Kauai / Hawaii

The take

Kauai is not a deep golf destination. It is a spectacular island with a few very good golf experiences attached. That distinction matters. If your group wants 36 holes a day and a rankings argument every night, go somewhere with more inventory. If your group wants ocean cliffs, resort comfort, a slower pace, and a handful of memorable rounds, Kauai can be excellent.

Princeville Makai is the anchor: Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s first solo design, renovated in 2010, sitting on the North Shore above Hanalei Bay. It moves through woodlands, lakes, resort corridors, and then suddenly becomes a coastal-photo safari. The 7th is the obvious poster shot, playing across an ocean chasm to a cliff-edge green. It is not subtle. That is also why it works.

Read the full take

Poipu Bay gives the South Shore its golf identity: another RTJ Jr. design, former PGA Grand Slam of Golf host, more exposed to wind, and more practical for sunny Poipu resort trips. Hokuala's Ocean Course near Lihue adds Jack Nicklaus golf and the longest stretch of oceanfront holes in Hawaii. Puakea is the value/support play. Wailua is the muni reality check. The Prince Course remains the complicated ghost: historically important, still not a live planning assumption.

The best version picks a side of the island and keeps golf in proportion. North Shore is more dramatic and weather-variable. South Shore is more reliable for sun and resort convenience. Lihue/Hokuala can help on arrival or departure. Do not treat Kauai like a compact golf campus. It is an island, and the island is in charge.

Best version

Stay North Shore if Makai, Hanalei, and scenery are the priority. Stay South Shore if weather reliability, beaches, and Poipu Bay matter more. Play Makai, Poipu Bay, and Hokuala if the group wants three strong rounds, then use Puakea or Wailua only if you need value or one more casual hit. Kauai is better with breathing room.

Skip if

Golf-only buddies trips needing five serious rounds.
Value-first groups.
Players who get annoyed by weather variability.
Anyone trying to force a tight itinerary across the whole island.

Insider notes

Stay North Shore if Makai, Hanalei, and scenery are the priority.
Stay South Shore if weather reliability, beaches, and Poipu Bay matter more.
Play Makai, Poipu Bay, and Hokuala if the group wants three strong rounds, then use Puakea or Wailua only if you need value or one more casual hit.
Kauai is better with breathing room.

The courses

6 core rounds. Scan first, then click into the course detail when you want the full read.

Full destination course detailsExpand this section for the deeper course reads, then click again to hide it.Expand

#73GD Public

4.3(115)

4080 Lei O Papa Rd, Princeville, HI 96722, USA

(808) 826-1912

Must play

Princeville Makai Golf Club

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Year: 1971; renovated 2010
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,223 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Posted rack rate is $375 with cart, GPS, and range usage; online best-available rates may vary. 2026 aeration dates are April 14-16 and August 18-20.

Makai is the reason most golfers bring clubs to Kauai. It has the views, the setting, and enough golf substance to avoid being only a postcard. The 7th is the famous one for a reason, but the course is better when you let it be a full North Shore experience rather than one cliff-side photo stop.

Strengths

Best Kauai anchor
Ocean holes
Hanalei Bay setting
Mountain backdrop
Strong resort presentation

Weaknesses

Weather variability
Expensive
North Shore location can be a haul from Poipu

Must play

0/5

Signature holes: 3, 7, 13, 14

4.4(417)

2250 Ainako St, Koloa, HI 96756, USA

(808) 742-8711

Strong play

Poipu Bay Golf Course

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Year: 1991
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,123 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: 2026 posted rate is $295 before noon and $245 after noon; second round within 10 days is $200. Cart, GPS, bottled water, practice facility, and Toptracer are included. 2026 aeration closures are April 27-28 and September 21-22.

Poipu Bay is the South Shore golf answer. It may not hit the same visual ceiling as Makai, but it is easier to fit into a sun-and-resort trip and has a real tournament-history hook.

