Golf Top 18
  • Home
  • Golf Course Reviews
    • Canada Golf Course Reviews >
      • Banff Springs Golf Course Review
      • Chateau Whistler Golf Course Review
      • Greywolf Golf Course Review
      • Kananaskis Mount Kidd Golf Course Review
      • Kananaskis Mount Lorette Golf Course Review
      • Nicklaus North Golf Course Review
      • Stewart Creek Golf Course Review
    • European Golf Course Reviews >
      • British Isles Golf Course Reviews >
        • Ireland Golf Course Reviews >
          • Ballybunion Cashen Course Review
          • Ballybunion Old Course Review
          • Dingle Golf Club Review
          • Dooks Golf Links Review
          • Doonbeg Golf Club Review
          • Druids Glen Golf Club Review
          • Druids Heath Golf Club Review
          • European Club Review
          • K Club (North) Golf Course Review
          • Killarney Mahony's Point Review
          • Lahinch Golf Club Review
          • Old Head Golf Links Review
          • Tralee Golf Links Review
          • Waterville Golf Links Review
        • Northern Ireland Golf Course Reviews >
          • Portstewart Old Course Review
          • Portstewart Strand Golf Course Review
          • Royal County Down Golf Club Review
          • Royal Portrush Dunluce Links Review
        • Scotland Golf Course Reviews >
          • Prestwick Golf Club Review
          • Prestwick St. Nicholas Golf Club Review
          • Royal Troon Old Course Review
          • Troon Portland Course Review
          • Turnberry Ailsa Course Review
          • Turnberry Kintyre Course Review
      • Luxembourg Golf Course Reviews >
        • Golf de Clervaux Review
        • Golf-Club Grand-Ducal Review
        • Golf de Luxembourg Belenhaff Review
        • Kikuoka Country Club Review
      • Other Continental Europe Golf Course Reviews >
        • Dijon-Bourgogne Review, France
        • Golf Club Trier Review, Germany
        • Preisch Golf Club Review, France
      • Turkey Golf Course Reviews >
        • Cornelia Golf Club, Gaius – Tiberius Review
        • Gloria Golf Club (New Course) Review
        • National Golf Club Review, Turkey
    • Mexico / Caribbean Golf Course Reviews >
      • Cabo Del Sol - Desert Course Review
      • Cabo Del Sol - Ocean Course Review
      • Club Campestre Review
      • Diamante Dunes Course Review
      • Diamante El Cardonal Review
      • Moon Palace Golf Club Review
      • Palmas Del Mar - Flamboyan Course Review
      • Palmas Del Mar - Palm Course Review
      • Palmilla Golf Club Review
      • Puerto Los Cabos Review
      • Quivira Golf Course Review
      • Royal Isabela Golf Course Review
    • United States Golf Course Reviews >
      • Central USA Golf Course Reviews >
        • Blackwolf Run River Course Review, Wisconsin
        • Cog Hill #4, Dubsdread Golf Course Review, Illinois
        • Eaglewood Resort & Spa Golf Course Review, Illinois
        • English Turn Golf Course Review, Louisiana
        • Gentle Creek Golf Club Review, Texas
        • Grapevine Golf Course Review, Texas
        • Irish Course at Whistling Straits Golf Course Review, Wisconsin
        • Lakewood New Orleans Golf Course Review, Louisiana
        • The Glen Club Golf Course Review, Illinois
        • The Bridges Golf Club Review, Texas
        • TPC Louisiana Golf Course Review, Louisiana
        • Whistling Straits Golf Course Review, Wisconsin
      • Eastern USA Golf Course Reviews >
        • Florida Golf Course Reviews >
          • Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course Review
          • Disney’s Palm Golf Course Review
          • Mystic Dunes Golf Course Review
          • Reunion Independence (Watson) Golf Course Review
          • Reunion Legacy (Palmer) Golf Course Review
          • Reunion Nicklaus Golf Course Review
          • Sawgrass Country Club Review (East-West) (South-East)
          • Streamsong Black Golf Course Review
          • Streamsong Blue Golf Course Review
          • Streamsong Red Golf Course Review
          • TPC Sawgrass, Dye’s Valley Course Review
          • TPC Sawgrass, Stadium Course Review
          • Trump Doral (Blue Monster) Golf Course Review
        • Maryland Golf Course Reviews >
