Overview
The Ocean Course at Hokuala is highlighted by the oceanfront holes on the back nine, which offer tremendous views of the Pacific and nearby mountains. Nos. 14-16 on this Jack Nicklaus design present some dramatic—and challenging—shots along the ocean. The short par-4 16th can be reachable for longer hitters, but the narrow opening to the small green is closely guarded by the Pacific, creating a risk-reward opportunity. A word of advice from Nicklaus, who told Hokuala, “The smart play is usually to hit a hybrid or 3-iron, leaving you a little wedge down to the green.”
About
Awards
100 Greatest: Ranked 88th, 1993-'94.
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 5, 1991-'93, 2003. Ranked inside the top 10, 1995-2001, 2005-'07. Ranked 13th, 2023-'24. Ranked 15th, 2019-'20. Ranked inside the top 15, 2009.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Do not miss playing this course if you visit Kauai! Uncle Ricky is the starter and makes you feel the Aloha spirit!"
Read More2024
Review
“Interesting golf course especially on the back which offers excellent ocean vistas and several challenging risk reward opportunities. Front nine is mostly played along relatively flat wooded terrain with holes moving gently left and right throughout. Very good mix of long and short holes with a number of elevated greens (especially on the front side) and deep green side bunkers impacting the challenge of playing the course. Back nine is where the course shines. Holes 14 - 16 are played along and over the ocean requiring correct club selection to score. When played course played as expected for an island course in terms of firmness and speed. However, there were numerous dead spots on the tees and fairways especially on the front which impacted the conditioning of the course. Apparently, the course had recently made an extensive effort to irradicate intrusive grasses. Unfortunately, it was overly distractive when playing the course."
Read More2024
Review
“Hokuala (formerly known as Kauai Lagoons) sits above the Marriott / Sonesta resort in Lihue (southern Kauai). A Jack Nicklaus design, this is a resort course that charges upward of $300 to play. The course is a tail of two different 9's, the front is very straight forward and long with 3-par 5's located next to the Lihue airport. The back side brings in the attractive ocean holes and most often the wind. This course has been remodeled / updated over the years to accommodate the new resorts / homes being built in the area. The character of the course is still intact, but the resort conditioning leaves must to be desired. The fairways are soggy & slow due to over watering (green in color vs a firm / true roll out), the bunkers are packed with a red/clayish material that does not feel or act like sand. This is "riding" course (requested by the club) to keep the speed of play at 4.5 hours. The tropical Hawaiian beauty is everywhere as play weaves its way through the hilly property, including forest-filled mango trees, roosters, and the native Ne-Ne birds. The green complexes are good and will receive a well placed shot. However the conditioning / roll speed has been muted due to poor maintenance (slow rolling 7 - 7.5 and not consistent) likely due to the winds. The last 4-5 holes are fun and challenging. #14 is the down hill par-3 that requires a solid shot into the wind to a rather small green across the ocean. #15 is one of the newly rebuilt holes that also requirers a good second shot into a tight narrow green. #16 is the drivable par-4 that ends out by the lighthouse. The risk-reward here is interesting as the smart / local players rarely try to hit this green off of the tee. The back side ends with a long tee shot that sets us a good birdie opportunity unless the wind is blowing at you. The island style green gets a large number of water balls due to improper club selection when the wind distance is not given its fair number. Hokuala is a fun course to play but the lack if conditioning makes this $300 price tag difficult to swallow when there are several other local / muni courses in the area that offer a similar experience."
Read More2024
Review
“Visually pleasing and a very challenging Jack Nicklaus design. Possibly the best course on Kauai and there are quite a few."
Read More2023
Review
“Gorgeous course with some fun beautiful holes. Incredible clubhouse and practice facility. The highlight is the holes on the ocean."
Read More2022
Review
“Good course and a fun play if you're in the area."
Read More2022
Review
“Hokuala is a beautiful place, but like many properties in Hawaii, it is one in transition, having gone through several ownership changes in its 30+ year history. Combining two courses into one has deleted some mundane holes from the property, and visitors still come to play the stretch from 12 to 16, a spectacularly scenic hour+ spent on the cliffs that will have you telling stories both good and bad to your buddies back home. The last two holes have not aged well, especially played into a stiff breeze. New ownership is trying to infuse some refreshing and trendy cultural (both golfy and hawaiian) touches, but it's tough to escape the 90s Nicklaus Japanese-owned feel of the place."
Read More2022
Review
“One of my favorite courses in the islands. Generous fairways with playable rough and bunkers. Beautiful tropical jungle experience followed by amazing ocean views. Outstanding golf experience! Thanks for creating a great course Jack, Aloha!"
Read More2022
Review
“Solid layout can get tricky in the wind. Very nice ocean vistas on back nine with a pair of risk-reward, water laden par 3's."
Read More2022
Review
“Very scenic course. Front nine is routed in local forest, while most of holes on back nine play near the ocean. The par 4 11th hole, which plays into the wind and requires a second long shot overwater to an island green, is one of the hardest finishing holes you will ever play."
Read More2018
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