8 Best Golf Courses in Kauai for All Skill Levels
Is Kauai calling your name for a golf getaway? Listen to that siren call and answer with 18 holes of pure paradise!
This Hawaiian island is home to some of the best golfing spots in the world.
From tropical foliage sprawled around immaculate fairways and the Pacific Ocean as a picturesque backdrop – a round of golf at one of Kauai’s courses will be sure to give you an unforgettable experience.
To make sure your trip is as smooth as a hole-in-one, check out these 8 best golf courses in Kauai!
1. Kiahuna Golf Club
When it comes to golfing on Kauai, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a greensome paradise – quite literally! Lushness is the name of the game at Kiahuna Golf Club.
Masterfully designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this course encircles an authentic Hawaiian village. Even if you don’t ace your round, you’ll be surrounded by stunning vistas and a glimpse into the Hawaiian past.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself walking through ancient Polynesian archaeological sites and old structures from the 1800s – golfers never forget to appreciate the culture.
Try not to get too distracted when a Nene Goose or Black-Crowned Night Heron pops up during your round!
Once you’ve wrapped up, spend some time at their golf shop and stock up on all the brand-name items they have to offer.
For lush golfing with a page from history’s book thrown in, Kiahuna Golf Club is the obvious choice!
2. Poipu Bay Golf Course
Players of all levels are given the opportunity to play a round at the highly revered Poipu Bay Golf Course.
The course is situated 150 feet above a dramatic sea cliff and overlooks both cliffs and mountains on either side.
Located next to Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, you might even recognize this course from the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994-2006 (Tiger Woods won an impressive seven times!).
Poipu Bay Golf Course is no stranger to the wild side of Kauai either; its 18-hole championship golf course is unparalleled, with grassy hollows, deep roughs and slopes – enough to satisfy even the itchiest golfers!
Set amidst the windiest parts of the island, it gives advanced golfers just the right amount of challenge.
When your eyes need a break from the dramatic views, you might catch a glimpse of a monk seal passing by or perhaps come across an inquisitive Nene goose.
So if you think yourself a pro, put your tee in Poipu Bay and test your skills against this breathtaking golf course!
3. Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course
Located in Kalaheo and gifted to Kauai by sugar plantation owner Walter McBryde in the early 1900s, Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course is a real find.
With dramatic views of the south and west shores, combined with wallet-friendly fees, this nine-hole wonder has become a hit among savvy locals.
But this course isn’t just fun; it offers a rare window into Hawaiian history.
Set atop a hillside and once the location of an ancient heiau, it’s now also home to a striking Japanese garden and a contemplative meditation pavilion among a eucalyptus forest.
4. Puakea Golf Course
Puakea Golf Course is no ordinary track – it’s a roller coaster of an adventure for golfers.
Offering stunning and mesmerizing views from one hole to the next, the panorama alone will leave you wanting more.
A round at Puakea is sure to be full of excitement as you make your way up and down the deep ravines of this unique course.
Best of all, with affordable green fees, you can experience the thrill without breaking the bank!
Fun fact: Puakea was never completed as intended until 2003, when AOL founder Steve Case offered to fund its completion.
5. The Ocean Course at Hokuala
If you want to hit the green in a setting worthy of Jack Nicklaus himself, look no further than Kauai’s Ocean Course at Hokuala.
Famed for its wild landscapes and stunning views of the Pacific, this 18-hole oceanfront golf course takes you through mango and guava groves, and up dramatic seaside cliffs that soar several hundred feet above sea level.
With its generous fairways winding along a stunning coastal backdrop, this course is sure to be a hole-in-one! After all, it’s the longest-stretching oceanfront golf course in Hawaii.
Golfers also have access to a professional Teaching Center with PGA instructors, so you can turn your dreams of being a playable pro into reality.
6. Princeville Makai Golf Club
Princeville Makai Golf Club is more than just a golf course; it’s an experience.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this 7,233-yard par 72 course has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a course that’s named one of the best in America by Golf Digest!
But out of the 18 holes, it’s the six oceanfront ones that really elevate it above the rest: these cliffside beauties will spark awe unlike any other you can experience on the fairway.
Still not convinced? Just ask about their white silk sand imported from Vietnam, seashore paspalum grass, or even their guided cart tours for those that want the views but don’t want to join in on the fun.
7. Kukui’ula Golf Course
Located on the sunny southern shores of Kauai, Kukui’ula Golf Course is a paradise for golfers with its challenging 18-holes designed by Tom Weiskopf.
Golf Digest has called it one of Hawaii’s best courses, and the 14th hole continues to be a topic of conversation amongst avid golfers.
Not to mention there’s plenty of entertainment for spectators with regular sightings of spinner dolphins and Humpback Whales during the winter months – now that’s an unforgettable view!
8. Wailua Golf Course
Golfers, rejoice! Kauai’s Wailua Golf Course is the perfect place to tee off. With an impressive record that includes playing host to three USGA National Amateur Public Links Championships, it’s a golf course worth bragging about.
Wailua Golf Course has been drawing in golf lovers since its six-hole origins in the 1920s.
Now graced with 18 magnificent holes that run along the oceanfront and wind inland through coconut palm groves, this course stands as one of the finest municipal courses in the world!
A perfect balance of relaxing ambiance with challenging play makes this an ideal spot to spend your afternoon and bask in natural beauty along the way.
