Top Kauai Golf Courses: A Guide to the Best Fairways on the Island
Every Scenic—and Surprising—Course on Hawaii’s Garden Isle
By Bill Irwin
Hawaii is always an excellent choice for a golf trip, but none of the main islands delivers the wow factor quite like Kauai. Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai is one of the most awesome islands in America. It brings mesmerizing magic with its jaw-dropping cliffs, lush tropical landscapes, and laid-back aloha spirit. Here, oceanfront golf is only the beginning—you’ll also find sweeping vistas of the island’s iconic pali: rugged, jungle-covered cliffs that rise dramatically from the shoreline. Compared to Maui or Oahu, Kauai feels quieter, less commercialized, and far more connected to nature.
There may be only seven courses on this 25-by-33-mile island, but quality over quantity rules the day on Kauai. Two standouts—The Ocean Course at Hokuala and Princeville Makai Golf Club—consistently rank among Hawaii’s best. Poipu Bay Golf Course adds PGA Tour history, having hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for over a decade. The rest of the lineup may fly under the radar, but each offers its own unique charm and local character. Plus, with Kauai’s wide range of price points, there are golf experiences to fit any budget.
Before we break down Kauai’s golf courses, here’s what you should know: this island is basically golf heaven year-round, but fall is clutch—lower prices, fewer crowds, weather still dialed in. Every part of Kauai has its own vibe (microclimates are real), but April to October is sunniest, especially up on the North Shore. Just watch out for winter rain. Want sunny and dry in winter? Poipu on the South Shore is a lock. And yup, the east and west sides of the island stay pretty chill all year.
One heads-up: book early! Nonstop flights to Lihue Airport (LIH) fill up fast during peak seasons (holidays and winter), and rental cars can be surprisingly scarce if you wait too long. The good news? Once you’re on island time, most courses are relatively close to one another—and even the drive from Princeville on the North Shore to Poipu on the South Shore takes just a little over an hour when traffic is light. No matter where you stay, hopping between layouts is totally doable.
Kauai’s Seven Golf Courses:
Scenic Stars
Princeville Makai Golf Club
For years, the now-closed Prince Course at Princeville—perched above Hanalei Bay near the iconic Bali Hai headland—was the poster child for world-class golf on Kauai. While that famously tough, jungle-laced layout is no longer in play, its older sibling, Princeville Makai Golf Club, is still going strong—and arguably more fun than the Prince Course ever was. It’s also a fixture on the Golf Digest Top 100 American Public Course list.
Opened in 1971, the Makai Course was the first solo design by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the architect most closely tied to Kauai golf. Revamped in 2010, the course features six oceanfront holes, dramatic cliffside panoramas, and nonstop postcard views of Hanalei Bay, Bali Hai, and the island’s rugged peaks. The par-3 7th, which plays from high above crashing waves to a cliff-hugging green, is a legit bucket-list hole. Not far behind is the 3rd—a dramatic drop-shot par 3 that cuts into the jungle.
Compared to the more punishing Prince Course, Makai is far more playable for the average golfer. A recent renovation improved the bunkers, turf, and drainage, and the practice facilities are excellent. There’s also a scenic post-round lanai where you can soak in the views. Yes, it’s one of Hawaii’s priciest public layouts—but nearly everyone who tees it up agrees: it’s worth the splurge.
The Ocean Course at Hokuala
Another strong contender for Kauai’s most scenic round is The Ocean Course at Hokuala, located on the island’s southeastern coastline near Kalapaki Beach and just minutes from Lihue Airport. Formerly known as Kauai Lagoons, this Jack Nicklaus Signature design offers the longest stretch of oceanside golf in Hawaii—over half a mile of pure seaside drama.
Hokuala plays like a tale of two nines. The front side heads inland, winding through dense jungle and groves of mango and guava trees. It’s tight, technical, and full of sneaky drop-offs that love eating golf balls. The back nine? Total coastal bliss. It hugs the Pacific and brings the real fireworks. Highlights include the stunning cliffside par-3 14th and the drivable, risk-reward par-4 16th, which skirts a lighthouse.
A 2017 redesign—part of the course’s rebranding—boosted both conditioning and playability. While Hokuala is one of Kauai’s more expensive tee times, you can often score a deal depending on the season or time of day. Either way, it’s a golf experience you don’t want to miss.
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Yet another standout from Robert Trent Jones Jr., Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai’s sunny, arid South Shore blends dramatic ocean views with serious tournament pedigree. When you play here, you’re literally walking in the footsteps of legends. With six oceanfront holes and postcard conditions, it hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for over a decade. While Greg Norman, Ernie Els, and Phil Mickelson each won it once, Tiger Woods copped the trophy seven times—including five in a row from 1998 to 2002.
Framed by palm trees and cooled by swirling trade winds, Poipu Bay offers an unforgettable experience. The setting includes native Hawaiian archaeological sites and a cliffside stretch near Shipwreck Beach that cranks the visual drama. Both nines finish strong, but the back nine raises the stakes with elevation shifts and risk-reward holes along the cliffs. The par-4s are gorgeous and strategic, and the 17th—a ravine-crossing par-3 with the ocean tight left—is pure adrenaline. When the wind’s up, the course can play much longer than it looks.
