Golf in Kauai

For golfers, the Garden Isle might as well be known as the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Isle. Four of the island's nine courses, including Poipu Bay—onetime home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf—are the work of Jones, who maintains a home at Princeville. Combine these four courses with those from Jack Nicklaus, Robin Nelson, and local legend Toyo Shirai, and you'll see that golf sets Kauai apart from the other islands as much as the Pacific Ocean does. Afternoon tee times can save you big bucks.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. With the pending development of the Kauai Lagoons Resort, the golf club is getting a face-lift. That means Jack is back. Nicklaus is redesigning the back nine of his award-winning Kiele Course, originally opened in 1989. During this process, the club is down to 27 holes and pairing the front nine of Kiele with the back nine of its sister course, Mokihana—characterized by its "links" design. Construction on Kiele is expected to continue through 2008; then, the plan is to upgrade the Mokihana Course. In August 2007, the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club was sold to Marriott Vacation Clubs International. 3351 Hoolaulea Way, Lihue. 808/241-6000. www.ritzcarltonrealestate.com/destinations/kauailagoons/golf.jsp. Maile-Kiele Combo: 18 holes. 6,255 yds. Par 72. Green fee: $150. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, golf carts, rental clubs, lessons.

Kiahuna Plantation Golf Course. A meandering creek, lava outcrops, and thickets of trees give Kiahuna its character. Robert Trent Jones Jr. was given a smallish piece of land just inland at Poipu, and defends par with smaller targets, awkward stances, and optical illusions. In 2003 a group of homeowners bought the club and brought Jones back to renovate the course (it was originally built in 1983), adding tees and revamping bunkers. The pro here boasts his course has the best putting greens on the island. The course's only downside is the dust screens—due to the recent development in Poipu. Expect them to come down in late 2008. This is the only course on Kauai with a complete set of junior's tee boxes. 2545 Kiahuna Plantation Dr., Koloa. 808/742-9595. www.kiahunagolf.com. 18 holes. 6,230 yds. Par 70. Green fee: $110. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, rental clubs, lessons, pro shop, restaurant, bar.

Kukuiolono Golf Course. Local legend Toyo Shirai designed this fun, funky 9-holer where holes play across rolling, forested hills that afford views of the distant Pacific. Though Shirai has an eye for a good golf hole, Kukuiolono is out of the way and a bit rough, and probably not for everyone. But at $8 for the day, it's a deal—bring cash, though, as they don't accept credit cards. No tee times. 854 Puu Rd., Kalaheo. 808/332-9151. 9 holes. 3,173 yds. Par 36. Green fee: $8. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, golf carts, pull carts, rental clubs.

Poipu Bay Golf Course. Poipu Bay has been called the Pebble Beach of Hawaii, and the comparison is apt. Like Pebble Beach, Poipu is a links course built on headlands, not true links land. And as at Monterey Bay, there's wildlife galore. It's not unusual for golfers to see monk seals sunning on the beach below, sea turtles bobbing outside the shore break, and humpback whales leaping offshore. 2250 Ainako St., Koloa. 808/742-8711. www.poipubay.com. 18 holes. 6,612 yds. Par 72. Green fee: $200. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, rental clubs, golf carts, golf academy/lessons, restaurant, bar.

Princeville Resort. Robert Trent Jones Jr. built two memorable courses overlooking Hanalei Bay, the 27-hole Princeville Makai Course (1971) and the Prince Course (1990). The three Makai nines—Woods, Lake, Ocean—offer varying degrees of each element, plus lush mountain views above. Three quick snapshots: the par-3 seventh on the Ocean nine drops 100 feet from tee to green, with blue Hanalei Bay just beyond. The Ocean's par-3 eighth plays across a small bay where dolphins often leap. On the Woods's par-3 eighth, two large lava rocks in Jones's infamous Zen Bunker really are quite blissful, until you plant a tee shot behind one of them. The Prince was ranked by Golf Digest as Hawaii's number-one golf course on their 2006 list of America's Top 100 Greatest Courses. It's certifiably rated Hawaii's second toughest (behind Oahu's Koolau). This is jungle golf, with holes running through dense forest and over tangled ravines, out onto headlands for breathtaking ocean views, then back into the jungle. Makai Golf Course : 4080 Lei O Papa Rd., Princeville. 808/826-3580. www.princeville.com. 27 holes. 6,886 yds. Par 72. Green fee: $175. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, rental clubs, golf carts, pro shop, golf academy/lessons, snack bar. Prince Golf Course : 5-3900 Kuhio Hwy., Princeville. 808/826-5001. www.princeville.com. 18 holes. 6,960 yds. Par 72. Green fee: $195. Facilities: Driving range, putting green, rental clubs, golf carts, pro shop, golf academy/lessons, restaurant, bar.

Wailua Municipal Golf Course. Voted by Golf Digest as one of Hawaii's 15 best golf courses, this seaside course was first built as a 9-hole golf course in the 1930s. The second 9 holes were added in 1961. Course designer Toyo Shirai created a course that is fun but not punishing. Not only is this an affordable game with minimal water hazards, but it is challenging enough to have been chosen to host three USGA Amateur Public Links Championships. The trade winds blow steadily on the east side of the island and make the game all the more challenging. An ocean view and affordability make this one of the most popular courses on the island. Tee times are accepted up to seven days in advance. 5350 Kuhio Hwy., 5 mins north of airport, Lihue. 808/241-6666. 18 holes. Par 72. Green fee: $32 weekdays, $44 weekends. Half price after 2 PM. Cart rental: $17. Cash or traveler's checks only. Facilities: Driving range, rental clubs, golf carts, pro shop, lessons, snack bar.