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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
452 Reviews (452)
5 Stars
175
4 Stars
202
3 Stars
53
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.0
92.9%
Recommend this course
418 out of 452 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
26
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.7%
Recommend this course
45 out of 47 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Puakea's varied, challenging layout delivers beautiful mountain views and consistently solid conditions at an outstanding value compared to other Kauai courses. Exceptionally friendly staff and a smooth pace of play make every round an enjoyable island experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6954 yards
Slope 130
Rating 73.1

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.

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Puakea Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1997
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Robin Nelson (2003) Robin Nelson (1997) Mark Miller (1997)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

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

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

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Reviews

4.3
452 Reviews (452)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 23
Brunch 10
19th Hole Specials 7
Course Challenges Include:
Bunkers 50
Elevation Changes 40
Water Hazards 37
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 38
Locals 29
Seniors 29
This Course's Location is:
Convenient to the City 53
Near the Airport 51
Near Local Attractions 13

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Good price

The staff was outstanding and very friendly. There had been a lot of rain and the course was pretty muddy. It was the cheapest course to play on the island, but I'd pay a little more for a nicer course. Great food at the restaurant.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

KAUIA GOLF

GREAT COURSE BUT SENIOR TEES SHOULD BE ADDED

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Judy

Good course among all the pricey ones on the island lots of sand!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Average weather
Used cart

A real gem, even if a little scruffy

This is a top-notch layout, starting from the very first hole with a stream lined with lava rocks snaking along the right side. Highlight is the par 3 6th with the dramatic downhill elevation change. This course has managed to remain homey and low-key, although you're afraid that some developer will come in and make it all resort-y any day now and start charging double the price or more. It would still be worth a visit. It's really an excellent, fun to play and it remains THE golf value on the island. There were some scruffy spots here and there, though. Around a few greens, there were some bare dirt patches, and several greens had that crabgrass-like weed that marred the putting surface, although they stay very flat and remained putt-able.

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

Great day on the course

It is always a pleasure to play this course.....always very lush.....very scenic and challenging. We. Will be back

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing

Tale of two cities

First the good. The layout of this course is spectacular and a real fair and fun test. Mountain views add to the beauty. The front nine winds through a Costco and a sub-division. The back is pristine and just excellent.

Now the bad. Muni. Muni. Muni. The paspalum greens on the front are slow. On the back, they are gnarley and slow. The par threes are difficult for muni players and we had three groups waiting/playing the same hole. Of course there is no ranger. We played on Memorial Day and there was no cart girl. The rental clubs are Stone Age. Atrocious.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great Kauai Golf Value

Puakea is a great value for any golfer/ The course staff is first rate, extremely helpful and friendly. The course offers challenges for golfers of all abilities. I can't wait to play there again and again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

An Experience To Remember

This was such a great surprise! We were greeted by Richard who helped us navigate the details of play of this beautiful course. Range balls and cart were included in our fee which was a definite value. Each hole presents a new challenge and a spectacular view. It was a great course for those who like the challenge of something new and not too intimidating for not so great golfers. It was a day I will always remember on my trip to Kauai....a must play if you are an adventurous golfer!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great layout

This course has a lot of interesting holes that requires you to think more, especially when the trade winds are up. However, the greens were inconsistent with half of them being rather bumpy (looked like a different grass was infiltrating) but the rest were very smooth and rolled well.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout and scenery

Puakea is a nicely layed out course with lots of variety. It is quite scenic, although there are lots of houses alongside some holes. It is not a 'resort' course, but the rates are far more reasonable. No beverage/snack cart on day we played. I would play this course again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

The greens need a lot of im[provement

The course layout is very nice. The bunkers and the greens need a lot of work.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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
Excellent weather
Used cart

Had a Blast!

I had never played this course before and loved it! The course views once we headed for the mountains was something out of Jurassic Park!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Feb2016

First and foremost, they should be ashamed to charge you $30-40 to rent these clubs. They are very beat up old Nike SQ. My wife's 3-wood had a big dent in the top and a driver with a dent too. Putter grip was completely down to the cloth, which I swapped out after front 9. If you're renting clubs, RENT THEM ELSEWHERE. The experience with the clubs makes for a frustrating round. Otherwise the course is pretty decent for the price on Kauai, and nice views in many places. Somewhat different feel to the front 9 vs. back 9. Greens not great on some holes, but most ok and other landscaping very nice. Course staff was nice to deal with.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Fun round of golf in beautiful weather

Quickly greeted by the outside service person. Our check-in was friendly. We are going to soon move there so the staff person in the pro shop gave us information on joining the club at the course and explained the benefits of membership. All staff we saw was very friendly. At the conclusion of our round, we were greeted and asked how our round was and clubs taken off our cart. All in all a very fun round of golf.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Rough greens

A lot of greens are in pretty bad shape. A lot of money for the conditions. Signs say no food or beverages to be brought in but no carts to get anything to eat or drink. Water was available on a few holes but some were empty. Very slow play

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great views.

The views are amazing. Some greens are in bad shape. Very interesting layout not to hard. I would definitely play here again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Interesting and inconsistent

This is an interesting course with several pretty holes. It was in reasonable shape from tee to green, but the greens are very inconsistent. Some were in good condition and several were very bumpy with poor grass cover. Many bunkers come into play. Pace of play was good. Two of us took less than three hours starting at 8:30 am. Would recommend the nearby Wailua course for condition of the greens and value.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A bit disapointed

I play the course every year while on Kauai. Good range, good carts, good layout. More then a few good holes. Got the $55 golf now rate which is good. The normal rate is a bit high for quality/condition of course. The greens are the biggest problem, maybe six are very rough, the rest are ok.
Because public courses are limited on Kauai I will play it again while here if I get the $55 rate..

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great back 9

Great back 9, great value some of the greens were in bad shape other greens were great

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

Good cours, good value, good experience

We really enjoyed our round at this course. The staff was very friendly and courteous from arrival to departure. The course itself was stunning and fun to play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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Golf Packages

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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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The Ocean Course at Hokuala Stay & Play Package

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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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SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

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SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

Princeville Makai Stay & Play Package

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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.
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