Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [144]
The Poipu Resort Area
Kiahuna Golf Club This par-70, 6,353-yard Robert Trent Jones, Jr.–designed course plays around four large archaeological sites, ranging from an ancient Hawaiian temple to the remains of a Portuguese home and crypt built in the early 1800s. This Scottish-style course has rolling terrain, undulating greens, 70 sand bunkers, and near-constant winds. The 3rd hole, a par-3, 185-yarder, goes over Waikomo Stream. At any given time, about half the players on the course are Kauai residents, the other half visitors. Facilities include a driving range, practice greens, and a restaurant.
2545 Kiahuna Plantation Dr. (adjacent to Poipu Resort area), Koloa. 80 8/742-9595.www.kiahunagolf.com. Take Hwy. 50 to Hwy. 520, bear left into Poipu at the fork in the road, and turn left onto Kiahuna Plantation Dr. Greens fees: $95; twilight rates $65 (times for twilight rates may vary throughout the year).
Kukuiolono Golf Course This is a fun 9-hole course in a spectacular location with scenic views of the entire south coast. You can’t beat the price—$8 for the day, whether you play 9 holes or 90. The course is in Kukuiolono Park, a beautiful wooded area donated by the family of Walter McBryde. In fact, you’ll see McBryde’s grave on the course, along with some other oddities like wild chickens, ancient Hawaiian rock structures, and Japanese gardens. Of course, there are plenty of trees to keep you on your game. When you get to the second tee box, check out the coconut tree dotted with yellow, pink, orange, and white golf balls that have been driven into the bark. Don’t laugh—your next shot might add to the decor! This course shouldn’t give you many problems—it’s excellently maintained and relatively straightforward, with few fairway hazards. Facilities include a driving range, practice greens, club rental, a snack bar, and a clubhouse.
Kukuiolono Park, Kalaheo. 80 8/332-9151. Take Hwy. 50 into the town of Kalaheo; turn left on Papaluna Rd., drive up the hill for nearly a mile, and watch for the sign on your right; the entrance has huge iron gates and stone pillars—you can’t miss it. Greens fees: $9 for the day; optional cart rental is $9 for 9 holes.
Poipu Bay Golf Course This 6,959-yard, par-72 course with a links-style layout was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. This challenging course features undulating greens and water hazards on 8 of the holes. The par-4, 16th hole has the coastline weaving along the entire left side. You can take the safe route to the right and maybe make par (but more likely bogey), or you can try to take it tight against the ocean and possibly make it in two. The most striking (and most disrespectful) hole is the 201-yard, par-3 on the 17th, which has a tee built on an ancient Hawaiian stone formation. Facilities include a restaurant, a locker room, a pro shop, a driving range, and putting greens.
2250 Ainako St. (across from the Grand Hyatt Kauai), Koloa. 80 0/858-6300 or 80 8/742-8711. www.poipubaygolf.com. Take Hwy. 50 to Hwy. 520; bear left into Poipu at the fork in the road; turn right on Ainako St. Greens fees: $220 ($150 Grand Hyatt guests); $135 afternoon play noon–2:30pm; $80 twilight rate after 2:30pm.
The North Shore
Princeville Golf Club, Prince Course Here’s your chance to play one of the best golf courses in Hawaii. This Robert Trent Jones, Jr.–designed devil of a course sits on 390 acres molded to create ocean views from every hole. Some holes have a waterfall backdrop to the greens, others shoot into the hillside, and the famous par-4, 12th has a long tee shot off a cliff to a narrow, jungle-lined fairway 100 feet below. This is the most challenging course on Kauai; accuracy is key here. Most of the time, if you miss the fairway, your ball’s in the drink. “The average vacation golfer may find the Prince Course intimidating, but they don