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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
448 Reviews (448)
5 Stars
175
4 Stars
199
3 Stars
52
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.0
93.3%
Recommend this course
414 out of 448 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
18 Reviews (18)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.8
94.4%
Recommend this course
17 out of 18 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
50 Reviews (50)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
96.0%
Recommend this course
48 out of 50 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
448 Reviews (448)

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 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun golf course

A great golf course. Enough obstacles to challenge anyone. Pace of play was slow.
Beverage cart appeared often. Beautiful terrain.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Fair weather
Used cart

Fun course to play!

Great course. My wife and I enjoyed playing and the staff was very friendly. The starter was very nice and had our rental clubs all ready to go with some good tips about the course. Hole 6 was a great par 3 hole!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

We play here every visit!

We like Puakea, it is a fun course and the staff is really nice. The food (sandwich, to go) was good and priced right. We could have gotten the same rate without Golf Now...
They don't have any over-length clubs and that was a bit of a problem for me. I'll rent elsewhere next visit, but Puakea will be on my must play list.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Nice track

Nice course but the greens are not in the best of shape and slow.

Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

this course is challeging

this course has some tough holes with narrow fairways,and long uphill holes.lots of nice scenery also.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Fair weather
Used cart

Every hole is different on this interesting course

My wife and I really enjoy this course. The holes are interesting and fair with lots of challenges. The designers did a great job of using the topography, creating water features and working round the ravines. The bunkering is good. the course condition is not the greatest but is quite adequate. This year the grass on the tees is in trouble but the greens are OK if a little slow. Usually the speed of play is good and it is rarely crowded. The staff are helpful and very friendly. Great short game practice area and grass tees on the range.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Great value for a Hawaiian course

This course is a real gem, with interesting holes, meandering through some jungle yet close to the mountains and yet almost overlooking the harbor. On one hole we seemed near enough to a cruise ship funnel to be able to hit a wedge into it. Only complaint is the greens were very slow. Noontime greens fee was a good value.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great value, Very good condition. Nice folks

Good, challenging course for me (bogey shooter). In very good condition--fairways, traps, water, greens. With Golf Advisor discounted rate, very good value compared to other Kauai courses.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Puakea golf outing

We were cruising and made a tee time for 2 people ferm the ship. We were late. No problem. Very relaxed atmosphere oa busy Saturday. Good rental equipment and fair price for balls and tees. Well laid out course for all handicap levels.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Paradise on Kauai

The course is well laid out without any shared borders on fairways, unlike the muni course on the island. Length is reasonable and winter green conditions were a bit off from their best. Local regulars are quite helpful on placement so buddy up at the first. Price point is very fair among the choices on Kauai.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

January 15 2014

We were treated by the staff very well, we were paired with a couple of good guys and had a great time. I would recommend this course to anyone.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Good for the price

I have played this course every yr for the past 5-6 ys during Jan/Feb. Quite easy to get a low price tee time on golfnow.com. and now the only course in Kauai where that is possible. Pace of play is reasonable taking a little more than 4 hrs. I did not find the staff with the usual customer friendly that I have seen in the past. Fairways are fine, but some of the greens have a variety of grass growing making putting difficult. Still it remains one of the best deals in Kauai.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Best Deal in Kauai

We found this course on Golf Now and not by local ads. The staff met us in the lot and walked us through everything. Great Staff! The funny thing was he said, don't judge us by the first 2 holes (because they backed up to Costco and a strip mall), Once we played the first two holes the course opened into a beauty of nature and course design. It was a fantastic day of golf and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the Princeville course we played the next day. Only this course was $125 less! Thank you Golf Now!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 768
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Puakea: The best golf value on Kauai

Don't let the first impression of the Puakea Golf Course fool you. Beyond the trailer clubhouse and the flat holes behind the local Costco hides a tropical paradise.
Puakea opened as a 10-hole course in 1997 after a hurricane halted construction. It was rescued when AOL founder Steve Case purchased the land in 2000. Original architect Robin Nelson was brought back to complete all 18 holes, which opened in 2003.
The 6,954-yard layout remains a local favorite for its scenery and affordability. Green fees are a steal once golfers get outside of the housing development of the first five new holes and into the jungle for the original routing. Great views of Mt. Ha'upu come later in the round.
The sixth hole requires a heart-stopping 176-yard downhill shot over water. The two par 3s on the back nine -- the 228-yard 13th hole and the tiny 134-yard 16th hole -- are a study in contrast.
Puakea can be a little rough around the edges compared to the higher end resort courses on the island. The traps might be unkept and the greens slow, although they're minor annoyances considering the price. The clubhouse doesn't look like much, either, but the food inside is much-improved and a pretty good choice for lunch.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

A little mix of a resort and local course

Puakea is a great option on Kauai for those who want a great Hawaii golf experience but without the resort price tag. The opening holes aren't much, but holes start getting really interesting midway thru the front nine and by the 11th hole you're playing a world class Hawaiian golf course. It's also a great place to hit balls and work on your game with full facilities.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

golfing in hawaii

absolutely beautiful day! great service from the parking lot to the end of the round. one person in pro shop - not so excited. must have had a hard day (was at the end of the day)
overall, nice to be able to use golfnow.com.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played

I have played this course several times this November & December

The person running the proshop is consistently irritable and difficult. The sand traps are in very poor condition.The back 9 is beautiful with exciting holes over canyons and water.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Better than curb appeal

Golf course is fun and can play as long as 6900 if you want more length. I would play it again as it's actually better than it looks from the street. It's forgiving for the average golfer.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Starts out ordinary and continues to get better, especially the back nine. Greens could be faster.

First few holes are boring but continues to get better with back nine holes being very good.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great deal for a good course on Kauai!

$55 or 59 is cheapest deal for a good course on Kauai. Even cheaper than wailua. Fun holes galore, staff is really good to us.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
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