          • Beechtree Golf Club Review
          • Bulle Rock Review
        • New York Golf Course Reviews >
          • Bethpage Black Golf Course Review
          • Bethpage Red Golf Course Review
          • Trump Ferry Point Golf Course Review
        • Virginia Golf Course Reviews >
          • 1757 Golf Club Review
      • Mountain TZ USA Golf Course Reviews >
        • Arizona Golf Course Reviews >
          • Desert Mountain, Cochise Course Review
          • Dinosaur Mountain Golf Course Review at Gold Canyon
          • McDowell Mountain Golf Course Review
          • Sidewinder Golf Course Review at Gold Canyon
          • Stonecreek Golf Club Review
          • TPC Scottsdale Golf Course Review
          • Troon North Monument Golf Course Review
          • Troon North Pinnacle Golf Course Review
          • We-ko-pa (Cholla) Golf Course Review
        • Idaho Golf Course Reviews >
          • Canyon Springs Golf Course Review
        • Montana Golf Course Reviews >
          • Eagle Bend Golf Club Review
        • New Mexico Golf Course Reviews >
          • Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course Review
          • Sandia Golf Course Review
          • Twin Warriors Golf Course Review
        • Utah Golf Course Reviews >
          • Coral Canyon Golf Course Review
          • Sand Hollow Golf Course Review
          • The Ledges Golf Course Review
        • Wyoming Golf Course Reviews >
          • Jackson Hole Golf Club Review
      • Western USA Golf Course Reviews >
        • California Golf Course Reviews >
          • Central California Golf Course Reviews >
            • Cypress Ridge Golf Course Review
            • Glen Annie Golf Club Review
            • La Purisima Golf Course Review
            • Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course Review
            • Rancho San Marcos Golf Course Review
            • Rio Bravo Golf Course Review
            • Sandpiper Golf Course Review
          • Inland Empire Golf Course Reviews, California >
            • Eagle Glen Golf Course Review
            • Empire Lakes Golf Course Review (closed 2016)
            • Green River Golf Club Review
            • Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet, Champions Course Review
            • Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet, Legends Course Review
            • Oak Quarry Golf Club Review
            • Los Serranos Country Club North Review
            • Los Serranos Country Club South Review
            • Temecula Creek Inn (Creek-Oaks Course) Review
            • Vellano Country Club Review
            • Western Hills Country Club Review
            • Yucaipa Valley Golf Club Review
          • Los Angeles County Golf Course Reviews, California >
            • Angeles National Golf Club Review
            • Balboa Golf Course Review
            • B.A.C.C. Review
            • Brookside Koiner (Course #1) Review
            • Brookside E.O. Nay (Course #2) Review
            • El Dorado Park Golf Club Review
            • Industry Hills Golf Club, Babe Zaharias Course Review
            • Industry Hills Golf Club, Eisenhower “Ike” Course Review
            • Lakewood Country Club Golf Course Review
            • The Links at Victoria Golf Course Review
            • Los Verdes Golf Course Review
            • Malibu Country Club Review
            • Mountain Gate (North/South) Golf Course Review
            • Palos Verdes Golf Club Review
            • Rancho Park Golf Course Review
            • Recreation Park Golf Course Review
            • R.H.C.C. Review
            • Robinson Ranch, Mountain Golf Course Review
            • Robinson Ranch, Valley Course Review
            • Skylinks at Long Beach Golf Course Review
            • Trump National Golf Course Review
            • W.C.C. Review
          • Orange County Golf Course Reviews, California >
            • Aliso Viejo Golf Course Review
            • Black Gold Golf Course Review
            • Costa Mesa (Los Lagos) Review
            • Coyote Hills Golf Club Review
            • Cypress Golf Club (closed 2008) Review
            • Meadowlark Golf Course Review
            • Mile Square, the Classic Course Review
