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Rating Index Rating
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3.6
755 Reviews (755)
5 Stars
182
4 Stars
338
3 Stars
140
2 Stars
58
1 Stars
37
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.3
78.4%
Recommend this course
628 out of 755 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
5
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.7
Layout
4.0
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.4
StaffFriendliness
4.4
68.2%
Recommend this course
15 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.7
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.2
Amenities
2.0
StaffFriendliness
4.6
73.3%
Recommend this course
33 out of 45 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
755 Reviews (755)

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 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sub par experience

Course in very rough shape. New GM and greenskeeper should help improve conditions, Had to play front 9 twice, as aeration being performed on back 9. This limitation not made known to us until we arrived at course. Peacocks and wild turkeys on course interesting.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unique

Such a unique course. Lava tubes and peacocks and trail blazing through jungle to the next hole. Loved it!

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Gotta be a goat even with a cart!

Course was too hilly. No way I could play with someone else and was sandwiched between a too slow foursome and a fast one pushing me. Had to skip a par five to ge free of those conditions. Every green is a hike from where you put the cart. Wore me out by 12holes. Fairways and traps in very rough conditions. No wonder they had so many open tee times!

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 36
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

First Visit / Not Last

Welcome course to warm up for arrival on the. Big Island. Located upcountry from the KOA airport, high enough to drop beach side temperatures by 8 degrees. Heavy wooded areas which break the wind nicely. Anticipate seeing peacocks and turkeys all across the course. Found one on the initial hole and took pictures / videos. By the end of the day, realized they were on virtually every hole. Don't bring any food or they will steal from your cart while you putt!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 53
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Wet weather
Used cart

Bring a rain jacket.

rain likely some afternoons in Feb. Not lasting long but played 2-3 holes getting wet. Always enjoy the peacocks, turkeys, nene. lots of elevation changes.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 26
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fits my Budget

Challenging course but then again every course is challenging for me. I like playing in cool weather so Makalei is my go to course. The price is outstanding for a course in Hawaii. They wildlife and views are so pretty. I usually go in the afternoon as there are less golfers. Course conditions are average but I don't mind for being just a average golfer.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun Round

First Time here but it is a fun course. Might be easy if you can keep it in the fairway!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Dissappointing quality

This course was always one of my favorites on Hawaii, however today was very dissappointing from a run down, poor condition, lack of staff situation. I suspect that Covid 19 and the recent sale to Korean group has everything todo with it.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

Rained Out

It started pouring and on the 7th hole (#18) the Marshall told us the course was closing because of rain. When I asked for a rain check or refund they said to contact Golfnow since we booked through you. How do we get a refund?

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Disappointing

Golf carts were old gas powered and periodically backfired and you can smell the fuel burning. No GPS and yardage markers were non-existent on a challenging course. There was no communication between the club house and starter as they gave conflicting information. There was a group of five that were 2 holes behind and marshals did not intervene. I would not play this course again and would not recommend.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 112
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

needs attention

Course not being maintained very well. A great setting and fun holes, but not like it used to be.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart

Great Course

We really like this course. Nicely laid out and everyone is really friendly.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Average

Nothing fancy, and affordable A bit run down, but affordable gold in Hawaii.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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