Poipu Bay Golf Course sits right next to the Grand Hyatt Kauai and is known for its superb turf conditions. The paspalum turf feels great underfoot, and the GPS-equipped carts help with strategy. With standout weather, sleek amenities, and laid-back island energy, Poipu Bay delivers a polished golf experience with a luxury-level price tag.
Hidden Gems
Wailua Municipal Golf Course
It might not have the glitz of Kauai’s resort tracks, but Wailua Municipal Golf Course will absolutely charm you—and might even blow you away. How good is it? Good enough to have hosted the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship three times.
Wailua consistently ranks among Hawaii’s top 20 courses and sits in the top 1% of all U.S. municipal tracks. GolfPass managing editor Jason Scott Deegan once called it “dollar for dollar, the best golf course I’ve ever played.”
The course dates back to the 1930s, originally opening as a nine-hole Toyo Shirai creation before expanding to 18 in 1961. It officially features four ocean holes, but nearly every fairway delivers some combo of ocean, surf, beach, or mountain backdrop. The par-5 opener is a certified show stopper—and arguably one of the best first holes anywhere. The full layout gets praise for its variety, challenge, and unfiltered natural beauty.
No frills here. Wailua Golf Course is laid-back, unpretentious and humble, and proudly local. Just three miles from Lihue Airport, it’s a perfect place for island guests to kick off their golf trip—or make a last stop before heading home.
Puakea Golf Course
Located just 10 minutes from Lihue Airport and the Ocean Course at Hokuala, Puakea Golf Course delivers a very different vibe than its tonier neighbor. Set at the base of Mount Haupu, this Robin Nelson design stretches across a former sugar plantation, weaving through deep ravines, volcanic cliffs, and dense tropical foliage. Expect sweeping mountain views—and the occasional ocean glimpse.
The dramatic back nine cuts through serious jungle terrain—so much so that it sparked (false) rumors that Jurassic Park scenes were filmed here. The most memorable hole might be the par-3 6th: a vertigo-inducing drop shot over water to a green that tilts toward the trouble.
Puakea offers plenty of elevation changes, and while trade winds can still test you, it’s usually calmer than Hokuala thanks to Mount Haupu’s protection. The routing is strong, with diverse hole designs and consistently interesting shot values.
Island Originals
Kiahuna Golf Club
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Kiahuna Golf Club sits on Kauai’s South Shore in Poipu, just minutes from Poipu Bay Golf Course. While it doesn’t offer sweeping ocean views—just glimpses from numerous holes—it makes up for it with unique natural and cultural features. One standout: a massive cave that’s entirely in play (but strictly off-limits to enter), serving as a protected habitat for the rare Kauai cave wolf spider. You’ll also pass lava rock walls, plantation-era irrigation remnants, the remains of one of the island’s oldest Portuguese homes, and an ancient heiau (a sacred Hawaiian site).
This par-70 layout is known for its rolling terrain, narrow fairways, and small greens. It’s walkable, exposed to ocean breezes, and welcoming to all skill levels. Bonus advantage: the birdlife here is next-level—you might spot a nēnē (Hawaii’s endangered state bird), along with black-crowned night herons, Hawaiian stilts, and moorhens.
With a relaxed island vibe, a slower pace than Kauai’s resort courses, and excellent value tee times, Kiahuna is a solid addition to any golf trip. Its mix of history, nature, and thoughtful design makes it quietly memorable.
Kukuiolono Golf Course
If you’re craving a taste of authentic Kauai and have zero illusions about playing one of the island’s premier layouts, Kukuiolono is your spot. This quirky nine-hole gem exists in a world of its own—far removed from the resort scene and commercial polish of Kauai’s other golf offerings.
Opened in 1928, Kukuiolono, by designer Toyo Shirai, is the oldest course on the island. Set into a hillside above the town of Kalaheo, its regulation-length holes can offer a real challenge on a windy day. With wide fairways, walkable terrain, and minimal hazards, it’s also ideal for beginners, families, and laid-back rounds.
Kukuiolono might be modest and simple (at best) around the edges, but the views are anything but. You’ll take in sweeping panoramas of the ocean, mountains, and the dreamy south and west shorelines of Kauai. At times, the scenery is straight-up breathtaking.
That said, Kukuiolono is about as casual, relaxed, unpolished, and inexpensive as golf gets. As of this writing, the $16 walking green fee covers all-day play (carts are extra). Bring cash—there are no credit cards, no tee times, and no dress code. Just show up and go. And don’t be shocked if someone’s out there playing barefoot.
Adding to the charm, Kukuiolono sits within a public park that includes an enchanting Japanese garden, Hawaiian lava rock artifacts, and a bluff-top viewpoint with some of the island’s most incredible scenery. On a lucky day, you might even spot a pod of whales offshore.
No, Kukuiolono isn’t a great course—or even a well-kept one. But it might just give you one of the most memorable—and genuinely Hawaiian—golf experiences on the island.
A Final Kauai Aloha
Whether you’re chasing big ocean views, dramatic cliffside par 3s, or a chill round with barefoot locals, Kauai’s golf scene delivers. The island treats its guests to a rare mix of beauty, variety, and personality—all wrapped in lush landscapes and rich culture. The Garden Isle might just be the most rewarding golf escape in all of Hawaii. Just don’t forget to book your tee times—and your rental car—early.