Puakea Golf Course

4150 Nuhou Street
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Kauai County

Phone(s): (808) 977-3777

Tee times from $56 Tee times in this area

A view of hole #12 and #13 play at Puakea Golf Course.

A view of the driving range at Puakea Golf Course.

A view from the left side of fairway #17 at Puakea Golf Course.

The par-4 12th is one of many fabulous holes on Puakea Golf Course's back nine.

The par-4 17th at Puakea Golf Course has a fine backdrop of the Kauai mountains.

Puakea Golf Course on Kauai, Hawaii, is in the shadow of mountains.

The par-4 third hole plays 407 yards to a green over water at Puakea Golf Course.

Like all of Kauai's golf courses, wind can play a huge factor on Puakea Golf Course.

The par-3 sixth hole at Puakea Golf Course shoots straight downhill.

The par-5 11th hole's green at Puakea Golf Course is guarded by trees and a hillside on the right.

The back nine at Puakea Golf Course consists of holes mostly from the original routing built around the time of Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

The par-3 13th at Puakea Golf Course plays through trees before opening up to an elevated green protected by water.

Puakea Golf Course is designed by Hawaii native Robin Nelson.

The par-4 17th green at Puakea Golf Course.

Puakea Golf Club's par-4 third hole is short and plays towards the mountain.

Puakea Golf Club's par-3 sixth hole plays from an elevated green down to a green guarded by water.

The par-4 seventh is the toughest of the holes on the front nine at Puakea Golf Club as it plays into the tradewinds.

The par-5 eighth hole at Puakea Golf Club features a collection of bunkers on the right side and in front of the green.

Puakea Golf Club's par-5 11th hole plays straight out towards the ocean.

Puakea Golf Club's par-4 12th hole is guarded on the right by water.

Puakea Golf Club's 13th and 14th greens are both guarded by the same pond.

Puakea Golf Club's par-3 13th hole is a demanding shot to a green guarded by water on the right.

Puakea Golf Club's par-4 15th hole plays with the tradewinds at your back.

The 16th hole is the shortest of the par 3s at Puakea Golf Club.

The dogleg left 17th hole at Puakea Golf Club plays back towards the mountains.

The 17th hole on Puakea Golf Course is a long par 4 that plays with some wind at your back.

The third hole on Puakea Golf Course is a short par 4 defended by water.

The first real standout hole on Puakea Golf Course is the par-3 sixth, which plays sharply downhill over water.

Puakea Golf Course attracts a mix of locals and visitors to either play golf or just use the driving range.

The par-5 11th at Puakea Golf Course plays out towards the ocean.

Robin Nelson designed Puakea Golf Course, which calls on the golfer to always pay attention to the trade winds.

Puakea Golf Course's par-4 12th features a well protected green.

The par-3 13th hole at Puakea Golf Course is as long as 225 yards.

Puakea Golf Course's downwind, par-4 14th hole has a slightly elevated green.

Puakea Golf Course has a clubhouse with a full pro shop, restaurant and bar.

The sixth hole at Puakea Golf Course drops off a ridge to a green below.

Water is a menace on the third hole of the Puakea Golf Course on Kauai.

The par-4 fifth hole at Puakea Golf Course doglegs around water.

The 11th green at Puakea Golf Course features some nice mountain views.

The setting around the par-3 13th hole at Puakea Golf Course is sublime.

The 12th hole at Puakea Golf Course plays shorter than the yardage.

The 16th hole at Puakea Golf Course plays just 134 yards from the tips.

At 455 yards, the 17th hole is the longest par 4 at Puakea Golf Course on Kauai, Hawaii.

Puakea Golf Course in Lihue features a back nine played along the base of Kauai's stunning mountains.

Puakea Golf Course highlights Kauai's lush natural scenery.

Ranked the 13th Best Golf Course You Can Play in Hawaii by Golfweek Magazine in 2009, Puakea is a one of Hawaii's best kept golf secrets. Designed by Robin Nelson, Puakea is a fun golf experience for the recreational golfer while still a challenge for the better player when played from the back tees. Located in Lihue across from the Kukui Grove Shopping Center, Puakea is easy to get to no matter where you are staying on Kauai. With its fully stocked pro shop, large grass driving range and practice bunkers and practice green Puakea is a great place to spend the day working on your game. Be sure to visit the Grille for a burger, salad, sandwich or cold beer.

Articles:

Golf course details

Holes: 18
Designed by: Mark Miller, Robin Nelson, Robin Nelson
Public/Private: Public
Year opened: 1997
Golf Season: Year round
Guest Policy: Open
Tee times welcomed: Yes
Fairways: Bermuda Grass
Greens: Bermuda Grass

Facilities

Pro in house: Yes
Driving range: Yes
Rental clubs: Yes
Rental carts: Yes - included in green fees

Green fees price ranges

Week days: $64 - $104
Weekends: $64 - $104
Tee times from $56 - Check prices

Course policies

Metal spikes allowed: No
Dress code: Appropriate golf attire.
Credit cards accepted: VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed

Length, slope and rating for each tee

Tee	Par	Yardage	Slope	Rating
Green	72	6954	130	73.1
Blue	72	6471	128	70.6
White	72	6061	124	68.8
Red	72	5225	115	64.8
White (W)	72	6061	129	75.1
Red (W)	72	5225	119	69.8

Reader Ratings / Reviews

by Noreen
on August 02nd, 2015 17:47
Great fun golf course. Steve in the pro shop was great to work with and saved the day for us when we left some items behind.
by Dr. Don Blosser
on October 19th, 2013 02:42
This course is my favorite on Kauai. I played it first when it was a 10 hole course. I love the way it demands creativity in club selection, and accuracy in where you place your drive in order to have a clear shot at the green.

My favorite hole is the par three over water to a green that is far below the tee. You want to take an extra club to be sure to clear the water, but the elevation difference defies that judgment.

My only concern is that there is one place (and I can't pinpoint it without a course map) where it can be confusing where to go from green to the next tee.

If I had only one course to play on Kauai, it would be Puakea, even over Princeville. It is my dream course in Hawaii. Don't miss it.
by Tom Smelser
on January 26th, 2013 20:39
A great value for the $$$. Course in good shape. Greens are fair and views very eye pleasing.
by Irene & mick
on November 06th, 2012 17:30
We try to go every year to kauai . We always play this course. It's one of our favorites.
by Karen Snepp
on July 07th, 2011 23:16
Have played there twice and received excellent service both times, not always the case for a single woman booking a tee time as a visitor. Course doesn't have the rich ocean views that some Kauai courses have, but gorgeous in its own way with some texture but still playable. Nice practice area, good selection of merchandise for women, and tasty food for the pre- and/or post-round meal.
by Samrat Bhadra
on August 03rd, 2010 13:55
My experience with very bad with their service. Will not recommend for the visitors who are looking for luxury and comfort.
by Dennis Mack
on May 28th, 2010 17:58
I go to the Island of Kauai every other year and always make it a point to play Puakea Golf Course. I rate this course an 8 out of 10. I like it just a much as I do Kauai Lagoons. Both are outstanding courses that should be on a to play list.
by BOB L
on February 20th, 2010 13:54
As Brandon said it starts out so-so but then it gets fun, some very challenging holes and water. I will be back in April of 2010.
by Kim
on January 11th, 2010 07:09
Love this coarse. Play it every time we go which is every year.
by Brandon Tucker
on January 05th, 2010 17:09
The course starts out so-so as the course begins in the heart of Lihue, but it just gets better and better throughout the round. While the Kauai Lagoons is under the knife, be sure to come here for a round - as it's probably less expensive to boot.