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 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 12 | 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 tspeters11 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
A fun golf day experience.
Generous fairways with some challenging, but fair, holes. Two par three holes are over water and one has an approximately 150 foot drop. Great to see and fun to play. The pro-shop and restaurant are not large but are adequate. The staff is super friendly and very helpful. The whole experience was so pleasant, we played it again the next day.
Good course for the money
Slow play, but partially due to rainy conditions. Nice fairways and greens, and nice layout. Great snack bar, and friendly staff. Wish I had seen a Marshall out on the course. Would like to play it again.
Good course for the price.
When traveling to Hawaii, and especially playing golf, it can be hard finding affordable options. This is one of those. We booked a 'hot rate' and thought it was a real nice course for the money. Located directly behind the Costco on the island, it was convenient and in good shape, especially the greens. I would say the greens were average in speed but in very good shape. Course also had some real nice mountain views, no true ocean views however. Would play again on another trip to the island.
Beautiful setting, challenging holes, back 9 is super.
We had delays due to rain that just wouldn't quit, but greens drained well and played well. Third time here, would come back again in a minute. Had the back 9 to ourselves due to the rain and loved it!
Bested me
This was the first time that I have played this course and had some difficulties with it (darn sand) but overall it was a nice round. Some interesting holes and the course was quiet so there was no pressure to hurry the round and you could take that extra shot on the par 3s. I would like to come back and give this course another go.
A fun course..great views and not crowded
I joined up with 2 locals and had a great time. We were first ones out and played quickly. Course had some pretty holes and some bland holes. The view of the mountains were great. Price is far less than the resorts but course is not as scenic but was still fun.
Good value for money
Enjoyed all the way throughout the course, with beautiful weather. It's not crowded.
Best value on Kauai
Puakea is a fun track right in Lihue. The fairways are in good condition and wide enough for any skill level. (but stay on the fairways) The greens are well protected by bunkers, but large and friendly. The grass on the greens were inconsistent and putting was difficult. If you are looking for a fun round at a challenging course with a relatively low price... Think Puakea.
An excellent value compared to other quality courses on the island
Very friendly personnel - a good layout (don't let the 1st 2 holes fool you) - the bunkers are a bit inconsistent, but the course is a very good golfing experience. Difficulty depends upon your choice of tees. Use the internet to get a good price.
Fun course with reasonable challenges
A good course to get your "golf" legs early in the season. A lot of interesting holes; none have unreasonable challenges.
Challenging for high handicappers
This is a really good course with a variety of holes. Lots of sand traps and some water but generally user friendly for amateurs. The staff from the pro shop, the starter and grounds keepers were all very friendly and made the day for us.
greens inconsistent, and slower than comparable courses, fairways need attention.
Bunkers have great sand, very playable, but greens inconsistent and slower than comparable courses. fairways need some attention, but generally good.
This course required some planning of shots. There was a good variety of holes.
I was a little concerned about not being able to finish our round before sunset. The starter let us out on the quieter back nine first. The grass conditions were rough in a couple of spots but overall I had a great time playing this course. I will play it again when I come back to Kauai.
Great course for all levels of casual golfers
Puakea is a great course for all levels of casual golfers. The course lays out in front of the players with very few blind shots and very easy to navigate directions and cart paths. The price is reasonable, facilities are fine and the Staff is player friendly. We only played it once but would recommend it and will play it again on next trip!
Subject to more rain than Poipu courses
We were rained out the first day on the first hole - they gladly rescheduled for the following day.
Well maintained. Fairways very generous.
Lots of couples playing which slowed the pace down, but most were golf savvy and let me play through. Course was in great shape.
great
friendly staff
good condition, very lush
challange from blue tees; tips are too hard for most golfers
nice vistas
bunkering a bit unusual
Highly recommended I am returning in 2 days
A good mix of challenging holes and some easy.
This is a great course for the price. No two holes alike. The wind can make some of this very tricky.
Scenic challenge
From the nearby roads, this course appears almost simple. But, the challenging & interesting holes are in the back country, and they require some thought. The scenery is gorgeous, with long views of the area around Lihue. The value for the money is well above average.
Beaufiful surrandings and not a whole lot of houses around
The majority of holes are unique and not just the run of the mill back and forth. Lots of blind drives and curvy greens. Plenty of bunkers to find your ball. Water on quite a few holes. All which add up to a wonderful golfing experience here in Kauai.
Looking at all the lush green scenery can help get your mind off the cold weather and brown fairways back home in Texas this time of year. You will find the staff very helpful and the conditions are always great. Have played here every year since they opened and still find it fun and challenging!
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