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Rating Index Rating
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4.2
862 Reviews (862)
5 Stars
373
4 Stars
360
3 Stars
89
2 Stars
30
1 Stars
10
Conditions
3.8
Value
4.3
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.7
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.0
90.5%
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

4.2
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 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Always a fun course’

We vacation on the Big Island every other year and the course was in great shape! Staff is friendly and accommodating. Many unique holes that can be challenging. I am a 12 handicap and found it quite competitive! Only issue was the pro shop was poorly stocked with clothing! I would recommend this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fabulous

One of my favorites! The 17th and 18th hole are absolutely wonderful! The whole course is just fun!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 21
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Value play on the Big Island

Decent locals course up in the mountains. Pretty good conditions. Worth a play.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 0-4
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Good start on Big Island

After arriving to a tent for a clubhouse and mats on the range, Although it was a bit dry and lacking watering, I was pleasantly surprised with the layout and design. It was obviously a professionally designed course that rewarded good shots and punished bad ones. Lost 3 balls and made 5 birdies. Holes 17 & 18 were great finishing holes.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 22
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Worth the trip

Makani Golf Club offers a truly memorable golfing experience, blending warm hospitality with a scenic layout that showcases the beauty of Hawai‘i. From the moment you arrive, the staff stands out for their friendliness and helpfulness, making you feel welcome and supported throughout your round.

The course itself is thoughtfully designed, with a layout that keeps play engaging and varied. The views are spectacular—rolling fairways framed by lush landscapes and sweeping vistas that remind you why golf in Hawai‘i is so special. The highlight comes at the finish: two outstanding closing holes crafted by Perry Dye that provide both challenge and drama, leaving a lasting impression as you walk off the 18th green.

While the overall experience is excellent, there are a couple of areas that could use improvement. Some fairways were inconsistent in quality, and a few greens showed spotty coverage. These minor issues didn’t overshadow the enjoyment of the round but are worth noting for future refinement.

Bottom line: Makani Golf Club is a welcoming, scenic course with standout design and staff. With a bit more attention to fairway and green conditions, it has the potential to be one of the premier courses on the big island.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Good value and nice views

Course played better than expected. A few challenging holes. Well worth the drive up to play

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

First time here

Great golf holes. Plenty of challenge. Loved all the variety of vegetation and scenery. Great views of both mountains. Would definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Course has a really nice layout, not too long, and challenging. Fairways and greens in great condition and the carts had good power/speed! Definitely would recommend to others and play again. The carts come with a couple of waters and ice, bring your own snacks.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart

Makani great golfing

For 30 years we have enjoyed this course as it has morphed over the years. We do miss the animals that used to roam freely….but it is a lovely golf experience….do your best to keep the ball in the short hair and you,ll finish with a big smile,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course!!

Truly enjoyed this course. The layout and the vegetation simply beautiful.

Conditions Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a year
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This is a great course layout (Dye Design) that just needs investors or a management team to operate and maintain the course properly.

There is no clubhouse. A lot of additional mowing and trimming are needed. The “pro shop” is in a tent that desperately needs repairs or replacement. The Driving range is funky as you have to hit down into a gully, so there’s no way to properly assess distance. There is no food service of any kind there.

The people working there were great. This course could be a real winner however, some serious investment and TLC is needed.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Would definitely play again

Being that everything is expensive in Hawaii, the cost of playing this course may seem a bit high, but it is a good value. There was hardly anybody there, the pace of play was relaxed, without stress and you could make it what you want. Everyone there was super friendly and welcoming. Being up in the mountains and away from the west Shoreline was a beautiful change for the day. The holes were definitely challenging, but super fun. My son and husband commented that whether you play from the blues or the blacks, it would challenge even the best golfer. The forward tees were extremely accommodating for any beginner or senior player.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Drought conditions

Very nice layout….unfortunately, like most courses there, they are experiencing a four year drought.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
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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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