Makani Golf Club

Locals know this is the best golf value on the Island. I have been going to this golf course every year when I travel to the Big Island and it is one of my favorites.

It is a 20 - 30 minute drive from Kona and Waikoloa where the temperatures are usually 10 degrees cooler than the coast. This maybe one of the reasons tourist do not make it there.

Pace of play and course condition were great.It was a little brown is some areas due to decrease rain fall. Staff super friendly. Highly recommend

Staff at check-in was polite. Starter and cart staff were friendly. Ranger chatted with a slower group when it was clear that they were not going to let smaller groups pass or didn't know the golf etiquette to allow passing.

Course was wonderful with many many great holes with helpful hills.

Amazing design. Lots o

F tough water holes. Could be in Colorado!

Mountain golf at its best, cool breeze, plush surroundings and good vibes!

Every hole was unique. Rolling hills and valleys. Nice greens. Well maintained. Bunched sand was soft. We were following some beginners who didn’t know enough to let us through, so the pace of play was pretty slow. No beverage cart or ranger.

We've played this course many times and this was the first time we came across a person at the front desk who was not friendly or accommodating. We will play here again however, it is not "Golf Now" friendly as the customer service at the course is not good when booked through golf now. We have found all other courses easy to work with when booked through "Golf Now", but not Makani!

Every hole on this terrific layout presents a new strategic challenge. Doglegs, elevation changes, highly contoured greens, challenging bunkers and numerous water hazards make you think before every shot. Hitting the fairway is crucial, because the rough is very thick and very long. The green speed was a bit on the slow side. But they putted very true.

We finished our round in just under four hours. But could have played at least 30 minutes faster if we didn’t have to spend so much time looking for golf balls that were only a few yards off the fairway in the punishing rough. The staff told us that one of the mowers was broken and they had to work hard to keep the fairways mowed. and the rough had gotten out of hand. If it were cut to a reasonable length, 3 inches instead of 6+ inches. the course would be much more playable and enjoyable.

The driving range is very large, but you have to hit from mats rather than turf. Amenities are very limited at the small and sparsely stocked pro shop. The staff was very pleasant and very helpful to us as first-time players at the course

In spite of the brutal rough, we really enjoyed the track, and will definitely play it again when we return to The Big Island.

Happy to play with local who provided course info. Staff friendly. Course in great condition. Fairways on narrow side but fair. Challenging layout for this high handicapper. I was impressed and to date favorite Kona course.

The layout was fine but the rough was too high for the average golfer and the rental clubs were a disgraces.

We were stuck behind a foursome with no one in front of them. A single joined us because the foursome would not let him through even though we told him he can go ahead. On 17, they hit a total of 9 balls off the tee before they gave up. This was with us waiting behind them. There were two other groups stuck behind us. They must have thought they were on the driving range. It took five hours and ten minutes for the round. It was just painful. The management should have monitored the pace of play and done something about. It took away a otherwise good experience on a great course.

This course is one of my favorites on the Big Island. Pace of play was very good. I completed my round in about three hours. Fairways and green were in great shape and the rough was penal as it should be. That said probably could be mowed an inch or so lower. It would further speed pace of play which is very important in todays golfing world.

This course will definitely be one of my choices when I return to Hawaii.

P.S. The gentleman from Louisiana serving as the starter was great.

The course is in excellent condition overall. A few brown spots. There were no drink cart , so bring your own water. There was no marshal around. Our round took just over 5 hours which I think is ridiculous given the course was not busy. The foursome, two groups ahead could not keep up with a five-some in front of us. The people tee off an hour after us caught up with us on 14.