How much does a Kauai Golf trip cost?
Here is a full budget breakdown so you know what to expect.
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Nobody talks about this honestly. The golf magazines show you the ocean views and the championship layouts, but they don't tell you that a week of golf in Kauai can cost anywhere from $1,900 to $4,800 per person depending on how you plan it. That's a wide range, and the difference between the low end and the high end comes down to choices you make before you ever step on a plane.
I've played every course on Kauai and I live on the island. Here's what things actually cost, what's worth the money, and where you can save without sacrificing the experience.
Green fees: the biggest variable
This is where your budget swings the most. Kauai has eight courses ranging from $15 to $375 per round. What you play determines whether golf costs you $337 for the week or $1,306.
Here's what each course charges for visitors:
Poipu Bay Golf Course — $295 (morning), $245 (afternoon)
Princeville Makai — $375
The Ocean Course at Hokuala — $299 ($175 with Malama program)
Kiahuna Golf Club — approximately $125
Puakea Golf Course — $149 (online), $179 (walk-up)
Wailua Golf Course — $48
Kukui'ula Golf Course — approximately $330 (private, Lodge guests only)
Kukuiolono Golf Course — $15 (all day)
All prices include cart except Wailua and Kukuiolono, where cart is additional.
Kama'aina (Hawaii resident) rates: If you live in Hawaii, golf on Kauai is dramatically cheaper. Wailua drops to around $10. Puakea offers kama'aina rates around $55. Most resort courses offer resident discounts ranging from 30-50% off visitor rates. Bring your Hawaii state driver's license or utility bill as proof of residency — every course requires it at check-in. Active duty military stationed in Hawaii typically qualify for kama'aina rates as well. If you live here, there's no reason not to play every course on the island at these prices.
The premium four-round trip: Poipu Bay ($295) + Princeville Makai ($375) + Hokuala ($299) + Kiahuna ($125) = $1,094 per person. This is the "play the best courses on the island" itinerary.
The balanced four-round trip: Poipu Bay ($295) + Kiahuna ($125) + Wailua ($48) + Puakea ($149) = $617 per person. You still play the #1 course on the island, plus three great courses at a fraction of the resort price.
The budget four-round trip: Kiahuna ($125) + Wailua ($48) + Puakea ($149) + Kukuiolono ($15) = $337 per person. Four solid rounds of golf in Hawaii for less than one round at Princeville Makai.
How to save on green fees:
Book online whenever possible — most courses offer $10-50 off the walk-up rate for online bookings.
Ask about afternoon and twilight rates. Poipu Bay drops to $245 after noon. Most courses have similar discounts for later tee times. You lose some daylight but save real money.
Look into the Hawaii Tee Times Kauai Golf Challenge package, which bundles Poipu Bay, Hokuala, and Princeville Makai at a discount — roughly $519-569 for three rounds depending on the season.
If you're playing Hokuala, the Malama program drops the green fee from $299 to $175 with a $150 annual membership. If you're playing two or more rounds there or plan to return to Kauai, the math works.
Play the value courses. Wailua at $48 and Kukuiolono at $15 are not consolation prizes — they're genuinely excellent courses that happen to cost less than a casual dinner in Poipu. Mixing one or two budget rounds into your schedule saves $200-400 without downgrading your experience.
Accommodations: $200-450 per night
Where you stay is the second biggest line item, and it's the one with the most room to optimize.
Luxury resort hotels (Grand Hyatt Kauai, Koloa Landing) run $400-800+ per night. Nice properties, but you're paying for amenities you might not use if you're on the golf course all day. A week at $500/night is $3,500 in lodging alone. Hotel rooms are tight on space, so you’re usually walking over or around your clubs.
Vacation rental condos in Poipu run $250-450 per night for a quality 2-bedroom unit. This is the sweet spot for golfers. You get a full kitchen (which saves on food costs), a washer/dryer (pack lighter), more space than a hotel room like a garage for golf club storage, and often better locations. A week at $350/night is $2,450 — and if you're traveling as a couple or a foursome sharing a 2-bedroom, the per-person cost drops significantly.
