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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
450 Reviews (450)
5 Stars
175
4 Stars
201
3 Stars
52
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.0
92.8%
Recommend this course
416 out of 450 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
14 Reviews (14)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.3
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
92.9%
Recommend this course
13 out of 14 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
48 Reviews (48)
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.8%
Recommend this course
46 out of 48 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
450 Reviews (450)

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 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 14
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 109
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice Course

The fairways and greens are well maintained and manicured.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Value

Great value as compared to the resort courses in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

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,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Nice view

Fun round of golf. Not easy, but not hard. Beautiful views. Great customer service. Friendly staff.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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!"

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

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!

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

Course was challenging but fair. Very good greens. Reasonable price for the Island.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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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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