Puakea Golf Course: A fun ride right off the plane on Kauai, Hawaii

LIHUE, Hawaii -- Just minutes from the airport, Puakea Golf Course is not only a local favorite, but a great value choice for your first or last round on any Kauai golf trip.

Designed by Robin Nelson, the course traverses up and down ravines with plenty of water, sand and mountain views to keep your interest all day long. Playing nearly 7,000 yards from the back tees, there's more than enough challenge for good players while three more sets of tees provide a fair test for all levels.

Puakea's signature holes include the par-3 sixth, where the green is about 100 feet below the tee just on the other side of a pond, and the par-4 12th that works down and around a large tree and lake to the right. Excellent practice facilities that include a fully grassed driving range and a terrific restaurant that draws a large non-golf crowd round out the experience.