Budget accommodations (Little studios, hostels, or staying on the east shore in Kapaa) can get you down to $150-200 per night. You'll sacrifice location — Kapaa is 25-40 minutes from the south shore courses. These won’t be as nice and you might not have a kitchen.
The smart play for golfers: Stay in a vacation rental condo in Poipu. You're close to the best courses, you have a kitchen to cook breakfast and post-round meals, and you're splitting the cost if you're traveling with others. Living space to spread out and garage space for golf club storage increases the comfort level a couple of notches. A 2-bedroom that sleeps six at $350/night is $58 per person per night for a foursome. You’re getting a lot more for less in my opinion.
Our condo at Pili Mai sits on the Kiahuna Golf Club fairway — you can walk to the first tee. It sleeps six, has a full kitchen, central A/C, washer/dryer, and an enclosed garage for your clubs. Check availability →
Rental car: $50-80 per day
A rental car is non-negotiable on Kauai. There's no Uber or Lyft in any practical way, no train, and the bus doesn't serve the golf courses. You need a car.
Average daily rates for a midsize SUV run about $50-80 per day depending on the season. For a five-day trip, budget $250-400. For a week, $350-560.
How to save on rental cars:
Book through Costco Travel if you're a member — they consistently have the best rates on Kauai car rentals and include a second driver free.
Book early. Rental car inventory on Kauai is limited, and during peak season (December through March), prices spike and cars sell out entirely. Book your car when you book your flights, not when you book your tee times.
Skip the convertible or Jeep Wrangler. They're fun but they cost 2-3x more than a midsize sedan, and you don't need a 4x4 for anything on Kauai. The roads are paved and well-maintained.
Fill up at the Costco gas station near the airport before you return the car. Gas on Kauai is expensive — typically $1-2 more per gallon than the mainland — and the Costco station is the cheapest on the island.
Consider Turo as an alternative to traditional rental agencies. Rates often start around $50-65/day for basic vehicles picked up at the airport.
Flights: $400-900 per person round trip
Flights to Kauai (Lihue Airport, LIH) vary widely depending on where you're flying from, when you book, and the season.
From the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland), expect $400-700 round trip for a direct flight. Direct flights are available from several mainland cities.
From the East Coast or Midwest, expect $600-900+ round trip, usually with one connection through a West Coast hub.
During peak season (December through March), add 20-40% to those numbers. Book as early as possible — three to four months out typically gets the best balance of availability and price.
How to save on flights:
Use Google Flights with flexible dates and set up price alerts for your preferred route.
Consider flying into Honolulu (HNL) and taking an interisland flight to Kauai on Southwest or Hawaiian Airlines. Sometimes the total is cheaper than a direct flight to Lihue.
If you have credit card points or airline miles, this is the trip to use them. A round trip to Hawaii on points saves you $500-900 that you can put toward green fees instead.
Food: $55-100 per person per day
Eating on Kauai is more expensive than the mainland across the board. Nearly everything on the island is shipped in, which drives prices up at restaurants and grocery stores alike.
Cooking at your rental is the biggest money saver. Hit Costco, Safeway, or Big Save Market on your way from the airport, stock up on groceries, and cook breakfast and a few dinners at your condo. Groceries on Kauai are noticeably more expensive than the mainland — expect to pay 20-40% more for most items since nearly everything is shipped in. But even with the markup, cooking at your rental is still far cheaper than eating out three meals a day at $20+ per plate. Budget roughly $200-300 for a week's worth of groceries for two people. Costco is your best friend here — the prices are closer to mainland levels and the Kauai location is right near the airport.
Casual dining — plate lunches, poke bowls, food trucks, and local spots — runs around $20 per meal. Kauai has incredible casual food but it's not mainland cheap — a plate lunch or poke bowl will run you $18-22. Paco's Tacos at the Kiahuna clubhouse, Koloa Fish Market, The Fresh Shrimp food truck, and the various poke counters at local markets are all excellent.
