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Rating Index Rating
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4.3
459 Reviews (459)
5 Stars
179
4 Stars
205
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
93.2%
Recommend this course
425 out of 459 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.3
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
95.5%
Recommend this course
21 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.4
44 Reviews (44)
5 Stars
25
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
4.4
Value
4.4
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.5%
Recommend this course
42 out of 44 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
459 Reviews (459)

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 4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Previously Played

What happened to Puakea?

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.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Previously Played

Not the same course

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.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Poor value/ overpriced

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.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Lots of Potential

Nice layout, needs a lot of work. The greens were nice. I would check it out again when we come back. They are trying to improve the course.

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

Not sure what all the hate is for

I played this course on my honeymoon and I was very pleased with the whole experience. A lot of the complaints for this course are that there was construction for the housing developments nearby--this does not affect the experience of playing this course whatsoever (unless you get offended by seeing construction while you are driving your cart to the next hole), the course is still gorgeous. You do not have to worry about the coastal winds as opposed to other courses on the island so I would highly recommend playing this track.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Pretty easy

Very flat, fair amount of damage from nearby construction. Prettiest hole was #4

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course

Very nice layout with plenty of challenges yet fair with beautiful scenery everywhere. Staff is very friendly and helpful with any needs.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Trying to Come Back

I've already reviewed this course once. Poor, poor condition after being closed and changing management. No way they should charge the current rate until it is in better shape and housing development finished on the back nine. There are better values locally...

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 57
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Up and running

After being closed so long during pandemic the course is back as beautiful and challenging as ever

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Price

Way overpriced for the course. It was 49 dollars in 2019

Now price is $139 to $179.

Would not recommand

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

A Favorite But...

Been coming to Kauai for 25 years and have played this course many times. With the run down condition newly aerated greens and construction on most of the back nine, there is NO WAY you should be charging what you do...comp me a round next year when we come back and keep working on the reworking of one of our favorite courses...you have a long way to go!

My user name is not AGFraz...try docofoz

Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Course Recovering

Puakea is one of our go to courses on Kauai. Upon arrival, we learned that the course had been temporarily closed due to Covid and staffing was still very limited. Maintenance of the course suffered. To make matters worse the greens were still very sandy and recovering from aeration. Given the course conditions, the rate should have been discounted. Very disappointed this time.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 59
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

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