A view from The Ocean Course at Hokuala.
GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.1
104 Reviews (104)
5 Stars
54
4 Stars
37
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
5
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.6
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.0
83.8%
Recommend this course
90 out of 104 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
2.5
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
2.5
Value
2.5
Layout
3.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.3
StaffFriendliness
4.5
50.0%
Recommend this course
2 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
14 Reviews (14)
5 Stars
7
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.4
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
85.7%
Recommend this course
12 out of 14 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7156 yards
Slope 142
Rating 76.2

Formerly known as Kauai Lagoons Golf Club.

Book a Tee Time at
Ocean Course Hokuala
Powered by GolfNow.com

Course Details

Year Built 1988
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens TifEagle Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Jack Nicklaus (1988) Jack Nicklaus (2011)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes
Dress code Standard golf attire is required at Ocean Course at Hokuala. No t-shirts, tank tops, halter tops, cut-off shorts or denim. Covered footwear or golf specific sandals only.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse

Accolades

Reviews

4.1
104 Reviews (104)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 7
Bunkers 6
Forced Carries 6
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 8
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 7
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 8
Near the Airport 6

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great value

I did the member for a week and loved aĺ 7 rounds. I was 1st off the tee most days and played in about 2hrs and 20 minutes. The outside staff was great. I couldn't be treated better. The front 9 plays long first thing in am if wet. I cannot wait to see how it plays when they redo it.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 378
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

Lots of wow factor

After undergoing a renovation a few years ago, the back nine (Kiele Moana) stands up to just about any stretch of golf in Hawaii in terms of its wow factor. Holes 4, 5, 6 & 7 represent the longest continuous stretch of holes on the ocean in the Aloha State and they're more than scenic, they're interesting. The other nine has merit, too, though, even without the ocean views. Overall, Kauai Lagoons is one of the more memorable courses in all of Hawaii.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Lagoons

A sensational, very challenging course. Beautiful scenery to boot. Not for hackers. Some tee offs required to hit 200 yards to clear danger, lost ball. A pleasure to play, would not hesitate to recommend. Only complaint was couldn't find anywhere for a drink after round. Staff very friendly, especially in clubhouse

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent top notch course.

The course is in excellent condition. Staff is great. Some holes along the coast are spectacular. It is a long and challenging course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course was one of our all time favorites.

You can't beat the views on the back nine. The front nine with the tropical landscaping is scenic too. The entire course was in pristine condition and the staff was extremely friendly. The starter did an excellent job spacing groups so we were never bunched up. We got a terrific Sunday rate which made it even better. If you are traveling to Kauai this is a must.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Sunday at the Kauia Logoons

Good rate on Sunday special. Course in good shape, greens rolling fairly fast. Pace of play fairly good. Not an easy course, need to hit it good to score well. Not sure that I would come back at the $165 rate, other options on Kauia at a better rate.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great shape

We enjoyed ourselves very much! Course was in good shape!

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Kauai Lagoons is a top pick

We loved this course, we played well, maybe because we rubbed the Buddha's tummy on 1. Read the course description and where to aim when trade winds are up, might be hard to aim that far left or right, but trust the advise. Also when they say three clubs more, they mean it! Greens were true, wide fairways, great course for women. I shoot a lower ball flight than my husband so the wind bothered me less. I actually beat him (with handicap). Views are spectacular. This is a must play. We were there in July and had no players in front of us. It was 84 and wind felt very nice.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing

Exceptional

The views on this course were absolutely beautiful, mountains, ocean, had a hard time concentrating on golf.
We will be playing here again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course was great!

The only negative was that the Bev cart cost a small fortune? $35. 50 for 2 bottle of booze, a can of juice and 2 beers. They charge $10 for the airplane bottles and then charge my wife $4 for the juice she mixed with the $10 rum.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

18 holes in 3 hours.

This was a great course. Especially for the price. I booked a twilight tee time through GolfNow.com for $75 plus $35 for club rentals. I played with another twosome in 3 hours. I'm used to playing at home in about 5 1/2, so this was a treat. The course was in great shape and had awesome views. I was planning on playing Poipu Bay, but may just go back to Kauai Lagoons again.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Kauai Lagoons was the most beautiful course

Kauai Lagoons was the most beautiful golf course I have played in Hawaii.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A Kauai Gem

Beautiful course right by LIH airport. There are 3 9's: All are breezy. Moana is on the ocean. Fairways were in perfect shape when we played in June. Entire staff was super friendly and helpful. Not crowded at all.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 638
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Golf Advisor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

