Makalei Golf Club

If you are looking for dazzling ocean holes, immaculate fairways, a stunning clubhouse, and an upscale resort ambiance...look elsewhere. But if you want a challenging round on a course without a single square foot of level ground, where peacocks roam freely on most holes, where cart paths meander almost aimlessly through lush rainforest, and Hawaii's only bent grass greens are finally recovering from too much neglect, then consider giving Makalei a try. Sure, the ancient gas carts are on their last legs, the "temporary" structures at the clubhouse look like they're a few decades beyond their expected lifespan, and the long hike up the mountain from the clubhouse to the first tee makes you wonder if it will be worth it IF you make it there, but once you begin to play I think you'll find, as I did, that Makalei offers an unique, memorable, and quite fun experience if you temper your expectations a bit. You're not going to be at Mauna Lani or Mauna Kea, but then again you're not going to pay $200+. You're not going to have crashing waves or ocean carries, but you will have over 1000 feet in elevation change to deal with. You're not going to feel coddled or pampered, but you will feel welcomed and challenged. Yes, the fairways are spotty, the rough is patchy, and some of the bunkers are unplayable; and you will likely participate in the "ball exchange program" (losing balls in the ever-present jungle lining each hole, but finding someone else's occasionally instead); but good shots will be rewarded, poor ones will be punished, and you will find, I think, at the end of your round that the course provides a fun and fair test of golf. My wife and I played on a somewhat rainy Mothers Day afternoon, and while the round was "holiday slow", the other golfers we encountered were uniformly friendly, happy to be there, and completely willing to usher us on ahead if we wanted (even though there was no where to go). So, if you want something different (know another course with dozens of peacocks and 600 yard par fives?) and don't mind less than perfect conditions, I recommend trying Makalei.

lots of vegetation and loads of birds of all kinds and a few pigs. Natural beauty at it's best

If you want a cart path that's like a Disney jungle ride, and surroundings to match, this course is for you. You'll never play another like it, surrounded by dense foilage and dodging screaming peacocks and francolins while other unseen birds cry out from the trees and ferns around you.

Looking forward to upcoming course improvements. One of our favorite Big Island courses!

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.