Lydgate DGC is a really pretty park that sits just off the beach on the shores of Kauai in Kapaa. It's a 9 hole course that plays quickly. There are interesting throws through a variety of vegetation, and basket locations that can be tough to access.

The tees are mixed, some are on pavement and some are marked by toe boards in the ground. The baskets are a bit weathered, but in good enough condition to serve their purpose. There is slight elevation change on some holes, but it isn't much. The ocean is closer here than any other course I have ever seen, but no water is in play.

The variety of holes is pretty good, ranging from mostly open to densely wooded. Holes 1 and 4 play through trees from the parking area down to the grass in the park. Holes 2, 3 and 9 play from the open grass into the edges of the trees near the parking lot. Hole 5 is under the thick tree canopy, and 6 is a tunnel shot with dense trees on all sides. 7 and 8 have a few trees to dodge on the way to the basket, with a fairly hearty group blocking the basket on 8.

I liked most of the holes, and felt like I had a shot at a birdie on most of them. 3 was probably the toughest drive, being long and having clusters of trees as you approach the pin. Throwing down the slope from the parking lot to the grass on 1 and 4 had some fun lines through the trees. The branches from trees lining both sides and above the short fairway on 6 feel like a jungle cat may be stalking you as you walk toward the target.

There are playgrounds, walking trails parking areas, public restrooms and other general facilities found in a public park. Other people are likely to be near the course at any point.

There could be improvement if signs were in place at the tees, but it isn't too hard to figure out, especially if you get a map online. Holes 5-8 are across the road near the playground.

The wind was coming off the ocean at a steady rate and it affected my throws on several holes. There are wild chickens everywhere in the park. They don't steal discs or anything, but they may be clucking around the fairways or crow in the middle of a run up.

This is a pretty fun course, I wish the wind was a little less prominent during my round. I will play it again if I have a chance. The sound of the waves on the beach is not a backdrop I am used to living in Kansas, and the plant life is gorgeous.

I shot 2 over par (29), making no birdies and bogies on holes 1 and 8. That is a little frustrating for a shorter course that has most of the holes reachable for deuces.

+ Course is just off the beach, you can hear the waves all round
+ Arrows to the next tee are helpful if not definitive
+ Right next to soccer fields for an easy place to do some field work or practice drives prior to your round
+ Permanent, high quality Discatcher baskets
+ Slight elevation changes and tree shaped fairways make for an interesting mix of shots, though almost all favor RHBH
+ Holes are all 200-300ft or so; you could play the whole course with a putter and Buzzz, though 4 and 8 require enough R to L movement that you could benefit from a Firebird's skip there
+ Free use park

- Not a championship level course which is perfectly fine, but just don't expect that
- Holes 3, 7, and 8 play next to family areas (picnic shelter, child's playground) which can bring wandering families or kids onto the fairways
- Going long on 2 or 9 will put you into a parking lot on the far side; flipping your disc on 9 can land you on the main road

Tradewinds can mean a sustained 20mph headwind on 1, 4. You may want something OS if you don't want to try to judge a hyzerflip just right.

You can play disc golf in Hawaii! Conveniently located near the Hilton in Wailua. If you're traveling to Kauai, you can get by with 2 discs, a midrange/putter, and a 9-11 speed driver. This is a bonus for traveling light. I don't think any holes are longer than 275 and only 1 hole, 6 is quite short. The teepads are a basic front of the box marker as seen in the photos, and there are next hole arrows hanging on trees to point you in the right direction. Also a map in the upper parking lot with the numbered teepad and basket locations. I really enjoyed playing through this course twice on my visit to Kauai.

Course is fairly compact. You can get by with 2 discs, a midrange/putter, and a 9-11 speed driver. ( yes also a pro for travel weight reasons, but a more diverse layout requiring more discs would make it more challenging. )

There are folks on the walking paths and/or walking their dogs and you may have to wait a bit for the traffic to clear. Hole 7 goes near the playground and there were some kids wandering near the fairway which may make you wait as well. Perhaps this is really a 3.0 course, the location tips it up to 3.5.