The golf courses found on Kaua'i are so special that I won't try to list them...but rather to describe them starting on the north side of the island, going east, then back west at the south side of Kaua'i. Which ones do I recommend? All of them...but some have some special features.
Ranked seventh in the nation and first in Hawaii, the Prince provides a bit of spice for those who want a challenging (and extremely beautiful) course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. On the North side, near Princeville.
Not quite as challenging, but almost as beautiful, the Makai Course is also near Princeville. It's also been ranked in the top 100 US courses for the 16 years.
OK, it's a public course, I'll grant you that. It was also rated as the number two public course in the nation last year (Golf Digest) and hosted the US Open Public Links Championship tournament (last year). Ocean front, and you can walk this popular course, if you'd rather.
Nestled between the airport and the Mariott Hotel, the Lagoons has two courses, designed by Jack Nicholas. Also rated in the top 100 courses by Golf Digest.
The whole world knows about the Poipu Bay Club, right? The place where the Mastercard PGA Grand Slam of Golf is played? That's the tournament where the only four players who can enter are the ones who have won the four major PGA tournaments from this year. YOU can play that course...but don't get too distracted by the view of the ocean alongside...
Golf among ancient Hawaiian stoneworks, lava tubes, and other wonders. What can I say about it? It was the first 18 hole course that I ever played, and is still one of my all-time favorites. I even like their practice range with both chipping and putting greens. But you might expect that in a course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
I know, I know, I said that there were seven championship 18 hole courses on Kaua'i, and this is the eighth course. That's because the public Kukuiolono Park course is only 9 holes. But what a nine holes! The mountain to ocean views from the top of the hill (and most of the course) are spectacular. And I really like it as a practice course, because, the fee is $7.00 (if you walk it)...not just for 9 holes, but for as many holes as you can play in a day! And Kukiolono has no water hazards to eat your golf balls. But watch out for the canyon.
