Poipu Bay Golf Course

Location and Design

On the south shore of the island of Kauai Robert Trent Jones II crafted the 6,959-yard Poipu Bay Golf Course eight stories above the Pacific Ocean amid ancient lava flows, archaeological sites, the remains of Hawaiian heiau (places of worship), ancient stone walls and broad acres of tropical flowers. This complex design encompasses such other natural features as steep drops, notable elevation gains, trade winds, and difficult, rocky terrain. The golf course melds with its surroundings.

Challenges and Features

Brisk winds blow in your favor on six holes, in your face on another six, and across on the remaining holes, and prove a major factor in club selection and strategy. In addition, seven water holes, 86 bunkers, and several cliffs add to the challenge. Three of the four par threes play over water; the par fours have wide, receptive fairways. The greens are set up to encourage creative short-game play, welcoming bump-and-runs or flop shots.

Finishing Holes

Poipu means “crashing,” and the four exceptional finishing holes play above breaking waves where surfers and monk seals gather. An ancient Hawaiian fishing temple lies en route to the sixteenth green. This downwind par four plays 501 yards from the longest of four sets of tees to a sloping fairway and a large, tri-bunkered green. Number seventeen presents a gorgeous 201-yard downhill, downwind odyssey to a green set between bunkers. The finishing hole supplies 550 yards of pink blossoms and a putting surface threatened by bunkers and a lake. The finale here is extremely dramatic, and the course overall combines subtle visual effects, skilled design, and expert craftsmanship to provide eighteen holes of versatile tournament caliber resort golf on a memorable site.

Hyatt Regency Kauai

The widely acclaimed Hyatt Regency Kauai is located close by to the Poipu Bay Golf Course. Featuring a driving range, outstanding ocean views, and a top-notch club house, this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design is a must-visit.