Strengths

Former Grand Slam venue
South Shore weather
Good resort fit
Strong finishing stretch

Weaknesses

Less dramatic than Makai for much of the round
Premium pricing
Resort pace

Strong play

0/5

Signature holes: 15, 16, 17, 18

4.3(136)

3132 Ninini Point St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA

(808) 241-6000

Strong play

Hokuala Ocean Course

Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Year: 1988; renovated/rebranded in later years
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,120 yards
Difficulty: Medium-high
Green fees: Premium resort/public rate; verify current Hokuala pricing. Scheduled 2026 aeration closure is listed for April 14-16.

Hokuala is useful and more dramatic than many people expect. Its best holes are exactly the kind of island golf people came to see, and the Lihue location makes it smarter than it looks on an arrival/departure day.

Strengths

Strong oceanfront stretch
Convenient to LIH
Nicklaus design
Good third-round option

Weaknesses

Not as famous as Makai/Poipu
Pricing
Can be logistically awkward from Princeville

Strong play

0/5

Signature holes: 13, 14, 15, 16

4.3(267)

4150 Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA

(808) 977-3777

Strong play

Puakea Golf Course

Designer: Robin Nelson
Year: 1997; completed as 18 holes in 2003
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 6,954 yards
Difficulty: Medium
Green fees: Posted guest rate is $179; online guest special is $149. Cart and tax are included.

Puakea is the course you add when the resort prices start insulting your intelligence. It is not the prettiest thing on the island, but it has enough land movement and local flavor to justify its spot.

Strengths

Best non-muni value
Dramatic ravines
Convenient Lihue/Kapaa routing
Public access

Weaknesses

Less resort polish
No Makai/Poipu ocean theater
Conditions can matter

Strong value play

0/5

Signature holes: 6, 7, 13, 14

4.5(584)

3-5350 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766, USA

(808) 241-6666

Strong play

Wailua Golf Course

Designer: Toyo Shirai; county municipal course with later updates
Year: 1930s origins; current municipal layout evolved over time
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 6,991 yards
Difficulty: Medium
Green fees: County posted non-resident rates are $80 weekday / $100 weekend-holiday, with twilight at $40 / $50; cart is optional and extra.

Wailua is the reality check. Not luxury, not fancy, and often exactly what a Hawaii golf itinerary needs after two premium resort rounds.

Strengths

Best value on island
Ocean-adjacent holes
Local character
Easy from Lihue/Kapaa

Weaknesses

Not luxury
Conditioning varies
Less polished service

Value play

0/5

Signature holes: 15, 16, 17

4.5(97)

5-3900 Kuhio Hwy, Princeville, HI 96722, USA

(808) 826-5001

Strong play

Prince Course at Princeville

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Year: 1990
Par: 72
Yardage: Approximately 7,300+ yards in historical championship setup
Difficulty: High
Green fees: Closed/status-dependent; do not build around it.

The Prince Course is the "if only" in Kauai golf. It matters historically. It should not matter to your live itinerary until current access is verified.

Strengths

Historic reputation
Dramatic RTJ Jr. design
High ceiling if available

Weaknesses

Closed/status uncertainty
Not currently a standard visitor planning assumption

Do not build around it unless confirmed

0/5

Signature holes: Status-dependent

Full course library

Where to stay, eat, and stray

Lodging

Where to stay

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

This is the splurge if North Shore scenery is the point. The view is ridiculous. The bill usually knows that.

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

The Westin is the practical North Shore group answer. Less glamorous than the top luxury play, more functional for some trips.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Grand Hyatt is the easiest South Shore luxury answer. If the trip includes non-golfers, this is probably the safer base.

Dining

Where groups actually eat

Bar Acuda

This is the North Shore dinner to plan around. Book early or accept that hope is not a reservation system.

AMA

AMA gives the North Shore version of the trip a less formal, more Kauai-feeling dinner.

Tidepools

Tidepools is the easy South Shore resort dinner. Sometimes easy is exactly what the trip needs.

Things to do

Beyond the golf

Napali Coast boat tour.

Hanalei Bay beach day.

Waimea Canyon.

