Poipu Bay Golf Course

Few courses on earth can claim a backdrop quite like this one. Poipu Bay sits along the sun-drenched southern shore of Kauai, the oldest and arguably most dramatic of the Hawaiian islands, where lava cliffs drop to the Pacific and the Na Pali coast defines the horizon on clear days. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1991, it became one of Hawaii's most celebrated resort layouts almost immediately — partly for its scenery, partly for the caliber of design, and significantly because it hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for nearly 2 decades, bringing the year's 4 major champions together each fall on these fairways.

The course occupies land that rolls through ancient Hawaiian terrain, with ocean views appearing on multiple holes and the wind off the water a constant strategic factor. RTJ Jr. routed the layout to reward patience and course management over pure power.

Poipu Bay is part of the Grand Hyatt Kauai resort complex, making it a natural destination for visitors to the island's south shore — but the course has enough pedigree to draw serious golfers who aren't staying on property.