Makai Golf Club at Princeville

4.5 stars out of 5
(based on 4 reviews)
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4080 Lei O Papa Rd
Princeville, Hawaii 96722
Kauai County
Phone(s): (808) 826-1912

Makai Golf Club at Princeville is a 27-hole layout that was carved into a sloping hillside, perched high above the Pacific overlooking the beautiful Hanalei Bay. The course enjoys an unrivaled setting with both mountain and ocean views.

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View from #2 on the Makai Course at Princeville Makai Golf ClubSunset view from a green at Princeville Makai Golf Club - Makai CourseView from Princeville Makai Golf ClubView from the par-3 213 yards 7th on the Makai CourseView from the par-4 414 yards 14th hole at Princeville MakaiThe Makai Course allows for several opportunities to play right on the coastline. Hitting over the cliffs on Makai's par-3 seventh hole can be intimidating. The Lakes nine on the Makai course begins inland before heading out toward the coast. The Lakes nine on the Makai Course also features several oceanfront holes, like the long par-3 fourth hole. At just 308 yards, the par-4 fifth hole on the Lakes nine is drivable from the tee. An albatross sits under a tree on the Makai Lakes nine. The par-4 17th on the Lakes nine on the Makai Course features a green guarded in front by water. The inland holes on the Makai Course feature many small lakes. The Makai Course at the Princeville Resort on Hawaiian Island Kauai An overhead view of the par-3 seventh hole on the Ocean nine at the Makai Course. The Ocean nine on the Makai Course at Princeville features two greens that play right along the ocean. The Makai Course sits several hundred feet above the Pacific Ocean. The Makai Course at Princeville will be renovated later this year. The Makai Course features a stunning mountain backdrop and Pacific Ocean scenery. Robert Trent Jones Jr. oversaw renovation and redesign of Makai Golf Club, his first course in Hawaii opened in 1971.Makai Golf Club's par-5 second hole plays downhill with the trade winds at your back.Makai Golf Club's par-3 seventh hole plays over the ocean.Makai Golf Club's par-3 third hole is a short shot from an elevated tee to the green.Makai Golf Club's No. 1 handicap hole is the tight, uphill, par-4 fourth.An albatross sits next to the sixth fairway at Makai Golf Club. Makai Golf Club's 12th hole is a long par-4 into the tradewinds.Makai Golf Club's long, par-3 13th hole plays over 200 yards into the tradewinds.The most enhanced hole from the redesign is Makai Golf Club's drivable par-4 14th.Makai Golf Club's par-4 15th hole plays to a green overlooking the ocean.The Princeville Resort has reopened as a St. Regis and features a brand new pool.St. Regis Princeville Resort's guest rooms have all be renovated and upgraded.Ocean views and pristine conditions best describe one of Kauai's best golf courses: Makai Golf Club at Princeville.The well bunkered par-5 second hole at Makai Golf Club can play as long as 611 yards.Makai Golf Club's par-4 third, said to be designer Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s favorite, mimics the ocean-mountain backdrop in its design.Playing back up the hill, players also usually face a stiff breeze into Makai Golf Club's short, par-4 fourth.The fifth hole at Makai Golf Club is a dogleg left, parkland par 5.The ocean comes right back into view on the par-4 sixth at Makai Golf Club on Kauai.Arguably Makai's signature hole, the seventh is among the most picturesque in Hawaii.The medium par-4 ninth is another example of one of Makai Golf Club's strong parkland inland holes.With water left, the par-4 10th at Makai Golf Club provides a challenging start to the back nine.Makai Golf Club's short risk-reward par-4 14th, which crosses water, is heavily bunkered.The par-4 15th at Makai Golf Club runs away from the Pacific Ocean.The pin position on the right is the most difficult on the par-4 17th at Makai Golf Club.The second shot can be a high-risk attempt at the green on the par-5 finishing hole at Makai Golf Club.
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Makai Golf Club at Princeville is a 27-hole layout that was carved into a sloping hillside, perched high above the Pacific overlooking the beautiful Hanalei Bay. The course enjoys an unrivaled setting with both mountain and ocean views. The club was once three different nines, but a major renovation in 2010 combined the Ocean and Lakes nines into an 18-hole championship course while the par-36 Woods remained a nine-hole course. The courses are Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s first design on Kauai, where he would go on to design four other golf courses. The signature hole comes on the front nine, the former Ocean course. The par-3 third hole offers not only a stunning view of the bay but also a challenging test that plays from an elevated tee to a water-protected green 100 feet below.

4.5 stars out of 5
(based on 4 reviews)
See all reviews | Submit your rating

Golf course details

  • Holes: 18
  • Designed by: Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
  • Public/Private: Resort
  • Year opened: 1971
  • Golf Season: Year round
  • Guest Policy: Open
  • Tee times welcomed: Yes
  • Fairways: Seashore Paspalum
  • Greens: Seashore Paspalum

Facilities

  • Pro in house: Yes
  • Driving range: Yes
  • Rental clubs: Yes
  • Rental carts: Yes

Green fees price ranges

Course policies

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

Length, slope and rating for each tee

Tee Par Yardage Slope Rating
'Aina 72 7223 134 75.4
Koa 72 6535 129 71.7
Kai 72 6522 127 71.6
Lani 72 5534 117 66.9
Ahi (W) 72 6155 132 75.5
Ahi 72 6155 123 69.8
Lani (W) 72 5534 122 72.1
Ka'upu (W) 72 4978 117 68.9
 

Reader Ratings / Reviews

  • 5 stars out of 5
    by John Mencer
    on August 16th, 2013 12:55
    The course was just lovely in January, 2013 and we'll play it again next January. Hard to top the views and it offers a nice challenge for men and women.
  • 5 stars out of 5
    by KauaiSteve
    on May 31st, 2011 10:32
    The course is now playing beautifully after 1 year since re-opening. Love the 13th 225 yd par 3 into the wind toward the ocean and then the 390 yard par 4 14th that one can easily hit the green from the T! The 14th hole borders the ocean and multiple canyons and one slip and you can be lost forever! The renovation of Makai has sparked similar rejuvenations across the island...Poipu Bay, Kauai Lagoons, and the Prince Course have or are currently re-doing greens, bunkers, etc. Locals are grateful as we get to play golf all year!
  • 4.5 stars out of 5
    by B. Tucker
    on April 02nd, 2010 22:48
    Renovation is complete and the course is starting to look really good with Paspalum. Greens were the best we saw during the week in Kauai and many of the holes have been enhanced.
  • 4 stars out of 5
    by Brandon Tucker
    on January 05th, 2010 09:07
    I played this course before the renovation and you could see how much potential it has. There is actually more ocean frontage on the Makai, including a par-3 shot over the ocean on the 6th, than the more prestigious Prince course. I'm looking forward to getting back and see how the upgrade has affected the course as I'm sure it will be rated among Hawaii's best if they do it right.
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