Puakea Golf Course

My husband and I had not played this course since 2017, since after that it was closed and then, when reopened, was 3 to 4 times the price (now $179). After reading some of the reviews, we were hesitant to book, but we have great memories of this course, and decided to give it a try after finding an online price of $129. The scenery and great views are still there to enjoy and every hole is unique (awesome par 3 #6). Range balls are included and the practice areas are great. We found all the staff members welcoming and helpful. Once on the course, the bunkers don't seem to be maintained at all, and there are several other areas which need some work. Although we enjoyed our round, we still thought the green fee was too high for the conditions of the course.

I love this course! It’s beautiful with challenging and interesting holes. It winds through beautiful wooded areas as well as wide open fairways with stunning mountain vistas. The staff is very courteous and helpful. I’ll definitely come back to play here!

The only shortcoming is that the grill has a very wide variety of offerings but ordering- even from the 8th hole- is a chore. After scanning the QR code on the cart you then have to create an account to submit an order. A bit cumbersome when you are trying to focus on playing. If you don’t do this and think your order is complete it’s not.

Any hot food - hot dog, BLT, or anything requires cooking means a 20 minute wait at the turn if not ordered ahead.

Otherwise a fabulous place. Just bring some snacks if you don’t want to eat there.

The course and layout is beautiful as long as you hit it in the fairway and on the green all day. Should you veer off the preferred route the bunkers and rough are unmaintained.

All good if you keep it on the fairway and greens. Bunkers and rough are a little unkept. Beautiful layout and views.

The course is a little rough. It looks like they are cutting back on maintenance...or it is winter!

I respect the dress code...but I showed up unprepared. I was reminded that collared shirts are required. I get it and respect it. I just failed to pack correctly. The odd part was that the staff in the pro shop and restaurant did not seem to be following the dress code.

The course has some rough spots. It looks like they have been cutting back on maintenance.

The sand traps need some work and some of the fair way need attention and tee boxes areas need a lot of attention.And the green needs more consistent speed !

The course was beautiful and fairly challenging so definitely worth experiencing.

The staff were not very friendly or helpful.

The restaurant is super slow (though food was tasty). Give yourself an extra hour before tee time if you want to order food. There was no drink carts coming around either.

Of course any day golfing is a good day but on vacation in Kawai you can not have a better time. Sun was shining and the course was beautiful.

I've been playing Puakea pretty much exclusively for on my numerous trips to Kauai. Costco had offered passes for $100.00 US for 2 green fees prior to the pandemic. EXCELLENT VALUE. My Canadian wallet really appreciated the price due to our lousy exchange rate. The course then shut down for 2 years during the pandemic. I eagerly anticipated playing there again once it re-opened. Well, it did re-open to green fees of $188.00 US, but you could get a DEAL at only $119.00 US all day long. They don't even offer Twilight rates. You pay full price no matter when you tee off. All of a sudden it's not a great deal anymore. Not even a good deal. I called the pro shop prior to my most recent trip to Kauai in Oct 2023 and told them that I would be on the island for 3 weeks and would be playing at least 12 rounds. I told them I would use my hard earned Canadian money to play Puakea exclusively while I was there if I could get a bit of a deal for that many rounds. Not even a penny discount was offered. As a result I played my 12 rounds on Kauai, but only a couple of times at Puakea. The course is not so busy that they should be able to ignore that many guaranteed green fees. I've played there numerous times in the morning at 7:00 am and completed my entire round of golf by 9:30 taking my time. The starter would tell me that nobody has gone out since I teed off. The pro shop staff would tell me that they're quite busy that day with 30 players going out today. My course sends that many golfers out in an hour at my home course. I think they need to re-think their business plan to include non-residents and their exchange rates. .

Excellent course. Not crowded at all. That’s kind of confusing on the back nine trying to find holes. Otherwise a great question play.

Four Texas Golfers who play a lot at home. Older guys from 70 to 82. We each felt good about playing this course. And would play it again. But we leave now to go to Waikoloa on The Big Island. Wonderful golf awaits us there

Overall decent course, but better options on the island including the municipal course. Pro shop staff was friendly, but after checking in early and hitting balls at the range we were approached by another staff member and told we didn’t comply with the dress code. Since we were extremely early one member of our party drove back to the hotel to change. Although I was told I was ok for the day, the member came back again to continue to comment on my top. It was a very odd interaction and start to the day. My error for not seeing the requirement, but the attitude from the staff member was unfortunate. Definitely wouldn’t head back to play.

Course was in great shape with a very playable design. Good location of water features and fairway bunkers. Pace of play was great, only ran into 1 other group on the back and they let us play through. Would definitely play again on our next visit to the island.

This used to be one of the better courses on Kauai. Not sure what happened but course is in bad bad shape. Grass growing in the bunkers, fairways and tee boxes in bad shape too. Greens, however, were really nice. No beverage cart. No towels to clean your clubs. Staff shrugged their shoulders when asked what happened. Customer service is gone. Used to be my favorite course on Kauai. Go to Wailua instead.

My husband & I have played this course numerous times on our visits to Kauai over the last 15 years. Prior to this it was 2019 and before Covid. An 18 hole round that cost us $65 pp then now cost us each $179.00!. The tee boxes need work,there us no sand in the sand traps(only red dirt) and the wild boars have torn up the fairways. No bathrooms on the back nine due to the construction of new houses. The bathroom on the front nine was filthy. For what used to be (and still could be) a beautiful course we were very disappointed all in all.

Have played this course many times over the years. In the past it was a good value. Since Covid and perhaps different management the course is NOT a positive experience. The back nine is riddled with ruts from Javelins (wild boars). The manager, Diego, is a little despot ordering staff like a little dictator. The green fees are extreme trying to recover the lost revenue from Covid..This course needs to be more user friendly and get “Real” about it’s rates and services.