Renovation unlocks the beauty of Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s Makai Golf Club at Princeville on Kauai
PRINCEVILLE, Kauai, Hawaii -- The Woods nine provides proof of just how far the 27-hole Makai Golf Club at Princeville has come since its multi-million dollar renovation finished in 2010.
Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course's original architect back in 1971, has revived one of Hawaii's sleeping beauties.
The untouched Woods nine, used as an overflow loop for beginners and families, looks nothing like the new 7,223-yard course. Seashore paspalum now covers the fairways, greens and tees, including a new fourth set that added roughly 500 yards in length. Green surrounds were reshaped. New white Silica sand from Vietnam created bunkers that visually pop against a panoramic backdrop.
Makai, run by Troon Golf, translates to "ocean." Spectacular cliff-top views of the Pacific come from five superb holes (nos. 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14). Makai, which hosted the LPGA Tour back in the 1980s, would look great on HDTV in prime time should a big tournament ever return. It ranks no. 80 on Golf Digest's list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" in 2013-14.
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 3
The third hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville plummets downhill.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 2
The par-5 second hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville stretches to 611 yards.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 6
The Pacific Ocean comes into focus on the sixth hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville on Kauai.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 7
No photo can do justice to the coastline beauty of the par-3 seventh hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville on Kauai.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 7 views
Captivating views surround the seventh hole at Makai Golf Club at Princeville on Kauai.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 18
Water protects the 18th green at Makai Golf Club at Princeville.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 12
Makai Golf Club at Princeville returns to the Pacific Ocean at the 12th green.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 14
Bite off as much as you can chew to reach the 14th fairway at Makai Golf Club at Princeville.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
Makai Golf Club at Princeville - hole 17
Water gobbles up misses on the 17th hole at Makai Golf Club.
Jason Scott Deegan/TravelGolf
(based on 3 reviews)