Mid-range restaurants — sit-down meals with a drink or two — run $40-70 per person. Brennecke's Beach Broiler, Keoki's Paradise, Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt, and Merriman's in Poipu are all popular options.
Fine dining — $80-150+ per person. Kauai has a few upscale options, but most golfers I know prefer to spend their money on green fees rather than white tablecloths.
The realistic food budget: If you cook breakfast at the condo, eat a casual lunch at or near the course, and go out for dinner every other night, plan on $55-75 per person per day. For a five-day trip, that's $275-375 per person.
Pro tip: Most golf course restaurants are solid and reasonably priced. Paco's Tacos at the Kiahuna clubhouse, the Makai Grill at Princeville, and Puakea Grill are all good post-round options that save you from driving somewhere else and spending more.
Bring your own clubs
Bring your own clubs. Full stop. This is the hill I'll die on.
Renting clubs on Kauai is expensive and getting worse. Pro shop rentals run $60-85 per round at the resort courses — Princeville Makai charges $85 for a Callaway set, Hokuala charges $60-65, and Puakea charges $70 for PXG rentals. If you're playing four rounds, that's $240-340 in rental fees for clubs that aren't fitted to you on courses you've never played. Third-party rental companies like Kauai Golf Club Rentals offer weekly rates starting around $119-175, which is better but still adds up.
Meanwhile, most airlines charge $35-50 each way for a checked golf bag — that's $70-100 round trip to play with your own equipment for the entire trip. You know your clubs. You trust your distances. On courses with ocean carries and cliff shots, that confidence matters more than you think.
Buy a quality travel bag with wheels and padding (the Club Glove Last Bag is the standard for a reason), pack your clubs, and check them at the airport. It's cheaper than renting, you play better with your own equipment, and you avoid the hassle of picking up and returning rental sets at every course.
The only scenario where renting makes sense is if you're playing one single round and don't want to deal with a travel bag. For two or more rounds, bring your own.
If you absolutely don't want to check a golf bag, Ship Sticks picks up your clubs at your door and delivers them to your accommodation for about $70-120 each way. But at that point you're spending the same or more than airline bag fees with less control over timing. Checking your bag with the airline is the move.
The extras people forget to budget for
Sunscreen and supplies: $20-30. Bring SPF 50+ from home and put it in your checked bag. Buying it at a Kauai resort shop costs 2-3x the mainland price.
Golf balls: Bring a dozen extra from home. You'll lose balls at Poipu Bay (ocean), Princeville Makai (cliffs and jungle), Hokuala (ocean), and Puakea (ravines). Buying sleeves at the pro shop costs $12-18 per sleeve.
Tips: Budget $5-10 per round for the bag drop/cart attendant. For exceptional service, $20 is appreciated.
Activities for non-golf days: Snorkeling gear rental ($15-25/day), boat tours ($100-200/person), helicopter tours ($200-350/person), zip-lining ($100-175/person). Even golfers may want to see the sights around the golf courses.
Parking fees: Most courses include free parking. Always confirm with the course when booking.
The full picture: five sample budgets
Here's what a five-day, four-round Kauai golf trip actually costs per person, across five budget levels. All assume two people sharing a rental car and accommodation.
