Kauai
Puakea Golf Course
Inland public / volcanic ravines
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.
Course gallery
3 photos
The take
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.
Best for
Value, central-island routing, and a real public-course alternative
Watch out
It is not the oceanfront trophy round
How to play it
Strong value play
Course intelligence
What you need to know
Strengths
- Best non-muni value
- Dramatic ravines
- Convenient Lihue/Kapaa routing
- Public access
Watch-outs
- Less resort polish
- No Makai/Poipu ocean theater
- Conditions can matter
Signature holes
6, 7, 13, 14
Book it right
Cost, access, and timing
Green fees
Posted guest rate is $179; online guest special is $149.
Best season
April-October: Best general golf window.
Caddies / walking
Mostly cart/resort golf.
Replay priority
Medium
Booking move
Pick North Shore or South Shore first, then book Makai/Poipu/Hokuala around that base.
Weather read
Pick the right window.
April-October: Best general golf window.
Jan
72F / 50F
Sun Best; rain Low
Feb
75F / 53F
Sun Best; rain Low
Mar
79F / 57F
Sun Good; rain Medium
Apr
84F / 62F
Sun Good; rain Medium
May
89F / 68F
Sun Hot; rain High
Jun
92F / 73F
Sun Hot; rain High
Google review
2/5 - 4 months ago
The course is really pretty, but my experience there was frustrating. I was wearing an athletic top (not a polo) and was told I had to wear a polo to play, which was fine since that’s the dress code. But I was required to buy a $70 polo from the pro shop just to be able to play,
The course is really pretty, but my experience there was frustrating. I was wearing an athletic top (not a polo) and was told I had to wear a polo to play, which was fine since that’s the dress code. But I was required to buy a $70 polo from the pro shop just to be able to play,
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Google review
4/5 - a year ago
This is a pretty nice golf course, I enjoyed playing here a lot. It's not an easy course, but with some course management and knowing your misses, you can get around just fine. There are houses that are just adjacent to the course, but the course is not super narrow. During my vi
This is a pretty nice golf course, I enjoyed playing here a lot. It's not an easy course, but with some course management and knowing your misses, you can get around just fine. There are houses that are just adjacent to the course, but the course is not super narrow. During my vi
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Google review
5/5 - 4 months ago
Nice course with incredible views. A bit pricey for not being on the water but amazing hospitality.
Nice course with incredible views. A bit pricey for not being on the water but amazing hospitality.
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What should you do next?
Use Puakea Golf Course as one piece of the Kauai trip. Build the routing, compare the destination, or ask how it fits your group.
Keep exploring Kauai
Other courses in the same trip.
Must play
Princeville Makai Golf Club
Makai is the reason most golfers bring clubs to Kauai.
Strong play
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Poipu Bay is the South Shore golf answer.
Strong play
Hokuala Ocean Course
Hokuala is useful and more dramatic than many people expect.
Strong play
Wailua Golf Course
Wailua is the reality check.
Strong play
Prince Course at Princeville
The Prince Course is the "if only" in Kauai golf.
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