Makai Golf Club

Princeville, HI • Public

Panelists

1 / 1

Overview

The first solo design of Robert Trent Jones Jr., Princeville Makai is situated on bluffs overlooking Kauai's Hanalei Bay and pipeline surf. Two of its three nines (the Lake and Ocean 9s) were re-grassed and re-bunkered in 2009 by Jones and partner Bruce Charlton, who also re-established the width of several holes. The untouched Woods 9, now considered the resort's walking course, provides a graphic reminder of how golf has changed in five decades.

About

Holes 18

Length 7223

Slope 134

Price $299

Facility Type Public

Designer Robert Trent Jones, Jr., ASGCA

Awards

100 Greatest: Ranked for 16 years from 1973-'88.
Highest ranking: No. 92, 1985-'86.

100 Greatest Public: Ranked since 2013.
Highest ranking: No. 65, 2015-'16 and 2019-'20.
Previous ranking: No. 81.
2023-'24 ranking: No. 64.

Best in State: Ranked inside the top 10 since 2013 to current. Ranked 13th, 2011-'12.
Current ranking: 8th.

Panelists

Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists

4.2

100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot Options

6.8934

Character

6.9258

Challenge

6.8459

Layout Variety

7.0636

Fun

7.2116

Aesthetics

7.5013

Conditioning

6.8267

Reviews

1 / 6

Review

“Some of the best views you can find on a golf course anywhere in the world. Each of the 9's work their way to the ocean and have multiple holes along the water. Course can be pretty wet in season but that's just that part of Kauai. Look out for Albatrosses nesting throughout the course and hopefully you are lucky enough to make one as well."

2022

2 / 6

Review

“Course has great views, and is a great course for a low and high handicapper. It's challenging, provides a lot of shot options and opportunities to be aggressive with your shots. The hospitality at the course is above and beyond. The greens roll true. I played this course six times on a recent visit and did not have a single round take more than 3.5 hours."

2019

3 / 6

Review

“An interesting mix of some truly outstanding seaside holes and some super bland uninspiring holes inland."

2018

4 / 6

Review

“This is a stunningly beautiful course with a great collection of short and long par fours, challenging par threes, and excellent risk-reward par fives. Oh the ocean is in play."

2018

5 / 6

Review

“The Princeville Makai Course is an excellent option while visiting Kauai's north shore. However, the clubhouse is quite small and the food options are not great. The practice range is huge and a wonderful place to warm up prior to the round. The staff is quite friendly and accommodating. The routing seems to wander around a bit, so can be a bit confusing, but overall the golf course is challenging and offers some wonderful views."

2018

6 / 6

Review

“Excellent north shore course. Friendly and professional staff across the board. Fairways are wide and friendly, but the course bares teeth on approaches. Superb views and conditioning."

2018