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
Would like to see water stations at a few holes.
I would like to see at least 2 water stations on the course. Maybe one on the front nine and one on the back nine.
Best greens we played on the island
Staff was friendly, other players were polite. Best course for the price on Kaua’i. The greens were better than other courses charging over double. Good layout. I would definitely recommend and play again.
Nice layout
Course needs some better maintenance, the marshal was a complete jerk, there was virtually no one on the course, we were at the first tee box 10 minutes ahead of our time and he told us to hurry up…never thanked us for paying $350 to play….
Great course. verify your tee time
We were set up to play at 9:00am, got the verification e-mail. when we checked in they told us our tee time was 8:40 because a tournament was behind us. I rechecked my e-mail and the time had changed. I had checked it the night before to make sure we were on time because I had the same problem on Oahu with a wrong tee time. Normally no problem, but, they didn't reach out to let us know we got moved up so we were in a rush to make the time. Made the box on time but were rushing the first couple holes to get stretched out and relax to enjoy being in a beautiful place. Ended up playing decent. The surroundings were just as I remembered, with a few more houses sprinkled in. Hawaii is never a bad place to golf. Enjoy
Well enough
Front 9 was in really nice condition Back 9 had green traps in repair and tee boxes were in bad condition., un mowed, etc. still really enjoyed our time and enjoyed the various challenges.
Kauai golf
The staff at the course were excellent. Driving range very good. Lots of construction on the course but that did not affect playability. Front nine greens airated but no problem. Back nine greens excellent. Overall great experience.
Working on course
Sand traps are being reworked so 9 holes open weekdays, 18 holes open on weekends. Traps not playable so get free drop outside.
Puakea has deteriorated badly
I first played the Puakea Golf Course on Kauai in May of 2024. I was really impressed by the course and it was in immaculate condition. I just played on March 23, 2025, and it was in terrible shape. Really terrible. I understand that all courses go through renovations, and in all fairness, Puakea is going through some renovations now. They are doing a lot of work on the green sand traps and I am sure those will be great, in time. But there is no excuse for the condition of the tee boxes, especially the blues. They had weeds, sand and brown, dead grass. The fairways were a little better, but not great either. I would not have played there had I known the condition and would have spent more money to play at Princeville Makai. Sorry, but it was not in great shape at all. Also, not even an acknowledgement of my presence by the team taking care of the carts when I turned in the cart. No offer to help with your clubs or clean them or even "how was the course?" Maybe they know the answer. I would avoid it for now.
Good mid priced course.
First time playing and hooked up with a twosome of regulars which helped. Course layout very nice and some challenging holes.
A few tee boxes had some rough areas but the rest of the course was nice. Greens had been sanded a few days before I played but they rolled great.
Rental Clubs uwere PXG, nice but $70 to rent.
Bunkers
I was in 3 bunkers. They were hard mud.
Should have marked as GUR.
Greens could have been a little quicker