They took as from the parking area, brougth all our equipment to the caddy master. The GPS was introduced to us, including our german language.
At the end we could send the scorecard to our e-Mail.
Then our staff was completely cleaned and our car was brought precooled from the parking area directly to the baggage drop.
And the course: Spectecular. On some holes you think to play directly in the ocean.
The only minus: Remaining sand on the greens after verfication.
Anyway very true and very fast greens. Bunkers in perfect shape.
Congratulation to all the team of Princeville!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very nice resort course!

This is a very nice resort course. Even though the fairways are wide, there are several very challenging holes, particularly when the wind blows (which is most of the time). The staff is very friendly and helpful. They parked our car, stored our bags for our next round and made us feel very welcome. Nice folks all around.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Loved Princeville Makai, must play

Beautiful course, I agree with another review, hard to focus on the game with all the stunning views. Our home course is designed by Donald Ross, punitive greens, Princeville Makai is the opposite, your ball will stick, greens run true. Very fun and a challenge. Can not say enough positive, and nothing negative. Wind was not a problem the day we played, nice to have as it was about 84. Also, abundant birds, and a baby albatross in a nest, your cart GPS will warn you when you are approaching the nest.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Must Play

Course is in fantastic shape. Greens are outstanding with no grain. Fairways are generous. Views of surrounding mountains and ocean make it difficult to focus on your game. Played five times in two week period and all rounds completed in 4 hours or less. Staff very professional and helpful. Can't say enough good things about the course. If you need to choose between Makai and Prince courses, go with Makai. Prince is target golf with several elevation changes and blind shots. If you don't hit it straight, you are in for a rough day and will need a lot of golf balls. Plus Makai is in much better shape and has better views.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful views

This course is well maintained and if you stay in the short grass you'll have a good round, but just being out here make for a wonderful experience

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course is possibly the finest course I have ever played and I have played golf all over the world. This course has amazing Views. Fantastic!!!

This course is beautify, challenging but fair, very playable and possibly the most beautiful course I have ever played in 40 years of playing golf all over the world. This course is worth the trip.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful vistas of ocean and mountains

Difficult course with wind, water and a few lost balls but the views make this course well worth it.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful views and location.

Course is nicely manicured. Wind can be a factor. Greens are slow.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Wait till greens come back

Not fun putting on punched greens. Save your money

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Commented on 05/05/2014

Aloha Simpsonskcm,

Mahalo for taking the time to review the Princeville Makai Golf Club. We are very sorry to hear your trip to our island paradise fell at the same time our aeration process was still evident. I can assure you if we did not have to do this to our greens we would not. We assure you that next time you visit Makai's putting greens will be back to their perfect conditions and rolling true as ever!

Mahalo!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Course is in great shape, but does not have the breathtaking views of other courses.

If you are from the the East Coast, be prepared for VERY slow greens. This is due to the type of grass used here. This fact brought a degree of frustration to the game that somewhat spoiled it for me. The course is in perfect condition with a beautiful layout, but it does not having the amazing, almost distracting, golf holes that other Hawaiian courses have. This is a course set up for the true golfer, not the camera-wielding tourist out for an easy game.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

This course is excellent in every way.

The course was in great shape,beautiful, and a great challenge. It was a joy to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course in Princeville

Playing in Kauai is not cheap, but we found this course to be the most cost effective in Princeville and Makai did not disappoint. Beautifully maintained, unbelievable views, and challenging throughout with a lot of sand. We felt like we were the only ones on the course, too. I would definitely play this course again. If you get a great deal on your tee time and are considering playing another round, ask them if they'll match the rate when you check in...chances are they will.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

loved the course

Beautiful course in excellent condition. Several holes on the water.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Awesome course - I would definitely play it again if I come back to Kauai!

The Makai Course has some shorter, easier holes, as well as some longer, more difficult holes. The holes along the coast on each 9 are incredible - be sure to take your camera!
All of the greens have multiple tiers, and you need to reach the correct tier if you want to score. Awesome course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Good golf, great scenery !

Princeville Makai is a well-designed and beautifully maintained course on the North Shore cliffs of Kauai, and a good golf experience in an amazing natural setting.

Good challenges, with lots of bunkers, water on several holes, and unmatched scenes of the surf below the cliff top lay-out. Winding through beautiful , lush, tree-lined fairways, the Makai course has 6-7 holes on the edge of the Pacific.

We saw whales, sea-birds, rolling surf, and wonderful vistas. Good service from a friendly and flexible staff. It is between $100 and $180 for green fees, and we paid $59 for club rental of a complete Callaway set and a half-dozen balls.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Course renovations make the course more challenging

I've played this course a few times and have played it one other time since the renovations. The silica sand bunkers stand out and give the holes better definition than before. The views of the ocean, the St. Regis hotel in the background (hole #3),, some whale watching on the back nine all make this course a beauty to play. And booking it through GolfNow makes it an even better deal. Thanks GolfNow.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course and great views

This course has wide fairways for the average golfer and plenty of hazards for those that play aggressively. The greens roll true and the bunkers are consistent. Regardless of how your game is going the views of the mountains and ocean are fantastic.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

The course conditions were the best I have ever played. I am a weekend hacker who plays on public courses though.

The course has a handful of holes with excellent views of the island and the water. However, If I were to go back this would not be my first choice. It was challenging for my skill level.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely 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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