I visited the Kiahuna Golf Course one fine day in March. The weather was perfect, the sky blue and dotted with fluffy white clouds, and the temperature was in the mid-70s: it was THE perfect day for golf. I knew when I arrived that this was a special place. True, most golf courses are special places, at least to me, but this one was different. There’s an overwhelming sense of history about Kiahuna, and the quiet beauty of the course is overwhelming.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, Kiahuna opened for play in 1984, and was Poipu Beach’s first resort golf course. Since then it has undergone a change in ownership and a major refurbishment. The result is one of the best public access golf courses I’ve seen anywhere.

Surrounded by the lush, natural beauty of Kaua’i, Kiahuna is a veritable botanical garden of lush tropical plants, ancient ruins, lava rock walls, and meandering streams and creeks; all this set against the magnificent backdrop Mt. Kahili.

Robert Trent Jones II's layout includes ancient remnants of an authentic Hawaiian village, a long-abandoned Portuguese dwelling, and a cave system that's home to the rare and endangered Koloa Blind Wolf Cave Spider (it’s on the 2nd fairway) into the design of the Kiahuna Golf Club.

Kiahuna plays 6,925 yards off the back tee - a par 70 with a rating of 73.5 and a slope 134. It's a long par 70 and, when the wind blows, even longer. Most of the landing areas are generous and forgiving, but it’s easy to be deceived: water hazards and numerous bunkers mean there’s trouble waiting around every turn.

If I had to rate the course, I’d grade it high: the overall beauty of the course, its thoughtful design, and the challenge it offers to players of all levels of skill, make it one of the best public access courses, I think, on Kaua’i.
Rates:
18 with cart - $95
Contact:
808-742-9595
www.kiahunagolf.com