Yup, I realize how lucky I am. And grateful. Somehow, I’ve been able to take three golf trips in the past decade to Kauai, which may be the naturally prettiest of all the Hawaiian Islands. There are eight 18-hole courses on Kauai, with another private layout coming in early 2025.

Last week, I joined some friends there for a six-day golf venture. There have been some major modifications since my last visit. The first I found when checking into the brand-new 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. This luxury property used to be the St. Regis Princeville Resort, but the new owners dropped $500 million into a renovation. The result is spectacular. It’s unrecognizable from the last time I visited. Everything is different in the lobby area. There’s no more front desk. Instead, you sit down on comfortable chairs along with a representative who checks you in. What used to be a huge open space is now compartmentalized with gorgeous, serene and more intimate indoor/outdoor spaces – including a garden area with a massive grass wall, waterfalls and ponds. Didn’t think it was possible, but it’s even more upscale than before. The suite I stayed in was equally appointed, with separate sleeping and living room areas but still the same panoramic view of Hanalei Bay as my prior trip. The rooms and main area of the hotel are all now decorated with warmer colors, too, which emit a really nice vibe. Another cool note: Instead of getting a room key, you’re handed a floral Hawaiian ID&C wristband bearing a magnetic key to unlock your room door. Just put your wrist up against the pad on your door and it pops open.
I heard many people marveling over the technology. One night, we dined in the open-air 1 Kitchen restaurant. One word: outstanding. Also got to take a golf-centric Myofascial Release class in the Anatomy fitness center that proved to be invaluable at getting some knots out of my back, hips and legs for the week to come. I genuinely felt more flexible afterwards.

The first golf course we played was Princeville Makai Golf Club, which recently completed a six-month, $3 million course renovation and enhancement. Originally debuting in 1971, it’s widely considered to be Kauai’s premier layout. The renovation addressed agronomic issues caused by 78 inches of average rainfall per year, and included a comprehensive renovation to every bunker, drainage upgrades, and cart-path improvements throughout the property, and an aggressive aeration of the Seashore paspalum turf. The team was careful not to change the bunker carries but the fronts of the sand traps were made more guest-friendly. While 40 percent of the total bunker square footage was removed, it deliberately didn’t really change the way the course plays. The results are noticeable, as the course is nothing short of spectacular. Even though it was my third time playing it, I continued to be awed. Six holes hug the ocean at different points on the front and back nine. The greens are in incredible condition. We were warned up front that they were playing a little slow, but that actually kind of even made it easier to putt on. As the day warmed up, the greens rolled faster and became slightly more challenging. But these are 18 solid holes, and I think the course is outstanding for golfers of any skill level. I found the bunkers to be the biggest challenge to my game – I hit many of them. There’s also a reachable par 4 – the 14th hole – that can be a make-or-break risk as it plays along the ocean and a severe cliff. Most golfers rightfully go for it. After we played, we took the sunset cruise that the course offers. A representative takes guests in golf carts down to various spots of the course that overlook the ocean, while offering insight into the local wildlife and history. It’s pretty compelling.

Next morning, we ventured to the other side of the island – stopping at Wailua Golf Course, which is one of the top munis in America. Mainlanders pay $80 for weekday green fees, which is quite the deal on this locals-popular layout featuring several holes that either approach the beach or have ocean views. Just like the previous time I played here, the fairways and greens were in great condition. The signature par-3 17th hole veers downhill towards the Pacific. It offers par-breaking opportunities for most golfers – everyone in our group missed birdie putts to settle for par. And with all of the generous fairways and straightaway holes, you can expect a decent score and plenty of fun. The employees are also very nice and the clubuhouse will soon feature a new restaurant. If you can only play one affordable round during a Kauai visit, this is your place.

We later checked into the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, which is exactly the type of Hawaiian mega-hotel you might envision. Looking on Google Maps, we determined this luxury hotel spans .28 miles from end to end along the ocean, and is loaded with pools, restaurants, nicely appointed rooms, family activities, spa, and amazing indoor-outdoor spaces. If you go, be sure to check out the very unique Tidepools restaurant down by the water where you eat amid koi ponds and lava rocks. The hotel also equips guests with the teched-up room key wristbands.

For the rest of the week, we played three more courses. The first was Puakea Golf Club, which is a nice inland getaway. Even without the ocean in sight, the views here are spectacular – capturing the mountains and the greenery around. You can see where they filmed parts of Jurassic Park from several holes. In a strange way, Puakea reminded me of a Midwest-style course where wide fairways are lined with beautiful trees to give it visual framing. It will soon undergo a necessary bunker renovation. The traps – particularly the fairway bunkers – have had a lot of grass grow over the top of the walls and down the sides. It’s a really cool look, actually, but needs some tidying up. And because it’s a public course, Puakea sees 25,000 rounds a year, which is pretty busy. This was the third time I played this course and love how it has matured over time. The undulating greens are in amazing condition, and I love the variety of holes. There’s also a good deal of elevation change along the way, making for some really good shots. Plus it’s friendly to all skill levels.

Next we conquered the world-renowned Poipu Bay Golf Course – site of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 to 2006 – and its recently completed bunker renovation. It reopened last month. While fairway bunkers were only refilled, all the greenside traps were redone from top to bottom. And there was an irrigation upgrade earlier this year in which officials also removed a slew of trees due to various issues, such as excess falling needles. Knocking down the trees significantly opened up the course, making the views even better and exposing the fairways to more wind. The day we played, gusts were strong. But with all of this extra space, the course feels even more vast than before, with fantastic ocean vistas. It’s one of those courses where you walk off 18 and want to beeline back to the 1st tee and play again. It’s that much fun. And the last five holes are collectively my favorite finishers of any course I’ve played. Anything can happen on the downhill par-3 17th, which makes it thrilling. And you can pound away at your drive on 18, hoping you get around the greenside pond on your approach shot. It’s very fun and simultaneously challenging, for every skill level.

Finally, the Ocean Course at Hokuala is a gem featuring Hawaii’s longest stretch of oceanside holes. The TifEagle greens were the fastest we played, and in impeccable condition. Despite the course name, none of the front nine holes are on the ocean, but the fairways are really wide and the beautiful greens roll true. While the traps look daunting, they’re fairly easy to negotiate. Then as you get to the 10th green, you realize you’re down by the Lihue airport. The 11th parallels the runway. And for the next five holes, you’ll be mesmerized by the views and crashing waves. The starter told us that part of Happy Gilmore was filmed on the back nine, which was pretty cool. The former clubhouse is currently being transformed into a hotel and pro shop. The staff friendliness, course conditioning, layout and ambience make this a must stop for any golf vacationers.

Collectively, these courses are representative of the island itself, with varying terrain mixing in lava rocks, lush landscapes, ocean views and laid-back vibes. And they’re all solidly conditioned. As is often the case, a trip here is about more than just the golf – indicative of the great hotels, restaurants, friendliness, culture and ambience. So if you’re looking for an amazing week-long golf getaway, you’ll find Kauai checks a lot of boxes on your vacation wish list.