Puakea Golf Course
About
Ranked the 13th Best Golf Course You Can Play in Hawaii by Golfweek Magazine in 2009, Puakea is a one of Hawaii's best kept golf secrets. Designed by Robin Nelson, Puakea is a fun golf experience for the recreational golfer while still a challenge for the better player when played from the back tees. Located in Lihue across from the Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Puakea is easy to get to no matter where you are staying on Kauai. With its fully stocked pro shop, large grass driving range and practice bunkers and practice green Puakea is a great place to spend the day working on your game. Be sure to visit the Grille for a burger, salad, sandwich or cold beer.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 72 | 6954 yards | 73.1 | 130 |
| Blue | 72 | 6471 yards | 70.6 | 128 |
| White | 72 | 6061 yards | 68.8 | 124 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6061 yards | 75.1 | 129 |
| Red | 72 | 5225 yards | 64.8 | 115 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5225 yards | 69.8 | 119 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green M: 73.1/130 | 404 | 558 | 407 | 180 | 359 | 176 | 389 | 510 | 438 | 3421 | 401 | 560 | 397 | 228 | 390 | 446 | 134 | 455 | 522 | 3533 | 6954 |
| Blue M: 70.6/128 | 390 | 530 | 367 | 149 | 342 | 176 | 364 | 489 | 410 | 3217 | 363 | 528 | 356 | 200 | 369 | 403 | 120 | 420 | 495 | 3254 | 6471 |
| White M: 68.8/124 W: 75.1/129 | 373 | 476 | 348 | 141 | 331 | 156 | 330 | 466 | 386 | 3007 | 329 | 510 | 339 | 171 | 345 | 380 | 109 | 393 | 478 | 3054 | 6061 |
| Red M: 64.8/115 W: 69.8/119 | 296 | 426 | 321 | 120 | 302 | 113 | 249 | 411 | 346 | 2584 | 306 | 446 | 298 | 118 | 310 | 328 | 100 | 310 | 425 | 2641 | 5225 |
| Handicap | 7 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 18 | 2 | 16 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 9 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 14 | 4 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Par three Photo submitted by MrsJones on 09/28/2025
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Photo submitted by 2ymFaxvT2ouuAw7PyeOS on 07/18/2025
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Photo submitted by u345335751 on 09/28/2024
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 08/07/2024
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 08/07/2024
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 08/07/2024
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 08/07/2024
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Par 3 with elevation Photo submitted by Roach8623 on 04/09/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by Clifford7195090 on 03/10/2024
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Photo submitted by u314159637207 on 02/27/2024
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Photo submitted by u000001363079 on 02/14/2024
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Photo submitted by johnb15 on 07/09/2023
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Photo submitted by Nickhedr on 01/18/2023
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Photo submitted by lmyers4371 on 10/04/2022
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Number 6 @Puakea Photo submitted by rcsacstate on 12/07/2019
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The sixth hole at Puakea plunges downhill. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 01/29/2014
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Photo submitted by garngarn on 10/30/2013
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Photo submitted by garngarn on 10/30/2013
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View from 6th hole tee box Photo submitted by u000007520885 on 07/03/2013
Great layout
The layout is excellent. The staff are great. The course would benefit from some serious maintenance on traps and tee boxes.
Always a fun challenge
I really like Puakea. It’s not always in great shape, but except for the 12th hole, I really like the challenging layout
Variety of Holes
This course was so much fun. Every hole offered something different. The course was in great shape and so much fun. The back nine got a little bunched up but I think it was because someone joined out of turn. Each cart has their starting time on it and one cart was definitely out of place.
Puakea is a gem and a must play
What an great golf course! The scenery under the backdrop of the mountains was fantastic. Course was in great shape: fairways and greens were excellent! Definitely a must play on Kauai!
Great Value
Great value as compared to the resort courses in the area.
What a phenomenal experience, the views are stunning. . Nothing beats golf on the Islands, staff is super friendly, course is challenging but not too difficult, greens rolled really well and I played in the sand a lot which was in great shape as well. Highly recommend,
Perfect and beautiful
Doesn’t look like much from the road, next to Costco, but once on the course it’s transforms into an absolute beautiful experience. Fairways and greens were perfect. Staff was extremely friendly and onsite amenities were great. And for the price, has to be one of the best values in Kauai. Nice touch was the cart ice chest that the restaurant happily filled with ice for us at the start. I’ll absolutely play here again should I return to Kauai.
Fun and challenging local course
This was my 2nd time playing this course. I love the layout. The staff is always friendly when you check-in.
Finished the round in 4 hours and 15 minutes. Perfect pace. I (I was a single) was paired up with a father/son and it was great. Good conversation which made the round more relaxing and fun.
For the price and if you are on Poipu side (course is in Lihue), you can’t beat the price for a very nice course.
Nice view
Fun round of golf. Not easy, but not hard. Beautiful views. Great customer service. Friendly staff.
Fantastic course!
The wife and I loved the course! The staff was super friendly, and made us feel at home. The breakfast burrito pre-round was excellent. The course was in great shape, and challenging. If you haven't played kakulu grass, it is definitely challenging, even for experienced golfers. The greens were perfect, rolling extremelynwell. We are looking forward to playing here again in the future. PS The wife says, "Ladies, do not be intimidated. It is really a fun course!"
Fun course with great views
Had a fun time with my dad while on the beautiful island of Kauai. Better cost compared to some of the other insanely expensive courses you can play. Good greens and mostly good conditions, with just a few tee boxes in not great shape. Some locals in front of us clearly "on" something and slowed us down towards the end, taking forever to find their balls, but it was fine. No starters or marshalls, and great staff.
Island golf
First time playing but my dad’s 3rd… good fairways and greens, some work to be done on a few tee boxes. No starters or Marshall’s so on the last 6 or so holes a couple locals were going very slow and looking for their balls left and right, so what could’ve been a sub 4 hr round turned into 4 1/2. But it’s island golf so slower is fine. Beautiful views of the mountains, and overall an enjoyable experience. Great staff too!
Course was challenging but fair. Very good greens. Reasonable price for the Island.