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Rating Index Rating
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3.6
762 Reviews (762)
5 Stars
185
4 Stars
339
3 Stars
141
2 Stars
60
1 Stars
37
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.7
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.2
Amenities
2.3
76.0%
Recommend this course
633 out of 762 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
26 Reviews (26)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.6
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
2.5
StaffFriendliness
4.4
69.2%
Recommend this course
18 out of 26 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
38 Reviews (38)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
10
2 Stars
8
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.4
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.2
Amenities
2.2
StaffFriendliness
4.4
68.4%
Recommend this course
26 out of 38 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This mountain course delivers a thrilling layout of dramatic elevation changes, steep terrain, and resident peacocks roaming the tee boxes. Friendly staff, relaxed pace of play, and strong value make it a rewarding Big Island experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Style Woodland
Par 72
Length 7091 yards
Slope 144
Rating 74.3

Malakei Golf Club wanders through a colorful landscape of indigenous flora and fauna, providing a home to a variety of wildlife including peacocks, pheasants, and wild turkey. Situated in the Kona region of Hawaii, which is widely renowned for its coffee farms, the course offers dramatic elevation changes that range from 1,800 to 2,850 feet. The golf course plays through lush forests accented with lava tubes, cinder cones, and an ancient stone wall that dates back over a century. The fast bentgrass greens, rolling fairways, and cooler climate are reminiscent of a course in northern California but the stunning panoramic views will definitely remind you that you are in Hawaii. Malakei Golf Club's 15h hole is a signature hole thanks to its memorable scenery. It not only offers an incredible view of Maui's 10,000-foot Mount Haleakala, it is also your best chance for a hole in one.

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Makalei Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 1992
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bent Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Dick Nugent (1992)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Fivesomes Allowed No. Only with permission.
Dress code Proper attire is required.

Food & Beverage

Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Hawaii (2016 #18)
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Reviews

3.6
762 Reviews (762)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 12
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 37
Bunkers 16
Thick Rough 15
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 31
Advanced Golfers 18
Locals 18
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22
Convenient to the City 19
Near the Airport 17

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 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Always enjoy this course

We always enjoy Makalei Golf Course. It has some intriguing features which create challenges. Hope to play there again soon.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unique!

This course is not like anything I’ve played before. On a volcano with rain forest rough. A lot of birds and great views. It was foggy a couple holes in, so check the weather.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Will play again when work is finished.

They are working on this course so conditions are not what they were last time I played it. Hope when they are done it will be better.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This course has great view

Condititions on the fairways and on the greens were not good enough.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Really fun course. Challenging but not impossible. Don't even think about walking this course. Some narrow fairways, but most are forgiving.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Peacock central

Nice island mountain course, Lloyd in the pro shop is terrific, peacocks all around, lots of downhill tee shots make you look like a long driver!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 16
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Intriguing course. Very hilly. Fun, very challenging. Not as narrow as some posts remark. Some fairways are narrow but not that many.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Your handicap will go up.

Amazingly challenging course. No matter how high you take these slanted fairways, the ball WILL run out to the low side!

Beautiful views, abundant wildlife, and large separations between holes made for nice down time and sightseeing.

Greens are bent grass and fast! Lag putts are important if you’re trying to score.

I’ll be back

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

My go to course

Just can't beat the price for golf. If you are an immediate golfer and just want to be out to enjoy a cooler comfortable day on the course, choose Makalei. Well worth the $32 bucks you spend. I seem to always meet really nice people on the course that show patience and just out there to have a good time. Love Makalei!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
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 Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Big island 2023

Haven't played in 8 years. Course totally lacked maintenance. Greens were in fair condition.

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

Makalei golf

Great course layout with plenty of elevation changes which were great.

The greens in great shape and good speed.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap Don't know
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great day!

It was a great experience. Beautiful course carved into the elevation above Kona. Lots of wildlife. We saw wild pigs, turkeys, and many peacocks (including white ones!). I will definitely recommend it to others, and can't wait to visit again! Oh, and the golf was challenging, but fun

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

AN ADVENTURE ON A CRAZY COURSE

Staff is great, course is a little crazy. Beautiful wildlife. and views.

Not a flat lie on the entire course. Fairways and bunkers are in poor condition. Bring lots of balls, very unforgiving fairways. Greens are awesome but very hard to read. No men's senior tees..its worth it just to enjoy the experience.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
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

They say play early - lite afternoon shower

Great views. Wonderful hole designs. An overall nice round. Weekday golf as many local regulars who are used to their own pace. I am not sure if there is a local rule that I kept bumping into.

In any case, it was a good course for my 1st Hawai'i golf experience and i'll be back for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Plantation Course - Hole 18

Best of Maui Golf Package

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Kapalua Resort Bay Course

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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.

Maui Golf Around Package

REQUEST QUOTE BELOW*
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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