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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
453 Reviews (453)
5 Stars
175
4 Stars
203
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
4.1
92.9%
Recommend this course
419 out of 453 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
17 Reviews (17)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
7
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
94.1%
Recommend this course
16 out of 17 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
42 Reviews (42)
5 Stars
23
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.2%
Recommend this course
40 out of 42 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
453 Reviews (453)

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.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

The fairways are in good to excellent shape. The greens are below average with dead areas on some greens and in general a poor grass surface.

Much work is required on the greens. Kiahuna greens are very much better.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Par 3s are challenging from the Blues or Greens.

Fairways and greens in good shape although the greens are vey slow. Almost impossible to hit the putt hard enough uphill. But down hill with the grain is another story. Bunker sand consistent unless it is wet; then the sand is very heavy.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great

So nice we are playing again. Very wide and forgiving fairways. Beautiful setting near the airport.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Easy
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great course at great price, thanks to Golfnow

Have pla he'd here am ny times a good test and staff is great

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

This course has it all!

Although there is no ocean view the course itself makes up for that by tremendous scenic vistas and lovely par three holes. Puakea is not difficult but challenging, the length is fair and the layout is very nice. This rates very high on our golf experience on Kaiwai.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Second time playing this course & loved it again.

Very interesting with variations between open fairways & absolute jungle & lots of 'beaches' (bunkers)! We started at 2 pm in October and really had to rush to have the cart back by the deadline of 6 pm. Very pleasant people and we basically had the course to ourselves. Cart essential!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Hole #6 is a gem!

Layout is wonderful with harbourview&mountainview.Great design.Great value.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great bargain

This course is inland so you don't get the ocean views but , on the back nine the course goes through cane fields and some jungle.
The front nine is dominated by Costco which is seen from all angles. The course is well maintained with tough deep traps and water hazards on some holes. The undulations on the fairways provided plenty of challenges. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. Nice driving range and practice area. The rental clubs were in good shape. My only complaint is the greens are very slow. With prices at the resort courses on Kauai way over the $100 mark, this course is a bargain and enjoyable.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

The Staff was very friendly and helpful. Course is very suitable to very ability levels.

I thoroughly enjoyed he course and it's layout. The course is pleasing to the eye and very good condition. The greens were on the slower side, but fair. To someone is high handicapper, the course was a challenge and yet a pleasure to play while on vacation.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice track, with pleasant surprises.

Puakea is a well maintained course that starts fairly flat, then opens up some terrific vistas and challanges. We go to kauai every year, and try to play here each trip. The value is great, the staff is friendly, and the experience makes for a very enjoyable round.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

very affordable for Kaua'i

nice and quiet. great mountain views. not crowded at all.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

great course, challenging and still a lot of fun

All courses on Kauai are overpriced for non-residents, so Golfnow's special rates makes them within reason.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice mountain views

This course has expansive fairways and nice greens. Not play occurring during the time that I played which made for lots of sightseeing along the way. It might be better to play the longer tees if you hit the ball long.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Easy
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Golf Packages

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Kapalua Resort Bay Course

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.

Best of Maui Golf Package

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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