I've heard some mixed reviews on the Puakea Golf Course now that it's finished. I've played Poipu Bay and Prince courses and am wondering if Puakea is worth adding to my itinerary in November. I love the beautiful scenery that Poipu Bay and Prince offer!

It's worth playing. Not in the same league with Prince for sure, but still a good course.

Some very beautiful holes (one awesome downhill par-3), some pedestrian ones. They just added the final eight, so it's now a complete 18 hole course. Pace is fast. Conditions good.

Play Kiele. Second only to Prince on Kauai and Wailua (public muni, one of the best in the nation and a truly hidden gem).

My husband just played it last week -- and when compared to our own neighborhood courses (Prince and Makai), this one was somewhat less challenging. And it's inland, so those spectacular views are absent, but the course is well laid out.

Do you play golf auntie?

What are the green fees at Kiele and Puakea? I plan to be on the Island for a month, and hope to play often, depending on price. Also is it easy to get on to Kiele, or do you have to be there at 5 am?? Cheers, Al

travelinandgolfin:
I've taken a full set of lessons at the Prince; re-enrolled for the next session because I never got a chance to go out and put those lessons into a round. #39;(

My husband recently retired, so has had free time to golf alllllllll over the island. I'm determined to _make_ the time to golf with him and our friends now!

Whistler, I'm not sure what the rates are at those courses for out of state players (I'm assuming you don't live in Hawaii). Websites should be able to tell you.

Kiele though will probably be a lot more then Puakea. Kiele is part of the Kauai Lagoons Resort, is highly rated by most of the golf publications and charges accordingly. Still worth playing at least once. It has five holes that could stand up to ANY course in the nation. You should have no trouble getting on. If you're a single, just show up and you'll get on pretty fast.

Play the public muni, Wailua though. Even as a visitor, it's pretty cheap. Hosted the National Public Links a few years ago. Challenging, sceanic, good conditions, decent pace. One of my favs.

auntie, I couldn't think of a better place for a golfer to retire than Kauai. You're smart in trying to tap in that that wonderful natural resourse Kauai has.