The Budget Trip — approximately $1,907 per person
Flights: $500
Accommodation: $200/night x 5 = $1,000 (split two ways = $500)
Rental car: $60/day x 5 = $300 (split two ways = $150)
Green fees: Kiahuna ($125) + Wailua ($48) + Puakea ($149) + Kukuiolono ($15) = $337
Food: $55/day x 5 = $275
Airline golf bag fee: $35 each way = $70
Extras: $75
Total: $1,907
The Smart Trip — approximately $2,750 per person
Flights: $600
Accommodation: $350/night x 5 = $1,750 (split two ways = $875)
Rental car: $65/day x 5 = $325 (split two ways = $163)
Green fees: Poipu Bay ($295) + Kiahuna ($125) + Wailua ($48) + Puakea ($149) = $617
Food: $65/day x 5 = $325
Airline golf bag fee: $35 each way = $70
Extras: $100
Total: $2,750
The Premium Trip — approximately $3,439 per person
Flights: $600
Accommodation: $400/night x 5 = $2,000 (split two ways = $1,000)
Rental car: $70/day x 5 = $350 (split two ways = $175)
Green fees: Poipu Bay ($295) + Princeville Makai ($375) + Hokuala ($299) + Kiahuna ($125) = $1,094
Food: $75/day x 5 = $375
Airline golf bag fee: $35 each way = $70
Extras: $125
Total: $3,439
The Foursome Trip — approximately $2,777 per person
Same premium courses but split four ways on accommodation and rental car.
Flights: $600
Accommodation: $400/night x 5 = $2,000 (split four ways = $500)
Rental car: $70/day x 5 = $350 (split four ways = $88)
Green fees: Poipu Bay ($295) + Princeville Makai ($375) + Hokuala ($299) + Kiahuna ($125) = $1,094
Food: $65/day x 5 = $325
Airline golf bag fee: $35 each way = $70
Extras: $100
Total: $2,777
The All-In Trip — approximately $4,776 per person
Flights: $800
Accommodation: Luxury condo or resort $600/night x 5 = $3,000 (split two ways = $1,500)
Rental car: $80/day x 5 = $400 (split two ways = $200)
Green fees: All seven public courses — Poipu Bay ($295) + Princeville Makai ($375) + Hokuala ($299) + Kiahuna ($125) + Wailua ($48) + Puakea ($149) + Kukuiolono ($15) = $1,306
Food: $100/day x 5 = $500
Airline golf bag fee: $35 each way = $70
Extras: helicopter tour, boat tour = $400
Total: $4,776
Where to save the most money
The three biggest levers in your budget are accommodation, green fee selection, and food. Here's how to optimize each.
Accommodation: A vacation rental condo with a kitchen is the single biggest money saver on the trip. You save on food (cook breakfast and some dinners), laundry (pack half the clothes), and per-person cost (split a 2-bedroom four ways). A $350/night condo split among a foursome is $88/person/night — cheaper than most mainland hotels.
Green fees: Mix premium rounds with value rounds. Play Poipu Bay or Princeville Makai for the bucket-list experience, then play Wailua and Kukuiolono on the other days. You'll save $400-600 compared to playing all resort courses, and the value courses are genuinely excellent.
Food: Cook breakfast at the condo. Eat a casual lunch at or near the course. Go out for dinner every other night. This cuts your food budget nearly in half compared to eating every meal at a restaurant. Yes, groceries on Kauai cost more than the mainland, but a $300 grocery run that feeds two people for a week still beats $20+ per person per meal times three meals a day for seven days.
Clubs: Check your bag with the airline for $70-100 round trip instead of renting at $60-85 per round. Over four rounds, you save $170-240 and play with equipment you know.
The bottom line
A Kauai golf trip costs roughly $1,900-3,500 per person for five days, depending on your choices. The sweet spot for most golfers — great courses, comfortable accommodation, good food, no major sacrifices — is around $2,500-3,000.
That's not cheap. But consider what you're getting: three to five rounds on courses with ocean cliffs, jungle ravines, volcanic features, and whale sightings. Evenings on a lanai watching the sunset over a golf course. Mornings at one of the best beaches in America. And a golf trip story that's better than anything the mainland can offer.
The money you spend on a Kauai golf trip buys more than golf. It buys the trip you'll talk about for years.
Looking for the smart play on accommodations? Our 2-bedroom condo at Pili Mai sits directly on the Kiahuna Golf Course fairway in Poipu. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, garage for your clubs, and a walk-to-the-first-tee commute. It's the base that makes everything else on this list easier and cheaper. Check availability →
