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Rating Index Rating
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4.1
862 Reviews (862)
5 Stars
373
4 Stars
360
3 Stars
89
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
10
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
2.9
90.6%
Recommend this course
793 out of 862 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
17
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
9
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.6
Value
4.2
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
2.7
StaffFriendliness
4.6
91.1%
Recommend this course
41 out of 45 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
77 Reviews (77)
5 Stars
31
4 Stars
28
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.7
Value
4.2
Layout
4.6
Pace
4.3
Amenities
2.9
StaffFriendliness
4.6
90.9%
Recommend this course
70 out of 77 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This Pete Dye-designed layout consistently earns praise for its creative, challenging holes and stunning Big Island views. Exceptionally friendly staff and strong value make it a repeat favorite among visiting golfers.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7116 yards
Slope 140
Rating 74.4

Formerly known as Big Island Country Club.

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Makani Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1997
Fairways Kikuyu Grass
Greens Paspalum Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Perry Dye (1997)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Golf Simulator Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Indoor Practice Yes
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Food & Beverage

Available Facilities

Meeting Facilities

Accolades

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Reviews

4.1
862 Reviews (862)

What Golfers Are Saying

Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 15
Bunkers 12
Elevation Changes 9
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 15
Locals 11
Advanced Golfers 10
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 14

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 17
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

1st time! Wonderful views & nice course

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great layout

Amazing design. Lots o

F tough water holes. Could be in Colorado!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 21
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Different types of courses

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

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Interesting Holes

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

First time not good!

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!

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Excellent Layout—a Hidden Gem

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun Track

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

not so good

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

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course layout in good condition.

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Excellent choice on the Big Island

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course. Too slow.

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.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 11
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Challenging

The course is very challenging with trees, elevation changes, and water along the fairways and greens. Holes 17 and 18 mirror holes 17 and 4 at TPC Sawgrass on a smaller scale.

There were goats, chickens, turkeys, and geese on the course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at Napili Kai Beach Resort and golf at Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, Ka'anapali Kai Course, or King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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