Kauai Golf

Ask Robert Trent Jones II, who has been designing golf courses in Hawaii for more than 40 years, to define what it is that makes golf in the islands so unique, and he answers without hesitation, “There’s a beautiful wildness to Hawaii. And a wonderful spirit of aloha everywhere you go. Best of all, most of the courses have ocean views. The combination of these things makes playing golf in Hawaii unique in the world, and as good as it gets.”  
The wild landscape of Hawaii’s 80-plus courses varies from dense jungle to seaside links; from vast fields of black lava to verdant mountain pastures. But the essence of Jones’ “beautiful wildness” is most easily found on Kauai. With its majestic green mountains ribbed with knife-like ridgelines, thick and colorful foliage, and hidden beaches that ring the island, Kauai is everyone’s idea of the idyllic tropical paradise.

A PERFECT LANDSCAPE FOR GOLF

“Kauai is a perfect landscape for golf,” Jones says. “Although everyone immediately recognizes the dramatic beauty of the ocean, Kauai also has spectacular inland views of the rugged mountain ranges.”
He’s right, though perhaps he’s not the most impartial commentator. In addition to owning a home in Hanalei for many years, Jones has stamped his signature on several of the island’s best golf courses, including the Princeville Prince course, which annually ranks as one of the top courses in Hawaii, and its recently renovated sister, the Makai Golf Club at Princeville.