GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
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
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
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.

Book a Tee Time at
Puakea Golf Course
Powered by GolfNow.com

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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

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 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

The course is not being maintained. The condition of the traps are terrible. The fairways are becoming weed infested. .i

The shape of the traps is terrible. The fairways are becoming weed infested. . The tee boxes need help. I have played the course for a lot of years but not sure if I will be back. The course maintenance is horrible. Unfortunately I love the Mountain View’s and the track itself. Please spend some money on it and bring it back to its historical standards

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 55
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great round, course is in good shape

Title says it. Had early tee time and range wasn't open, so no warm up. Club house is under some construction. No cart service on course. But you are able to pre order remotely by hole 7 to pick up at the turn. No ball washers, so come prepared with water to rinse clubs and balls during play. Other than that, course played well. Would play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great place to play

The course is in great condition and the staff is great. Par 3s are awesome 👍🏾.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Decent course for the money

Nice course. Nice layout great pace of play. Not crowded. Greens were being aerated which I was not told ahead of time. I would play again.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Over priced

The greens were aeroated four day prior to play no mention of conditions on line during booking or in the pro shop. I enjoy this course and hope to play it again in the future.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Peaceful and fun

I enjoyed this course a lot. Hardly anyone playing so no waiting and you can play 2 balls to get your moneys worth. Some really fun holes here. Great Mountain View’s as your backdrop. Houses are far away from course and all in all is a quiet and peaceful course. What needs some work is the tee boxes are thin on grass. Wild boars are doing damage to some holes but that motivated me to play and support this course. I will probably play this course 1 more time while on vacation. The greens rolled nice 👍

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 40
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Super friendly staff gorgeous golf course absolutely jurassic park feeling, the course is well maintained, the greens is tour quality

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course for the money. Garden Island golf!

Staff was wonderful. Course was fun and challenging. Driving through the jungle over bridges and through the trees. Joined a group of locals and had a wonderful time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 40
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Unbelievable course

Amazing staff you get the tee time with the cart what is including a bucket of rangeball , if you don't have your clubs , no worries you get callaway epic (good condition) + 70$ , awesome food , and a jurassic park vibe guaranteed

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Windy with some rain still fun

The trade winds made a par a good score but still a good time despite a few showers that blew through. Pace of play was not an issue as it was not crowded at all as you would expect. Staff was great Mike gave a couple good pointers to help. The Marshalls let me hang out in the cart barn as a hard rain passed by. Green rolled well and layout is nice . Only downside was some of the traps were hard and needed some work. Looking forward to playing again hopefully less wind and rain and a few more pars.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 40
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Amazing golf course super firm green , perfect maintenance, The tee time price is included the cart , range balls and you can rent golf clubs callaway with regular or stiff shafts......

Jurassic park feeling is guaranteed

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Puakea - Bring your "A" game.

One of my favorite Kauai vacation courses. Fair value. Decent variety of holes. Some are definitely harder than others. I find most of the harder holes on the back nine. Beware of the bermuda grass rough, I don't see much of that on a regular basis and it can wreck your round if you don't know when to take your medicine. Choose the correct club and stay in the short grass!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

One of the leas expensive courses on the island. Beautiful scenery with a couple of ocean peeks..would play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Nearby Courses
Lihue, Hawaii
Resort
4.0861928105
127
Kapaa, Hawaii
Municipal
4.2857142857
14
Koloa, Hawaii
Resort
4.7212052653
198
Koloa, Hawaii
Resort/Semi-Private
4.2665130568
235
Koloa, Hawaii
Private/Resort
3.8333333333
3
Kalaheo, Hawaii
Semi-Private
2.3333333333
5
Princeville, Hawaii
Resort
4.4574007821
114
Golf Packages

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.
The Club at Savannah Harbor

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

CLICK BELOW
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

Princeville Makai Stay & Play Package

Click Below for Pricing*
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.
Princeville Makai Golf Club

Princeville Makai Stay & Play Package

Click Below for Pricing*
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.

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
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.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account