Planning mechanics

Logistics

Flights, driving, walking

Flights

LIH is the commercial gateway. Princeville/North Shore can be 45-60+ minutes in good conditions. Poipu/South Shore is usually easier. Traffic, bridges, rain, and one-lane-road reality can stretch everything.

Ground transportation

Rent a car. Mandatory. Kauai is not a rideshare golf destination. Cross-island drives can push 90-120 minutes during bad timing, weather, or traffic. If you are playing both Makai and Poipu Bay, build the day around the drive rather than acting surprised by it.

Walking

Mostly cart/resort golf. Weather, wind, and course routing matter more than caddie culture.

Weather

When the trip works best

April-October

Best general golf window.

November-March

Wetter, especially North Shore; still playable with flexibility.

South Shore

Generally drier and more reliable.

Planning ranges

Cost and value levers

Princeville Makai

$375 rack rate; online best-available rates may vary - The essential Kauai round.

Poipu Bay

$295 before noon / $245 after noon in 2026 - Best South Shore golf anchor.

Hokuala

Premium resort/public rate - Strong Lihue/oceanfront support.

Itinerary builder

Build your itinerary

The sample on the right is an illustrative Streamsong example.

It is meant to show the depth and shape of a real plan. Build your own around your group, dates, rounds, lodging, dining, and travel timing.

Build my itinerary

Illustrative sample output

Streamsong in 3 Days: 4 Rounds, Mixed Group

3 nights at Streamsong Lodge covering all 3 courses plus a repeat of whichever lands best with the group. With a mixed-skill group and a social thread running through the trip, the sequencing matters: start approachable, build toward bold, and protect evenings for the group to decompress together.

Recommendation

Start with Red to set the right tone for mixed players, not Black. Black's scale can deflate weaker players early and that poisons the rest of the trip.

Day 1

Morning: Arrive, check in to Streamsong Lodge, and get settled without rushing. Arrival timing is unknown, so do not force a same-day round.

Afternoon: If arriving early-to-midday, use the practice facilities to shake off travel; skip forcing an afternoon round on an unknown schedule.

Evening: Make this the nicer dinner night. Gather the group, debrief the plan, and use the evening to build energy for the heavy golf days ahead.

Insider note: Day 1 is the setup day, not a golf day. Burning a round here on travel legs is the most common mistake groups make at Streamsong.

Day 2

Morning: Tee off on Streamsong Red first thing. It is the most balanced course and the right anchor for a mixed-skill group on fresh legs.

Afternoon: Afternoon round on Streamsong Blue. It is more open and wind-affected, which rewards better players while staying manageable enough for the group.

Evening: Keep dinner casual and on property. Two rounds is a full day and the group needs to recover, not power through a production.

Insider note: Red in the morning lets the group settle in before Blue asks harder questions in the afternoon wind.

Day 3

Morning: Play Streamsong Black. Use it as the bold contrast round the guide describes, not as the centerpiece, and set expectations accordingly for higher-handicap players.

Afternoon: Replay the course that resonated most with the group. Red is the likely call for mixed groups, Blue for stronger players who want another look.

Evening: Final evening on property. Keep it relaxed since departure timing is unknown and no one should be grinding through dinner logistics.

Insider note: Black is the experience round, not the best round. Frame it that way for the group before the first tee so no one is quietly disappointed by the rougher edges.

Tradeoffs

Four rounds in two full golf days is aggressive but workable at a comfortable pace. The plan keeps Day 1 golf-free to protect legs and group cohesion rather than chasing a fifth round nobody would enjoy.

Black is scheduled for Day 3 morning rather than being skipped. It adds useful contrast and a memorable moment, but it was deliberately placed after the group already has two courses under its belt rather than as an opener.

The nicer dinner was placed on Day 1 rather than a golf day. This protects energy on the days that matter and gives the group something to build toward without splitting a long golf day around a formal meal.

Book first

Book all four tee times at Streamsong before lodging fills. The property manages its own tee sheet and availability tightens fast in peak season.

Confirm Streamsong Lodge rooms for all three nights in a single block. A small group of 3-4 makes this manageable, but winter weekends can still book out early.