The ocean rules at Kauai Lagoons

Change has been a constant for Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, the only Jack Nicklaus design on Kauai.
Nicklaus originally designed 36 holes before constant tinkering cut the course to just 18 holes for awhile.
A renovation completed in May 2011 brought the club back to 27 holes and, more important, created the longest continuous stretch of ocean holes in Hawaii. Work also upgraded bunkers, moved several traps around and put Tif-eagle grass on the greens.
Golfweek ranked Kauai Lagoons eighth among the top public golf courses in Hawaii in 2013. Sweeping views of the Pacific and beautiful bays highlight the Kiele Moana nine (translating to "ocean"). The trade winds really kick into high gear on this nine, making the ocean holes from nos. 4-7 play ultra tough.
The Kiele Course's front nine -- named Mauka, which means "to the mountains" -- crawls through the jungle. This demanding par-37 loop features three par 5s in the first six holes. A new back tee on the fourth hole turned a monstrous par 4 into a reachable par 5. The do-or-die tee shot at the par-3 fifth hole might seem tough until you reach the feared 18th hole, a 459-yard par 4 playing into the howling trade winds with water up the right side and jungle along the left. It takes an all-carry poke over the water to reach the green.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Gorgeous vistas over challenging valley carry holes.

The daily pin placement/"local knowledge" card on the cart provided great tips, complemented by the on-cart GPS. Pace of play could be improved upon by sending out foursomes instead of twosomes - not everyone wants to play with strangers, but we seem to always meet nice folks on the golf course, so we don't mind getting paired up.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Spectaculair views.

We had a minus 29% deal ($145 i.s.o. $205) and I still think it's quite a lot of money for a round of golf next to an airstrip. However, the course was in a fine condition and the layout and the scenery are amazing. Spectaculair views of the Pacific, teeshots over the jungle and every chance to see whales playing in the background. One thing was a real bummer though. After a challenging round of golf, I long for a big icecold beer. Guess what? No clubhouse. We were referred to the poolside bar in the adjoining Marriott hotel. Aside from that we had a wonderful time there. A fine Nicklaus design definitely worth playing.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Gotta play this course if in Kauai

Ocean holes are awesome. Great course, you will be challenged and enjoy the views. Bring a camera. Stop by the Marriott on the beach and have a beer afterwards.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Don't play it full price

I have always wanted to play this course and recently Golf Now afforded me the luxury. The ocean side has some fabulous views, but overall a course I would not play at full price. Even after Nicklaus' redesign, some of the holes are kind of gimmicky, so much so that they give you a tip sheet on where and what club to hit. I strongly recommend you follow the tips.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Friendliness Average
Pace Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

As resort layouts go this ia a real test

Everything you want in a resort golf experience; excellent practice facility, practice balls and cart included in price, fantastic ocean views, really nice clubhouse and setting.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

One of my favorite Nicklaus designs

It's tough not to fall in love with any golf course on Kauai and particularly here, which has such a unique setting. The course winds through both forest and jungle, not to mention some man-made lagoons from the resort's more opulent days. It's good to see the course is finally wrapping up its long transition period and the oceanfront holes are back. But I still really love a lot of the front nine holes that play more inland. All-in-all, it's one of the more playable Nicklaus resort courses you'll play (and you're Hawaii, so that's kind of the point).

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Lihue, Hawaii
Public
3.8554529412
338
Kapaa, Hawaii
Municipal
4.2857
14
Koloa, Hawaii
Resort
4.4127294118
156
Koloa, Hawaii
Resort/Semi-Private
4.1834823529
170
Koloa, Hawaii
Private/Resort
4.3333333333
2
Kalaheo, Hawaii
Semi-Private
4.0
4
Princeville, Hawaii
Resort
4.1618058824
101
Golf Packages

Best of Kauai Package

FROM $687 (USD)
KAUAI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences and 2 rounds of golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club (GOLF Advisor's #1 ranked course in Kauai) and The Ocean Course at Hokuala.

Kauai Golf Experience Package

FROM $397 (USD)
KAUAI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and 2 rounds of golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club & The Ocean Course at Hokuala.

Kauai's Premier Golf Package

FROM $497 (USD)
KAUAI | Play two of the best courses the Garden Island has to offer! This Golf-Only package includes one (1) round of golf at Princeville Makai Golf Club and one (1) round of golf at The Ocean Course at Hokuala.

Savannah Harbor Stay & Play Golf Package

FROM $227 (USD)
SAVANNAH, GA | Enjoy 2 nights' accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa and 2 rounds of golf at The Club at Savannah Harbor.

Best of Oahu Package

FROM $527 (USD)
OAHU | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at The Four Seasons Resort - Oahu and 2 rounds of golf at Kapolei Golf Club.
Now Reading