Wailua Golf Course
Wailua Golf Course offers an 18-hole municipal layout that combines scenic coastal views with well-maintained fairways and greens. Ideal for golfers of all levels, this Kauai course presents a balanced playing experience framed by gentle elevation changes and ocean breezes.
Course Overview
Wailua Golf Course, located on Kauai's eastern shore, offers an inviting 18-hole layout that balances approachable play with a striking coastal setting. Classified as a municipal course, it manages to defy typical expectations with its well-maintained fairways and greens that reflect genuine care and upkeep. The course sits just steps from the Pacific Ocean, providing players with views that shift with each hole—from shimmering ocean vistas to lush tropical foliage lining the fairways.
The design favors golfers of all abilities, featuring a mix of wide fairways that accommodate less experienced players alongside strategically placed bunkers and undulating greens that challenge more skilled golfers. Several holes run close to the shoreline, where the trade winds become a subtle, ever-present factor shaping shot selection and tempo. Elevation changes are modest but consistent, adding interest without demanding punishing shots.
Wailua’s conditioning stands out among municipal courses. Tee boxes are thick with grass, and fairways maintain a healthy, vibrant tone throughout the round, avoiding common municipal pitfalls like bare patches or sandy spots. The greens roll true, with gentle breaks that reward careful reading and precise pace. Sand bunkers around the greens provide necessary challenges but are well-kept and playable.
Amenities include a driving range with mats and a chipping area, enabling players to warm up before teeing off. The putting green offers a solid space to dial in touch, essential given the subtle green contours across the course. While the pro shop is modest in size, it offers rental clubs and some golfing essentials, all reasonably priced.
Though Wailua lacks on-site dining, the friendly and helpful staff enhance the welcoming atmosphere. Golf carts run on gasoline and are available by request, though walking remains a popular choice given the course’s manageable terrain. Overall, Wailua Golf Course delivers a scenic, refreshing round that invites players to test their game while absorbing Kauai’s coastal charm in an accessible, affordable package.
Course Highlights
Wailua Golf Course stands out for its ocean-adjacent holes providing panoramic water views and gentle coastal breezes that subtly influence shot-making. The course’s conditioning surpasses usual municipal standards with lush tee boxes and smooth, responsive greens. Its approachable layout balances wide fairways and thoughtful hazards, making it suitable for casual players while still engaging low handicappers. The presence of a dedicated chipping area and quality putting green support thorough pre-round preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Anil Panguluri
I mean, if your golf carts are still running on gas, come on. For what they charge for the round they can/should upgrade to better carts. Plus, my sandwich has cockroaches feasting on them before I got to the third hole. Yuck. But then, the course was spectacular. With views of the ocean, wide fairways and tidy greens. The staff at checkin and the pro shop was super friendly. It got hot in the afternoon but if you stay i the shade you can have a very memorable round.
Leo Cumlat
Mike G
This is a municipal golf course that doesn't look or feel like a municipal corse. This is an awesome golf course that everyone visiting Kauai should play. The whole course is well maintained and beautiful. Several holes are along the beach and offer scenic views. The tee boxes are very nice here, not bare dirt or sand, lots of grass.thwy keep the tee box grass is cut and not left long or crazy. The fairways are really nice throughout the course. No bare dirt patches, just nice grass. There are not that many fairway bunkers, but I did find one on the 18th. The rough can be difficult. It does get a little thick in areas. This is not a flat course, so there will be hills on the left or right of the fairways. A few of the holes do have water hazards, but if you plan correctly, these can be avoided. This course does have trees throughout, some holes have a lot on the sides, and some don't. Look ahead to avoid. This course has a good mix of wide and narrower fairways, nothing ridiculously narrow . The greens are really nice here. They are well maintained. The ball rolls smoothly and doesn't bounce all over the place. There is undulation and different breaks, but it is still fun and challenging. The green side bunkers are in good condition and have sand to hit out if. You still don't want to be in them. Some bunkers are wide, and some are pretty deep, unless you're good out of bunkers... not me. Amenities: -driving range- there is a driving range here, mats only. The balls are a good price, and the mats are alright. You get the balls from the Pro Shop. -putting green- the putting is a good practice area and gets you ready for the course, no chipping here. -Chipping area-there is a separate Chipping area. Similar to putting green, but narrower, still a good practice area to warm up. -Pro shop-the pro shop is small, but there is some good stuff here and priced good. If you're lucky, you are there to catch a sale or deal. -No restaurant or place to buy food on property. We have been here a few times when we visited, and we will continue to come back. Great course that is fun but still makes you think about your shots and placement.
Whitney Liechti
Gorgeous municipal course with several holes right along the ocean. Course was in great condition and is very reasonably priced for how beautiful the course is!
Kushiah Mccullough
Great value. Nice greens. Well kept. For the value, I would choose this over any high-priced course. Super nice staff. They have very decent rental clubs. If you're not a golf snob, this is the spot.
Kellee K
Beautiful golf course. Hard to call it a Municipal Golf Course. Very well maintained. And, the view at all of the holes, particularly #17 WOW! what a view. Staff very friendly & personable from the check in to the starter. Sad there wasn't any food or drinks available, but I read another review & it sounds like the food service needs help! Only negative was the attitude of the pro shop pro. Rude upon arrival, even when we went the day prior to check out the rental clubs to make sure they had a set for me. He asked question after question regarding our golfing, and how often we golf, our handicap, etc. I realize there are a lot of folks who come out in vacation & tear up the facilities. But, honestly, He'd get a lot further with folks with an attitude adjustment. Definitely worth it to play at this course. Next time I may bring my own clubs, which may produce a better demeanor out of the pro.
Mark Dean
The course is beautiful for a municipal course. However, the atmosphere here is horribly malignant. For a muni, they asked me when I scheduled if I was a beginner and then when I got there they asked for the handicap of all the golfers playing. There were signs everywhere about pace of play and being banned from coming back there. We were relatively slow (about 10 minutes behind pace of play) and when we finished the range marshal asked me if there was anyone slowing us down. I said no and that we were the slow ones. He proceeded to tell me that they have tee times every 6 minutes, and that most courses do every 10-14 minutes and the way they make an additional $3000 dollars a day. He then told me my group cost him $3000 dollars for the day because of how slow we were playing. I understand pace of play is important, but when I paid 130 dollars for a relatively well maintained course I don't expect to be accused in that way. It definitely turned me off from ever coming back to this course. We were ten minutes over the pace of play... Additional comments. Driving range is on mats. A little cheap feeling. Maybe other days they allow grass, but it didn't look that way. The pro shop is barely there and there are only vending machines for snacks. There is no water jugs on the course except for the turn so be prepared with lots of your own water. Overall, it seems like this place has the attitude of an expensive private course with the ammendities I would expect from a crappy municipal course. The course was beautiful, but being in Hawaii what isnt? I will not be returning to this course and would not recommend going here if you have a handicap over 10.
Jared Robinson
Beautiful golf course next to the ocean with challenging holes. Staff were even kind enough to mail my rangefinder back to me after I accidentally left it while on vacation.
brooke Harmala
A pretty golf course but you get what you pay for compared to the other golf courses on the island. Rude workers and bad rental clubs. Also we bumped into some nice locals on the course and some gosh awful ones. Haha get the full awesome experience on another course
Adam Rongey
Didn’t play here but it looks awesome and extremely affordable. Wish i could have played.
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Course Details
Access & Location
3-5350 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Small pro shop offering rentals and essentials
Walking encouraged; terrain mostly gentle with some mild elevation changes—comfortable golf shoes recommended.
Open to the public; tee times recommended during peak seasons
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