            • Mile Square, the Players Course Review
            • Mission Viejo Country Club Review
            • Monarch Beach Golf Links Review
            • Navy Destroyer Course Review
            • Newport Beach Country Club Review
            • Oak Creek Golf Club Review
            • Old Ranch Country Club Review
            • Pelican Hill Golf Club, Ocean North Review
            • Pelican Hill Golf Club, Ocean South Review
            • Rancho San Joaquin Golf Club Review
            • San Juan Hills Golf Club Review
            • Sea Cliff Country Club Review
            • Shorecliffs Golf Course Review
            • Strawberry Farms Golf Club Review
            • Talega Golf Club Review
            • Tijeras Creek Golf Club Review
            • Tustin Ranch Golf Club Review
            • Westridge Golf Club Review
          • Northern California Golf Course Reviews >
            • Crystal Springs Golf Course Review
            • DeLaveaga Golf Course Review
            • Fort Ord, Bayonet Golf Course Review
            • Half Moon Bay Ocean Course Review
            • Half Moon Bay Old Course Review
            • Harding Park Golf Course Review
            • The Links at Spanish Bay Review
            • Monterey Peninsula C.C. Dunes Course Review
            • Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course Review
            • Pasatiempo Golf Club Review
            • Pebble Beach Golf Links Review
            • Poppy Hills Golf Course Review
            • Presidio Golf Course Review
            • Rancho Canada West Course Review
            • Spyglass Hill Golf Course Review
            • Windsor Golf Course Review
          • Palm Springs Area, California Golf Course Reviews >
            • Cimarron Golf Resort, Boulder Golf Course Review
            • Classic Club Golf Review
            • Desert Dunes Golf Club Review
            • Desert Falls Country Club Review
            • Desert Springs Palm Course Review
            • Desert Willow Golf Resort, Firecliff Golf Course Review
            • Desert Willow Golf Resort, Mountain View Golf Course Review
            • Eagle Falls Golf Course Review
            • Indian Canyons South Course Review
            • Indian Springs Golf and Country Club Review
            • Indian Wells Celebrity Course Review
            • Indian Wells Players Course Review
            • La Quinta Dunes Golf Course Review
            • La Quinta Mountain Course Review
            • Mesquite Golf & Country Club Review
            • PGA West Nicklaus Private Course Review
            • PGA West Nicklaus Tournament Course Review
            • PGA West Norman Course Review
            • PGA West Palmer Course Review
            • PGA West Stadium Course Review
            • PGA West Weiskopf Private Course Review
            • Rancho Las Palmas Golf Course, West – North Review
            • Rancho Mirage Country Club Review
            • The Reserve Golf Course Review
            • Shadow Hills Golf Club Review
            • Shadow Ridge Golf Club Review
            • Silverrock Resort Golf Course Review
            • Tahquitz Creek, Resort Golf Course Review
            • Terra Lago Golf Club, North Course Review
            • Terra Lago Golf Club, South Course Review
            • Trilogy at La Quinta Golf Review
            • Woodhaven Country Club Review
          • San Diego County, California Golf Course Reviews >
            • Arrowood Golf Course Review
            • Aviara Golf Club at Park Hyatt Review
            • The Bridges Golf Course Review
            • The Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Course Review
            • La Costa Resort and Spa North Golf Course Review
            • La Costa Resort and Spa South Golf Course Review
            • Lake San Marcos Country Club Review
            • Meadow Lake Golf Course Review
            • Riverwalk Golf Course Review
            • Torrey Pines North Course Review
            • Torrey Pines South Course Review
            • Twin Oaks Golf Course Review
          • Ventura County, California Golf Course Reviews >
            • Buenaventura Golf Course Review
            • Camarillo Springs Golf Course Review
            • Elkins Ranch Golf Course Review
            • Los Robles Greens Golf Course Review
            • Lost Canyons, Shadow Course Review
            • Lost Canyons, Sky Course Review
            • Moorpark Country Club. Canyon Crest-Creekside Review
            • Moorpark Country Club, Ridgeline-Creekside Review
            • Ojai Valley Inn Golf Course Review
            • Olivas Links Golf Course Review
            • River Ridge Golf Club, Victoria Lakes Review
            • River Ridge Golf Club, Vineyard Course Review
            • Rustic Canyon Golf Course Review
            • Saticoy Country Club Review
            • Simi Hills Golf Course Review
            • Soule Park Golf Course Review
            • Sterling Hills Golf Club Review
            • Tierra Rejada Golf Club Review
        • Hawaii Golf Course Reviews >
          • Big Island Golf Course Reviews >
            • Big Island Country Club Review
            • Hapuna Golf Course Review
            • Hualalai Golf Course Review
            • Kona Country Club Ocean Course Review
            • Mauna Kea Golf Course Review
            • Mauna Lani Resort North Course Review
            • Mauna Lani Resort South Course Review
            • Waikoloa Beach Course Review
          • Kauai Golf Course Reviews >
            • Hokuala Ocean Course Review
            • Kiahuna Golf Club Review
            • The Makai Course at Princeville Review
            • Poipu Bay Golf Course Review
            • Puakea Golf Course Review
            • The Prince Course at Princeville Review
            • Wailua Municipal Golf Course Review
          • Lanai Golf Course Reviews >
            • The Challenge at Manele Review
            • The Experience at Koele Review
          • Maui Golf Course Reviews >
            • Elleair Maui Golf Club Review
            • Makena Resort North Course Review
            • Makena Resort South Course (closed in 2008)
            • Plantation Course at Kapalua Review
            • Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course Review
            • Wailea Golf Club, Emerald Course Review
            • Wailea Golf Club, Gold Course Review
            • Wailea Golf Club, Old Blue Course Review
          • Oahu Golf Course Reviews >
            • Ko’olau Golf Course Review (CLOSED 2020)
            • Ko Olina Golf Course Review
            • Turtle Bay (Palmer Course) Review
        • Nevada Golf Course Reviews >
          • Lake Tahoe / Reno Area Golf Course Reviews >
            • Coyote Moon Golf Course Review
            • Edgewood Golf Course Review
            • Empire Ranch Golf Course Review
            • Graeagle Meadows Golf Course Review
            • Gray's Crossing Golf Club Review
            • Incline Village Championship Golf Course Review
            • Incline Village Mountain Golf Course Review
            • Lake Tahoe Golf Course Review
            • Northstar Resort Golf Course Review
            • Old Greenwood Golf Course Review
            • Redhawk Golf Club, Lakes Course – pre 2007 redesign
            • Resort at Squaw Creek Golf Course Review
            • Schaffer's Mill Golf Course Review
            • Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch Review
            • Sunridge Golf Club Review
            • Wolf Run Golf Club Review
          • Las Vegas Area Golf Course Review >
            • Angel Park Mountain Golf Course Review
            • Arroyo Golf Club Review
            • Badlands, Desperado - Diablo, Golf Course Review (deceased 2017)
            • Bali Hai Golf Club Review
            • Cascata Golf Club Review
            • Coyote Springs Golf Course Review
            • The Falls Golf Course (closed in 2008) Review
            • Highland Falls Golf Club Review
            • Las Vegas National Golf Club Review
            • The Legacy Golf Club Review
            • Paiute Golf Resort Snow Mountain Course Review
            • Paiute Golf Resort Sun Mountain Course Review
            • Paiute Golf Resort Wolf Course Review
            • Primm Valley, Desert Golf Course Review
            • Primm Valley, Lakes Golf Course Review
            • Reflection Bay Golf Course Review
            • The Revere Golf Club Review, Concord Course
