The “Garden Island” of Kauai offers much natural beauty around every corner. There are many sites to see and outdoor activities to participate in. The island is also heaven for golfers, with at least 10 different courses to choose from that include ocean and mountain views.

Golfers can enjoy a variety of courses on the North, South and East shores of Kauai. Each with a different price point and level of difficulty, and most importantly, beautiful scenery to be seen at each location. The resort courses are world class but don’t miss out on the local muni as it is one of the best in Hawaii.

Princeville is a must see on the North Shore, but it is does rain there quite a bit, well actually, it rains quite a lot, like all the time. Be sure to bring your umbrella. Your first clue will be a full zippered enclosure for the entire golf cart. It’s not only to protect from rain, but from torrential downpours and strong winds that blow the rain sideways. Aside from the weather, if you are a trooper and don’t mind getting wet, or if you're lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, the three Princeville courses are well worth the trip.

The East Shore of Kauai includes one of the best municipal courses in Hawaii, as well as two amazing courses in Lihue, including the newest course on island and a local favorite. You may recognize Lihue as the place where you started your vacation. The courses here are near the airport, and in fact, are pretty darn close to directly under the flight path. The scenery is beautiful, and the courses are challenging, but definitely you will notice the air traffic coming and going. If you’re looking to get in one last round before your trip home, Kauai Lagoons has some of the best ocean holes on Kauai.

You’ll find a couple of great golf options on Kauai’s South shore including a 9-hole course perfect for beginners as well as the famous Poipu Bay Golf Course which has been featured on the PGA tour. The most important thing to know about all of these courses, as with most in Hawaii, is that wind will be a factor. The trade winds, or “trades”, are well known on all of the islands, and some courses are better protected than others. These courses really are not. Best to get your tee times as early as possible, finish golf before the trades pick up, and then enjoy the rest of your day doing other activities. Don’t be fooled by lower afternoon green fees. There is a reason for that and likely you will get what you pay for.

Hawaii golf offer something special that cannot find anywhere else and should not be missed. The scenery truly is breathtaking, from ocean views to mountain and rolling hills, wonderfully green lawns and plenty of lava hazards. You must be sure to pack your camera and the rain gear.