Arrange caddies for at least Red and Blue if the group is open to walking. First-time looks benefit significantly from local knowledge on both courses.

Watchouts

Two rounds on Day 2 is the heaviest ask of the trip. If anyone in the mixed group is a high-handicapper or infrequent player, build in flexibility to skip the afternoon Blue round rather than grinding through it.

Streamsong is genuinely remote and there is no nightlife option off property. Groups expecting energy beyond the lodge bar will be disappointed, and that expectation gap kills trip morale faster than a bad round.

Black's scale and difficulty can frustrate less experienced players, especially after already playing 36 holes the day before. If the group's weakest player struggled on Day 2, consider swapping Black for a Red replay.

LodgingExpand

Kauai lodging is a weather and routing decision. North Shore is more dramatic and closer to Makai. South Shore is sunnier, more convenient for Poipu Bay, and often easier for mixed groups. Lihue/Kapaa is the functional middle, not the dream postcard.

Ultra-luxury North Shore resort

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay

0/5

Best for: Princeville/Makai focus, couples, premium scenery

Cost: Ultra-premium; verify seasonal rates and resort fees.

4.6(1,562)(808) 826-9644

5520 Ka Haku Rd, Princeville, HI 96722, USA

This is the splurge if North Shore scenery is the point. The view is ridiculous. The bill usually knows that.

Pros

Best North Shore luxury base, dramatic Hanalei Bay setting, close to Makai, wellness/resort depth

Cons

Expensive, wetter North Shore, far from Poipu, more sanctuary than buddies-trip HQ

Villa resort

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

0/5

Best for: North Shore families/groups and Makai access

Cost: High; villa format can help groups.

4.3(1,344)(808) 827-8700

3838 Wyllie Road, Hawaii Tax ID # TA, 139 329-5360-01, Princeville, HI 96722, USA

The Westin is the practical North Shore group answer. Less glamorous than the top luxury play, more functional for some trips.

Pros

Studio/one-/two-bedroom villas, kitchens/kitchenettes, North Shore base, practical for longer stays

Cons

Not beach-luxury in the same way as Hanalei Bay, far from Poipu

Luxury South Shore resort

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

0/5

Best for: Poipu Bay, couples, mixed groups, and sunny resort comfort

Cost: High to ultra; peak dates matter.

4.7(4,648)(808) 742-1234

1571 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA

Grand Hyatt is the easiest South Shore luxury answer. If the trip includes non-golfers, this is probably the safer base.

Pros

South Shore weather, beach/resort amenities, close to Poipu Bay, strong non-golf fit

Cons

Long drive to Makai, large resort feel, expensive

Villa / resort

Koloa Landing Resort

0/5

Best for: South Shore groups needing space

Cost: High; villa/unit size drives total.

4.6(1,772)(808) 240-6600

2641 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA

Koloa Landing is a practical group base for Poipu. It helps when the group wants space more than a grand hotel lobby.

Pros

Good group layouts, South Shore location, resort pool scene

Cons

Not directly on the best beach, still requires driving to golf

Poipu condo resort

Kiahuna Plantation

0/5

Best for: Old Hawaii feel, families, value-conscious South Shore stays

Cost: Unit-dependent condo pricing.

4.2(947)(808) 742-6411

2253 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Kiahuna can be smart if you pick the right unit. It can also remind you that "condo resort" is a category with a very wide confidence interval.

Pros

Poipu Beach access, large grounds, classic plantation feel, good South Shore base

Cons

Fragmented management, unit quality varies, not consistently luxury

Simple oceanfront hotel / value base

The ISO

0/5

Best for: Groups exploring both shores and controlling lodging cost

Cost: Mid-tier relative to Kauai resort pricing.

The ISO is not pretending to be 1 Hotel. Good. Use it when the group wants a practical base and plans to drive around the island anyway.

Pros

Kapaa location, central-ish routing, lower cost, simple oceanfront setup

Cons

Not a luxury resort, no golf access advantage, limited on-site polish

Luxury residence resort

0/5

Best for: Polished Poipu dinner

4.4(633)(323) 380-7148

1155 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA

Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM