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
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
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“PM weaves along the coastline shared by the Napali coast with significant elevation change and sweeping vistas. Aesthetically stunning, the course offers a challenging course with variety. New bunkering has improved the sustainability of the course, and conditioning was firm despite the significant rainfall that Kauai receives."
Read More2024
Review
“The Makai GC at Princeville is located on the north shore of Kauai. It has seaside paspalum grass and is in good condition especially for the large amount of rain that they get every year. There were albatross nesting on several holes. It offers strong finishing holes and is a fun course for golfers of all abilities."
Read More2024
Review
“The Makai Golf Club is another property in transition, as it has been condensed into 18 holes from its former 27, and its counterpart the Prince Course has been inexplicably closed for 10 years (it plans to open as a private course in 2024, but I will believe it only when balls are in the air). After a recent renovation by the RTJ2 firm, the Makai has been re-infused with quality and interest on the ground that matches the off-course visual delights. It's tough to concentrate on the course features when the eye is treated to waterfall-draped south-sea mountains and crashing waves at almost ever turn, but the golf is very good too. The drop shot 3rd, cliffside 7th, and risk reward short par four 14th will get your attention, but the transition holes are good too, like the par-5 5th with angles abound, centerline hazards on 8 and 9, and skyline greens with nothing but ocean behind the pin on 6 and 12. The only weakness here is the waterlogged finish, but other than that, the Makai is well-positioned in the latter half of the US T100 Public."
Read More2022
Review
“I had not seen this course since the redesign, and marveled at the transition. New grass. Freshened bunkers. Stronger routing. Excellent shot options in terms of right, left, uphill, downhill, long, short, and forced carries. This is a resort course, no doubt, with wide and forgiving fairways, but the holes are still challenging. Holes present multiple options in terms of how to play them. I loved the course. Just flat-out loved it. Big-boned and almost grand in places (#2, #4, #7, #14). The 14th is my favorite. Considering the shot values, scenics, risks, rewards, and strategic options, it is as good a short par-4 as I have experienced. Many other people would praise the par-3, 7th----an excellent, all-or-nothing modified reverse redan played across a cliff and wary ravine with the trade winds at your back. How engrossing is the hole? Played the course two times, and both got so distracted that I left my yardage laser finder on the teeing ground and had to go back for it. Five sets of tees. Was most interesting to play with a couple in their 70's, and they had fun---taking completely different routes and strategies on some holes. Hence the 7 there. Staff is most friendly to panelists."
Read More2022
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."
Read More2022
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."
Read More2019
Review
“An interesting mix of some truly outstanding seaside holes and some super bland uninspiring holes inland."
Read More2018
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."
Read More2018
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."
Read More2018
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."
Read More2018
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