Hokuala, a Timbers Resort (Kauai)

The publicly accessible resort course by Jack Nicklaus has shrunk from 36 to 18 holes over the years, but what's left is fantastic: a jungle-infested front nine followed by a back nine with the longest stretch of ocean holes in the islands. The blue horizon crashes into the blue surf of the Pacific beyond the 13th green, introducing stunning views that don't disappear until the 18th. There are some design quirks along the way - an extremely tilted fairway that's blind off the 15th tee and a 160-yard layup on the 331-yard 16th - but most golfers come away from the experience with the views of two different oceanfront lighthouses dancing in their heads not the rough patches on the scorecard.

Spectacular on the back with great views however only four holes with truly Ocean views. Some very easy holes on the front coupled with very challenging holes on the back 9. In the middle of constructing a new clubhouse. Over priced in my opinion. should be $150-$199

I love this course and overall we had a great round of golf. The staff is very friendly and the weather was perfect. The only complaint I can say is I wish we were told at the time of booking the course - the greens were just aerated. The greens were slow and choppy. because of this they discounted the round slightly.

Very nice course. Wish they had a true senior's tee. Construction aroud the course which made a lengthy trip from the parking area to the club house. Really enjoyed the holes along the water

Even if the golf course was not extremely fun to play, the views make this an extraordinary experience. Love this place

The views are almost a memorable as “Uncle Ricky” great time and friendly staff!

This course is tougher then Poipu which is more open

Staff was nice

Although I had the “first” tee time … multiple groups of course members played ahead at a fairly slow pace

Some amazing views on back nine

Did not give me a towel to clean clubs

Expensive but a once in a while splurge mainly for the incredible views

I could not recommend this course highly enough. The course was excellent, and the staff was incredibly accommodating. Even though the clubhouse was under repair and the services were limited, they provided us with the golf cart to go to a restaurant on the ground. When we were finished eating and preparing to head back to our cruise ship, we asked the general manager where we could catch an Uber and he said you don’t need an Uber, I’ll drive you back to the ship. He personally brought us back to the ship and told us some of the history of the course and the design By Jack Nicholas. I cannot express how accommodating everyone was and how much we love the course.

This was a $100 course at best, not $250+

Takes advantage of tourism (of course). Temporary ‘clubhouse’ is probably the worst setup I have ever seen in 35 years of golfing. Course layout is decent but not premium by any means.

Good experience, pace of play was slow. Good I found discounted rate on GolfNow as it’s not worth the full $300 rate to play. Bunkers were ground under repair, which is interesting for a $300 rate?

Might be a top 3 Hawaii course for me. Front 9 is inland but fun and interesting with green canyons in the background. Back 9 has some amazing ocean holes, including the happy Gilmore hole. Staff is friendly and so are the players - some random guy bought me a logo ball in the pro shop and I was even gifted a free course towel by the staff. Def will be playing this course again whenever I return, greens were fast and tricky and it's challenging, esp with the winds. Go up a club or two in the back!

Course was very well maintained, and a fine layout to enjoy both the views and golf

We played on May 3rd and had a horrible experience-- enough so, I called and complained. We were offered a comp'd round as a chamce to make up for the crappy treatment (May 8th) and this 2nd experience WAS MUCH BETTER. The first time they were busy and "owners" were their priority -- I don't know, if I pay to play I expect to be treated the way one is treated on a RESORT course and not as a 2nd class citizen. The 2nd round WAS a feeling of Ohana -- what I DID expect after my complaint. Unfortunately, the club house and put buildings (snack shack) is worn out, the staff is obviously overworked and beat up, and the course was in OK shape, but NOT the standard I'd expect of a $250+ course in Kauai.

Several holes with great views (all on the back nine). Most are nothing special. Would play again only if it was $50+ less. When i arrived i was told all bunkers were to be played as ground under repair because of maintenance. But that was clearly not really the case. Staff was helpful. Prices in the snack shop were flat out crazy.

The Ocean Course at Hokuala was without a doubt the best golf experience I have ever had! The front 9 is like playing golf at Jurassic Park, and the back 9 is an ocean front experience I will never forget!

Come ready to chill and enjoy island time. And whatever you do, take advantage of spending some quality time with the legendary starter Uncle Ricky… he will tell you stories, tips for the course and make you feel like family!