Kauai Lagoons Golf Club in Lihue: Kauai's Jack Nicklaus gem

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club holds the distinction as Kauai's only Jack Nicklaus design.

Located in Lihue near the airport, the Kiele nine has long been one of Hawaii's highest ranked golf courses for its closing stretch, starting at the oceanfront 16th hole, a drivable par 4 that hugs the cliffs on the left. After the 16th, two holes play along the lagoon, including the difficult 18th hole, into the trade winds and towards an island green.

The Mokihana nine are a bit more forgiving compared to Kiele with more space to land the ball and no forced carries like on the Kiele, which has two back-to-back carries over ravines on the fifth and sixth holes.

The golf club is located next to the Kauai Marriott Resort and courtesy shuttles transport guests to and from the resort.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Kauai Lagoons G.C. re-opened its 18-hole Kiele Course in its entirety in May of 2011.]

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 4

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's 4th green is surrounded by bunkers and mounding.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 10

No. 10 begins a stretch of holes from the former Mokihana course.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 14

The par-5 14th hole on Kauai Lagoons plays towards the coast and into the trade winds.

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Kauai Marriott Resort

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club is located next to the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 2

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's original 36 holes were designed by Jack Nicklaus.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - 2nd hole

The par-5 2nd hole plays uphill at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club in Lihue - No. 3

Animal statues sit at every tee box of the former Kiele holes, like the third hole: "Camel."

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 5

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's par-3 fifth hole is a daring shot over a ravine.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 8

The par-3 eighth hole on Kauai Lagoons plays downhill to a green guarded by water.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club in Lihue - lagoon

The final two holes play along the lagoon at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 16

The fairway of Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's par-4 16th hole narrows and heads downhill towards the green.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - 16th green

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's 16th green is drivable off the tee but most balls kick left into the ocean.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - hole 17

The par-3 17th hole at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club plays over water.

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Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - No. 18

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club's 18th hole is a long par 4 that requires carry over water and into the trade winds.

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