Princeville Makai Golf Club - Makai Course

Princeville Makai is an outstanding layout that features excellent fairways and very well-maintained greens. The course went through an extensive renovation within the past few years and yet has the look and feel of a course that is mature. The pace of play was just right: very little waiting and no one pressing from behind. And, if we did wait at all, we had beautiful views of the ocean. What we particularly enjoyed was the fact that design is both challenging and playable. The fairways are relatively wide, but the wind makes it a challenge to keep your ball in the right position.

The tees, fairways and greens were in terrific shape. I had not played in Hawaii for several years because the greens were typically very grainy, but these greens were very true and the speed was quick, but very fair. The early holes, except for #3, are not very challenging, but the rest of the course was a real treat. At times the course plays much longer than the yardage, due to elevation change and wind. The green fee, $117, was very fair for the quality of the course and views that are amazingly beautiful once you get to the ocean holes (some on front and back nines). I would play again without hesitation.

The golf course with in good shape staff was very friendly and helpful. Looking forward to play this course again my next visit.

This course totally lived up to the hype. Through golfnow we got an extremely reasonable rate, which always influences your experience positively, and got a tee time around 11am. Aesthetically, the course is great and the conditions are the same. As we played in to the afternoon the greens really slowed down which I found challenging, mainly because I have so little experience putting on greens with so much grain. I preferred the front nine design. Besides holes 14 and 18, the back nine just mirrors the front. Just less impressive. Don't bother looking for your ball if its near a residence on the course, we were prematurely warned not to get anywhere near their property. Great course and even better staff.

Spectacular scenery along the cliffs of Princeville, Kauai. Lots of sand bunkers and windy conditions make for a good test of your golf game. Very friendly staff.

During our 2 week´s stay in Hawaii we played several courses and chose Princeville as our latest.
The staff was very, very friendly!
They took as from the parking area, brougth all our equipment to the caddy master. The GPS was introduced to us, including our german language.
At the end we could send the scorecard to our e-Mail.
Then our staff was completely cleaned and our car was brought precooled from the parking area directly to the baggage drop.
And the course: Spectecular. On some holes you think to play directly in the ocean.
The only minus: Remaining sand on the greens after verfication.
Anyway very true and very fast greens. Bunkers in perfect shape.
Congratulation to all the team of Princeville!

This is a very nice resort course. Even though the fairways are wide, there are several very challenging holes, particularly when the wind blows (which is most of the time). The staff is very friendly and helpful. They parked our car, stored our bags for our next round and made us feel very welcome. Nice folks all around.

Beautiful course, I agree with another review, hard to focus on the game with all the stunning views. Our home course is designed by Donald Ross, punitive greens, Princeville Makai is the opposite, your ball will stick, greens run true. Very fun and a challenge. Can not say enough positive, and nothing negative. Wind was not a problem the day we played, nice to have as it was about 84. Also, abundant birds, and a baby albatross in a nest, your cart GPS will warn you when you are approaching the nest.

Course is in fantastic shape. Greens are outstanding with no grain. Fairways are generous. Views of surrounding mountains and ocean make it difficult to focus on your game. Played five times in two week period and all rounds completed in 4 hours or less. Staff very professional and helpful. Can't say enough good things about the course. If you need to choose between Makai and Prince courses, go with Makai. Prince is target golf with several elevation changes and blind shots. If you don't hit it straight, you are in for a rough day and will need a lot of golf balls. Plus Makai is in much better shape and has better views.

This course is well maintained and if you stay in the short grass you'll have a good round, but just being out here make for a wonderful experience

This course is beautify, challenging but fair, very playable and possibly the most beautiful course I have ever played in 40 years of playing golf all over the world. This course is worth the trip.

I don't dole out five stars for an overall course rating easily, but the Makai Golf Club at Princeville deserves it.
Since a multi-million dollar renovation finished in 2010, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. course no longer lives in the shadow of the Prince course at Princeville, long considered Kauai's top course.
Makai, ranked no. 80 on Golf Digest's list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Courses" in 2013-14, has a crisp, clean look thanks to new grass and new white Silica sand in all the bunkers. It's resort-friendly, yet still stocked with some challenging holes.
The beautiful new Seashore paspalum that now covers the fairways, greens and tees is well groomed by Troon Golf, which manages the club.
Makai translates in Hawaiian to "ocean." Five superb holes (nos. 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14) dance along the clifftops near the Pacific Ocean. You might end up replaying them over and over again in your dreams.

Difficult course with wind, water and a few lost balls but the views make this course well worth it.

Course is nicely manicured. Wind can be a factor. Greens are slow.

Not fun putting on punched greens. Save your money

If you are from the the East Coast, be prepared for VERY slow greens. This is due to the type of grass used here. This fact brought a degree of frustration to the game that somewhat spoiled it for me. The course is in perfect condition with a beautiful layout, but it does not having the amazing, almost distracting, golf holes that other Hawaiian courses have. This is a course set up for the true golfer, not the camera-wielding tourist out for an easy game.

The course was in great shape,beautiful, and a great challenge. It was a joy to play.

Beautiful course in excellent condition. Several holes on the water.

Playing in Kauai is not cheap, but we found this course to be the most cost effective in Princeville and Makai did not disappoint. Beautifully maintained, unbelievable views, and challenging throughout with a lot of sand. We felt like we were the only ones on the course, too. I would definitely play this course again. If you get a great deal on your tee time and are considering playing another round, ask them if they'll match the rate when you check in...chances are they will.

The Makai Course has some shorter, easier holes, as well as some longer, more difficult holes. The holes along the coast on each 9 are incredible - be sure to take your camera!
All of the greens have multiple tiers, and you need to reach the correct tier if you want to score. Awesome course!