Kauai golf course with dramatic cliffs and ocean views

Kauaʻi Golf Courses

Golfing in the Garden of Eden

Leilani Ako, local golf expert

Written by a Local Golf Expert

Leilani Ako

Golf in Paradise's Garden

They call Kauaʻi the Garden Isle for a reason. Here, the ʻāina feels ancient, powerful, and overwhelmingly green. The golf courses are carved from this raw beauty, winding through tropical jungles, along dramatic ocean cliffs, and past sacred sites that whisper stories of the past.

A round here is an immersion, a sensory overload in the best possible way. There are nine courses across seven locations on the island, each offering a unique conversation with Kauaʻi's magnificent natural landscape.

Kauaʻi golf is an awakening of the senses. Every course is carved from the island's raw natural beauty, creating unforgettable rounds through tropical paradise.

Kauai golf course with dramatic cliffs and tropical beauty

Premier Kauaʻi Golf Courses

Poʻipū Bay Golf Course

Resort $$$$ South Shore

The Vibe: A windswept, sun-kissed coastal classic on the island's southern shore. This is a course with a champion's pedigree, having hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006, welcoming greats like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Designer: A stunning creation by the master of dramatic golf landscapes, Robert Trent Jones Jr., who seamlessly integrated the course with Hawaiian history and culture.

Cultural Heritage: Laid out over 210 oceanfront acres, the course incorporates several ancient heiau (sacred temple sites) and handmade stone walls dating back over 500 years. These areas are protected cultural treasures, and golfers are asked to respect them as windows into Kauaʻi's past.

Wildlife & Nature:

The course is also a wildlife sanctuary, with players frequently encountering native Nene geese, green sea turtles, and even humpback whales offshore during the winter months.

Premium Amenities
  • • Interactive GPS cart systems
  • • Private and group Trackman lessons
  • • Kauai Poke restaurant on 18th green
  • • Top-notch practice facilities
Flexible Packages
  • • Standard: $279 before noon
  • • Afternoon: $235 after noon
  • • Multi-round packages available
  • • "Ocean 11" special (holes 8-18)

The Ocean Course at Hōkūala

Resort $$$$ Līhuʻe

The Vibe: A dramatic, cliffside journey that culminates in the longest continuous stretch of oceanfront golf in all of Hawaiʻi. It's a breathtaking experience that has earned it a spot on MSN Travel's list of the world's 12 most beautiful courses.

Designer: This is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, recently renovated to meet the Golden Bear's exacting standards and vision for strategic golf.

The Journey: The course takes you on a journey. It begins inland, winding its way through lush mango and guava groves, before emerging for a spectacular and challenging finish along dramatic seaside cliffs that tower above the Pacific.

Signature Hole:

The drivable par-4 16th is highlighted by Nicklaus himself as a standout. It's a classic risk-reward hole that tempts long hitters to go for the green, but severely punishes a miss. The smart play is often a hybrid or long iron, leaving a wedge into the green.

Resort Amenities
  • • Timbers Kauaʻi resort privileges
  • • PGA professional instruction
  • • Twilight Scrambles and special events
  • • FootGolf alternative experience
  • • Mobile app with GPS and discounts

Kauaʻi Golf at a Glance

The Ocean Course at Hōkūala

Līhuʻe • Resort • $$$$ • Longest oceanfront stretch

Poʻipū Bay Golf Course

South Shore • Resort • $$$$ • Pro tournament pedigree

Princeville Makai Golf Club

North Shore • Resort • $$$$ • Majestic mountain views

Puakea Golf Course

Līhuʻe • Public • $$ • Tropical ravines

Wailua Golf Course

East Side • Municipal • $ • Beloved classic

Kiahuna Golf Club

South Shore • Public • $$ • Bird sanctuary

ℹ️ Kauaʻi Golf Facts

  • Total Courses: 9 courses
  • Famous For: Garden beauty
  • Historic Sites: Ancient heiau
  • Wildlife: Nene geese, sea turtles
  • Best Feature: Longest ocean stretch

🌧️ Kauaʻi Weather Notes

  • Wettest of the main islands
  • East/North shores get more rain
  • South shore generally drier
  • Summer months are best

🌿 Garden Isle Golf

  • Dramatic cliff-side holes
  • Ancient Hawaiian cultural sites
  • Lush tropical landscapes
  • Wildlife sanctuary settings
  • Most scenic ocean views