Here is a list of Three of the "Must Play" golf courses on the Hawaiian Island Of Kauai. Hawaii is full of fantastic golf courses but here is a list of three of the most famous, renowned and unique golf clubs that everybody should play while visiting Kauai, Hawaii. Hawaii Golf clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
It is said that when legendary golfer and architect Jack Nicklaus created the original Kiele Course in the late 1980's, the terrain lent itself so well to his vision that he made but a single change to his original design. In 2011, Jack Nicklaus was again called upon. This time to redesign the back nine of his famed Kiele course. Included are all new greens, new white silica sand bunkers, and three new holes. One is a new ocean hole that is now the centerpiece of what is the longest stretch of continuous ocean holes of any course in Hawaii. Four fabulous holes providing over 1/2 mile of unobstructed oceanfront. Kauai Lagoons is a lush, 750-acre resort carefully secluded in the southwest corner of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Fairways weave through mango and guava tree forests, along imposing ocean cliffs and over promontories high above the harbor, and among some forty acres of fresh water lagoons that wind their way throughout the resort.
This links style layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. can play over 7,000 yards long. The ocean comes into play on holes 15-17, a beautiful venue for golfers of all abilities. A unique and unforgettable golf experience awaits you at beautiful Poipu Bay Resort. This outstanding course is backed by lush emerald mountains and sculpted from a rolling plateau eight stories above the Pacific Ocean. Nestled among the gentle contours of Poipu Bay you’ll discover the remains of Hawaiian heiau (places of worship) and ancient stone walls. If this weren't challenge enough, Mother Nature presents you with one distraction after another. This golf course is breathtaking but don't let your mind wander to the beautiful ocean views and beach vistas or this undulating golf course will eat you alive. Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course was the home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 – 2006. The course has won numerous awards and has been consistently rated among the top golf courses in Hawaii and the U.S.
The 7,223 yard par 72 Makai Course’s signature holes include the challenging Par 3 Hole 3, the tee is about 100 feet above a protected green below with a lake fronting the green. Other signature holes include 7, 13 and 18. Scenic views of towering mountains, the sight of Bali Hai and Hanalei Bay and looking down at breaking surf below the cliffs will provide an overall experience you’ll never forget. The Makai Golf Course at Princeville re-opened in January 2010 after a multi-million renovation that reconfigured the greens from two 9 hole courses into one beautiful 18 hole course. Bunkers were reshaped with new ones added, two new large practice tees and a new expanded practice putting green were created and the grass on the tees was changed to Seashore Paspalum, a drought resistant grass that is so smooth it almost looks like a carpet, a very fine one at that.
Carl Murphy
Author