            • The Revere Golf Club Review, Lexington Course
            • Royal Links Course Review
            • TPC Las Vegas Golf Club Review
            • TPC Summerlin Golf Club Review
            • Wolf Creek Course Review
            • Wynn Golf Club Review
          • Other Nevada Golf Course Review >
            • Emerald River Golf Course (Deceased)
            • Mojave Resort Golf Course Review
        • Oregon Golf Course Reviews >
          • Bandon Dunes Golf Course Review
          • Bandon Preserve Golf Course Review
          • Bandon Trails Golf Course Review
          • Gearhart Golf Course Review
          • Old MacDonald Golf Course Review
          • Pacific Dunes Golf Course Review
          • Running Y Golf Course Review
          • Sheep Ranch Golf Course Review
          • The Golf Club of Oregon Golf Course Review
        • Washington Golf Course Reviews >
          • Chambers Bay Golf Course Review
    • Southern Hemisphere Golf Course Reviews >
      • Cape Kidnappers Golf Course Review
      • Denarau Golf Club Review
      • Jack's Point Golf Course Review
      • Kinloch Golf Course Review
    • Golf Course Review Awards
  • Golf Top 18
    • Favorite Courses
    • Favorite Holes - The Dream 18
    • Favorite Holes - The Second 18
    • Favorite Holes - The Third 18
    • Favorite Holes - The Par Threes
    • Favorite Holes - The Par Fours
    • Favorite Holes - The Par Fives
    • The Honorable Mentions
  • Recent Courses Blog
  • More

Hawaii, Kauai Golf Course Reviews

Hokuala Ocean Course Review

Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
76.2 rating; 142 slope 

Review by GolfTop18
Rating: 5 out of 5
Year Last Reviewed: 2014
More Info on Rating Criteria
Kauai Lagoons Golf Scorecard
Kauai Lagoons Golf Scorecard from the longest tees, as of the date of last review
Hokuala Ocean Course Overview:  A perfect combination of golf hole variance, ocean views, lush grounds and great shot making requirements makes this Kauai golf course one of the best in the entire world.  Redesigned in 2012 to make way for a couple of resort master plans in the rebranded Hokuala Resort, this Nicklaus golf course design meanders through jungles of mango trees and other Kauai foliage on the front nine and along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean with the final six hole stretch being one of the most beautiful and challenging anywhere on earth.  There are only a small number of golf holes where the adrenaline won’t be pumping on at least one shot, and it’s all in the wonderful Kauai climate.  See the top golf holes review below: 
Similar Golf Course Reviews:
- Makai Golf Club
- Poipu Bay Golf Course
- Wailua Golf Course
- Kiahuna Golf Club
- Princeville Prince
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 2:  The front has three relatively short par fives, all of which provide good chances to score if a good drive is hit.  This one is fairly wide-open on the tee shot, with the only real trouble being the large series of bunkers that sit on the right side of the 2nd shot and the green.  The putting surface is wide, but very narrow with a low area over the green.  Thus short irons played from the left are pretty easy, but holding the green with a long shot in is a more difficult proposition.
Hokuala Ocean Course Golf #2 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 3:  This tough par four has bunkers in the middle of the fairway, which essentially makes the space between that and the trees on either side not very wide.  The second shot is uphill to a tight and contoured green surrounded by a lot of bunkers that will make for tough up and down pars.
Hokuala Ocean Course #3 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 5:  A great and beautiful par 3 with a long carry over an enormous and deep mango forest (that the player gets to drive his cart down and through in an uniquely Hawaiian experience).  Anything short will fall to its doom or be mired in one of two huge bunkers that also wrap around the left side of the green.  There is a bail out area right, but it’s still a long carry over the jungle.  The backdrop of the coastal Kauai mountain ranges and native flora make this hole as beautiful as it is fun and challenging. 
Hokuala Ocean Course #5 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 6:  A great Hawaiian par 5 dog leg right.  The drive has a carry over another mango jungle and the farther right the drive goes, the longer the carry, but the shorter the second shot will be.  This golf shot also brings the huge fairway bunker into play.  However, if the drive is mastered, the green is relatively wide open and can be reached in two, although anything right is still either in a deep bunker (best case) or gone.
Hokuala Ocean Course #6 Golf Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 8:  A tiny, downhill par three with a small green that is fronted short and right by a pretty little lake.  Simple on paper, but the trade winds have a tendency to blow shots right into the water.  The over-careful tee shot will leave a downhill chip to a green running away from the player.
Hokuala Ocean Course Golf Hole #8 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 11:  One of the new holes, this par four is fairly straight but the fairway pinches in for longer drives.  The green has a big bunker to the right and features a tier, making distance control key.
Hokuala Ocean Course #11 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 12:  This is a short, dogleg left par four and the main goal here is just simply to avoid the bunkers.  They are deep and turn a fairly simple hole into a real problem.  The green is also raised and usually tough to hold, so distance control is very important, but played with a short iron or wedge, quite manageable.
Hokuala Ocean Course #12 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 13:  This is where the course really begins to heat up with a long par four headed straight to the Pacific.  The downside to the hole is the proximity to the landing strip of the Lihue airport.  While no drive could ever hit a plane, it can't get loud from time to time.  The green is also tiered and tough to putt.
Hokuala Ocean Course #13 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 14:  A world-class, beyond beautiful, one-shot masterpiece over a cove in the Pacific Ocean.  Anything short or left will find the largest water hazard in the world.  The green has a tier and the surrounding traps are plentiful.  Very scary, but very fun, and a hole the player will never forget.
Hokuala Ocean Course #14 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 15:  One of the new golf holes after the course redesign, this par four has a bunker that general wisdom would stay to the right of.  The player can fly it or go left, but if hit too far, it will run down the cliffs.  The green is cut behind the coastal edge and a couple of deep bunkers and the downhill nature of the shot adds complexity.
Hokuala Ocean Course #15 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 16:  Set on a lava peninsula by a lighthouse, the tee shot should be an iron hit about 200 yards.  If pushed right, it will find a steep hillside, which will make the approach shot a lot more dangerous.  However, if pulled, it will find the Pacific Ocean.  The straight shot will leave a wedge to the downhill peninsula green with ocean short or left and a deep collection bunker behind.  The green is rock hard and the ideal shot will find the right front edge of the green and collect to the middle.  Chasing after a left pin placement is foolhardy and should never be attempted.  The views are unparalleled and this is another hole that won’t be forgotten.
Hokuala Ocean Course #16 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 17:  A short peninsula par 3 into the prevailing trade winds.  The green is very shallow and anything misjudged that misses the water will most likely catch the horseshoe shaped bunker that wraps around the right 50% of the green, but take enough club to stay dry.
Hokuala Ocean Course #17 Picture
Hokuala Ocean Course Hole 18:  A tough, but memorable finish to a great golf course.  The drive on this 400+ yard hole must be hit well to leave a short shot to the island green, which is surrounded, not only by water, but by bunkers as well.  Anything pushed right will find the water on the drive as well.
Hokuala Ocean Course #18 Picture

We've Reviewed All the Best Kauai Golf Courses.
Read More.

- Makai Golf Club
- Poipu Bay Golf Course
- Wailua Golf Course
- Kiahuna Golf Club
- Princeville Prince

Info on the Nicklaus Golf Course Design of the Hokuala Ocean Course.


New management for the former Kauai Lagoons Golf Courses and the re-brand.
We take your privacy very seriously and won't rent or sell your information.  
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use l Contact Us l About Us
Copyright of GolfTop18.com and Erin Melcher.  All Rights Reserved.