GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
114 Reviews (114)
5 Stars
71
4 Stars
31
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.7
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
85.2%
Recommend this course
99 out of 114 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
2 Reviews (2)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.5
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
5.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 2 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
5 Reviews (5)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.8
100.0%
Recommend this course
5 out of 5 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

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+ Annual
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
114 Reviews (114)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Good condition

Course was in good condition, esp the greens were great. Interesting course, some good holes, some bad but I think it is overpriced for the area. Not the usual customer relations which I have seem at other courses in Kauai.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Makai - great layout, great greens, some holes need maintenance

Overall, a great layout. Very difficult with the wind. There were a number of holes that were not in good shape due to rain and poor drainage - playable but not what you expect when you are paying $150 to play. Greens were great. Bunkers very good. I enjoyed the course but it costs more than Poipu and Kaua'i Lagoons that are better layouts.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Love this course

I believe it has better views than the Prince ( dont get me wrong....love the Prince as well)....saw whales spouting off......course is well maintained......the only thing i would say as a negative is the food ....given that they are affiliated to the St Regis, i would have thought they would have a better selection. Nevertheless....one of my fav's and must plays in Hawaii.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

An 11handicap with 4 birdies so who's complaining

The course was in excellent condition. Great experience. Not a lot of play when I was there so the pace was great. I thought it was pricey for the experience but I guess that's Hawaii

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Gorgeous resort golf, high value for money

service was superior from the start - it is clear the staff is there to please and to make you want to come back. course condition is outstanding from practice green and range throughout all 18 holes. some of the views are phenomenal- it's incredible to feel like you are playing right into the ocean side. lots of beautiful bunkers that create the biggest challenges to the course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Scenic, good greens

Course has several holes playing into or along the ocean making for great scenery. Greens were rolling true and are well maintained. Challenging but not necessary tough course. Wind is a factor as in any other course on the island. Good cause for both high and low handicappers.

Course was in overall great shape. Only issue was that it does not drain well compared to other causes I played in Kauai under same conditions. I was also disappointed in the clubhouse but thats not why i play golf...

If you want a challenging course, play the Prince course for the similar price... If you just want to enjoy a leisurely round without the headaches, play Makai. Both have great scenery... Both are great courses.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 25
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautiful course in excellent condition

I rated the course value as average because while it was a bit pricey for me, it reflects the superb conditioning and great service. The course has some great risk/reward teasers, some real knee-knocker par threes, and some very subtle sloping on many greens, but everything is right in front of you with no tricked up features or hidden hazards. Sorry I only got to play it once this trip.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 185
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor

Great views of the ocean. #7 is a awesome par 3.

They did a great job on the renovation. The course was in great shape. The new greens and sandtraps are wonderful. If you are in Kauai and looking for a place to play try the Makai course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

This course has great vistas and beautiful ocean views while challenging even the best players.

My wife and I like to play this course several times when we stay in the Princeville area. It is scenic and challenging. The course can be challenging from longer tees and yet fair and forgiving enough for reasonable golf shots. From the longer tees, there are a fair amount of jungle and water distractions that you need to keep your focus. We enjoy the warmth and beauty this course offers.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great Course

This is a very picturesque course which can be distracting and depending on what your in the mood for difficulty wise you can play this course from as long as 7,223yds which makes some of the ocean carries very difficult. Definitely a must play!

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

A must play course in Kauai!

This course was my golf highlight on Kauai. From customer service to panoramic views, Princeville Makai is incredible. Customer care is paramount in this course and is something ALL courses should emulate no matter the stature... after all, golfers are the customers.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice Resort Course, a little pricy.

The Princeville Makai course is in superb shape after the re-design.
The staff goes out of their way to make you feel at home.
The only real drawback is that the pace of play can be slow at times.
The rates are a little pricy but worth the play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

nice course, nice carts, great ocean views, typical Hawai'i prices.

located in the best area of Kaua'i. challenging. great scenery. the new greens are superb.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

One of the best!

What a wonderful course! Since the renovation a couple of years ago the course has been immaculately maintained. I'm a 90's golfer and enjoy playing this course. Not too difficult but challenging nonetheless. The ocean views on holes 3, 6, 7, 13, 14 and 15 are unmatched and will take your breath away. Especially #3, an elevated par 3 looking down to Hanalei Bay.

What lacking here is a decent clubhouse and restaurant. The staff is very friendly. This is my home course so I play it frequently.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Nearby Courses
Kapaa, Hawaii
Municipal
4.2857142857
14
Lihue, Hawaii
Public
4.3137109182
448
Lihue, Hawaii
Resort
4.0861928105
127
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.
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.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account