Puakea Golf Course is located at 4150 Nuhou Street in Lihue, Hawaii, only a short drive from Lihue Airport. The course sits near the base of Mount Haupu and offers a distinctly Kauai golf experience, combining rolling fairways with volcanic terrain, ravines, tropical vegetation, and distant ocean views.
Designed by golf-course architect Robin Nelson, Puakea is an 18-hole, par-72 public course that measures approximately 6,954 yards from the back tees. Different tee positions make the layout accessible to a broad range of golfers while still presenting strategic challenges for experienced players.
The course is known for variety. Rather than repeating similar hole designs, players encounter changing elevations, different sight lines, bunkers, water features, and natural hazards throughout the round.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 4150 Nuhou St, Lihue, HI 96766 |
| Phone | (808) 977-3777 |
| Hours | Monday–Sunday: 07:00–18:00 |
| Golf Course | 18-hole public golf course |
| Facilities | Driving Range, Putting Green, Short Game Area, Practice Bunker, Pro Shop, Clubhouse |
Puakea Golf Course operates daily from approximately 07:00 to 18:00. Tee-time availability can vary according to season, daylight, weather, tournaments, maintenance, and demand.
The course encourages golfers to reserve online because the booking system displays available tee times and current pricing in real time. Early morning times are popular with players who want cooler temperatures, while later rounds may offer lower green fees.
Puakea Golf Course green fees can vary by booking date and tee time. Current published visitor reference pricing lists approximately $179 before 12:00 noon and $139 after 12:00 noon.
| Green Fee Category | Published Reference Rate | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor – Before 12 PM | Approximately $179 | 18 holes, warm-up range balls, applicable golf cart |
| Visitor – After 12 PM | Approximately $139 | 18 holes, warm-up range balls, applicable golf cart |
| Kamaʻaina | Special Hawaii resident rates may apply | Valid Hawaii ID required |
| Extra Cart | Approximately $25 when required | Subject to cart availability |
Puakea’s official FAQ states that the green fee includes up to 18 holes, warm-up range balls, and the applicable carts for the pairing. The course does not currently advertise a separate 9-hole rate.
Puakea maintains a clear but practical golf dress code. Players and adult riders should arrive in appropriate golf attire.
The current rules require a collared shirt or mock-neck shirt. Appropriate slacks, shorts, skirts, or dresses should be worn while playing.
Golf shoes, tennis shoes, or golf sandals are accepted, while bare feet are not permitted. Additional course information also advises against denim and swimwear.
| Clothing / Footwear | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Collared or mock-neck shirt | Yes – required for players and adult riders |
| Golf shorts or slacks | Yes |
| Golf skirts or dresses | Yes |
| Golf shoes | Yes |
| Tennis shoes | Yes |
| Golf sandals | Yes |
| Denim / swimwear | Not appropriate for course play |
| Bare feet | No |
Puakea offers several practice areas that allow golfers to prepare different parts of their game before a round.
The driving range is open to the public and normally operates from approximately 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Wednesday opening is later, while Tuesday evening operations may finish earlier for maintenance.
The putting green gives golfers an opportunity to adjust to local green speeds, while the short-game area and practice bunker allow players to work on chips, pitches, and sand shots.
These facilities are particularly useful at Puakea because the course’s undulating greens and varied terrain can place a premium on short-game control.
Puakea Golf Course generally receives strong feedback for its scenery, varied hole design, mountain backdrop, and overall value compared with some of Hawaii’s higher-priced resort courses.
Review data published by TeeOff currently shows approximately 94.9% positive golfer feedback from more than 460 reviews. Players commonly highlight the scenery around Mount Haupu, tropical surroundings, and the variety of challenges created by ravines and elevation changes.
Not every review is identical. Individual experiences can vary according to course conditions, pace of play, weather, price expectations, and maintenance schedules. Kauai’s subtropical climate also means short rain showers can occur even on otherwise playable days.
For the most useful picture of current conditions, compare recent player feedback with Puakea’s latest course information before booking.
A tropical 18-hole course with elevation changes, practice facilities, and varied terrain benefits from quiet, reliable transportation. Golf carts manufactured by Tara EV are well suited to golf-course environments where comfort and efficient fleet management are priorities.
Electric carts can help move players between holes while limiting engine noise around tees and greens. For course operators, GPS-based fleet technology can also provide useful information about vehicle position and movement.
The Spirit Air is a two-seat golf cart designed for course use. Its configuration provides room for two golfers and their equipment while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for golf paths.
A GPS fleet-management system can provide real-time information about cart location and vehicle activity, allowing staff to understand how the fleet moves through an 18-hole course.
The Spirit Plus offers another two-seat solution for golf facilities seeking modern electric transportation. It combines course-oriented features with passenger comfort and fleet-management technology.
For a facility like Puakea, where golfers travel through varied terrain and between multiple practice and clubhouse areas, modern electric carts can support both operational efficiency and the player experience.
GPS-enabled carts can help course staff monitor vehicle positions, track movement, improve fleet allocation, and respond more efficiently when assistance is required. For busy public courses, this type of information can provide useful operational visibility throughout the day.
Tara EV offers golf-oriented electric vehicles designed to combine quiet operation with technology that can support modern course management.
Tara Spirit Air and Spirit Plus provide two-seat electric golf-cart options with GPS fleet-management capabilities that can support comfortable transportation and efficient daily course operations.
Puakea Golf Course combines an 18-hole public layout, dramatic Kauai scenery, extensive practice facilities, straightforward dress requirements, and visitor-friendly amenities. Booking online, checking current green fees, arriving early, and preparing for changing tropical weather can help make the round smoother, while modern electric carts such as the Tara Spirit Air and Spirit Plus can support comfortable transportation across the course.
