Pros:
-Multiple teeing areas on every hole
-Some risk and reward water shots and mando holes
-Friendly and helpful staff
-Discs available for purchase
-Some wooded holes
-Decent use of elevation
Cons:
-Was not allowed to rent a cart despite perfect conditions. Given that the gold layout is over 9000ft and you're baking in the Hawaiian sun, this would have been a nice touch.
-$25 greens fee, but it's worth it considering the Weliweli course down near Poipu is such a wasteland.
-Shot shaping was very limited to mostly straight shots and didn't utilize much of the available woods strategically.
-Maps, but no signage. Confusing layout unless you're constantly looking at your map after every hole.
-No benches
Other Thoughts:
High expectations for Kauai's "best course" were met with the reality that Kauai doesn't fully recognize how great of courses they could really have with a little elbow grease and an experienced course designer. The course seems to have been just tossed into the fairways of a golf course without much thought of wanting to truly utilize the trees and elevation to their advantage. Regardless, it didn't stop me from having a great time! Still definitely worth the trip to the North Shore to experience everything it has to offer. If the surf is low, check out Queens Bath early (6-7am) in the morning before it gets busy and play a round at the Princeville course afterwards!
A groundskeeper informed me that the course will likely undergo a design change in the near future with the first 6 holes moving to the backside of the course with the other holes.
If there's any question as to my 3 star rating, I've played courses such as Harmon Hills, Highbridge, Rollin Ridge, Idlewild, Blue Ribbon Pines, and many other exceptionally designed and manicured courses.
Wear sunscreen and bring water!