Makalei Golf Club

If you have a chance to play up here, take it! This is a challenging course with narrow fairways and very deep roughs. But the elevation changes are incredible as well are the views. Another amazing thing to see are all of the birds and other animals that you might see on the course. Make sure you play early because at higher elevations you'll see dense fog and possibly heavy rain in the afternoons.

This is a beautiful course that has amazing views and great golf. It almost always rains in the afternoon but that's a risk worth taking. Also plan to bring extra balls because it's a very woodsy place and plenty of rough to spare.

It's also fun to stop at Matsuyama Store to grab Pizza after a round.

Great layout very fun it can be a Little wet at times but lots of fun

This course was probably great at one time, but it looks like it hasn’t been maintained in 15 years. On your vacation go ply somewhere else, this place will just disappoint.

After checking in, plan 10 to 15 minutes to reach the First Tee. From the clubhouse. Beautiful UpCountry surroundings, but course poorly marked and lengthy distance between green and next tee on some holes. Most bunkers in poor condition.

Was feeling cheap after 10 days in Kauai playing on the nicest courses. Have already played the "Big Courses " on the Big Island (Mauna Lea, Mauna Lani, all Waikaloa courses etc.) So I looked for bargains this time. Found Makalei above Kona (8 miles away) WOW what a find! The clubhouse is at 1900 feet elevation and goes up to 3000 ft at the 9th tee. This makes a big difference in temperatures and winds (both lower than near ocean courses). The course is BEAUTIFUL! The path to 1st tee runs through lush landscape (be prepared to drive almost 10 minutes uphill to tee). We saw mongoose and peacock in first few minutes. We also saw wild pigs, Nee Nee geese, turkeys, canaries etc. The course is not In picture perfect shape like Mauna Kea, but is in very good shape with greens in very good to excellent conditions. There is a lot of elevation changes as well as sloped fairways. Layout is very interesting and a lot of fun. Great views all the way to ocean. If you can't hit straight, stop at Walmart and buy a bag of used balls. Fairways are nice and wide BUT are bordered by thick grasses. Price is about 1/6 to 1/10 price of other courses. Loved it so much we canceled a "big course " to play there again.

A very unique course. The wildlife was a big bonus.

Makalei is a fun course with good scenery. There are several peacocks, turkeys, nene, and a few other wild birds on almost every hole, but in a good way (with the exception of some droppings on a couple of greens). It is not in immaculate shape by any means, but it is probably the best price on the west side of the Big Island. There are several elevation changes and some challenging holes.

We quit after 14 holes as the pace of play was unbearable. We were already at 4 hours for 14 holes. Weather conditions were not ideal for sitting around waiting for each shot.

Good routing of holes with elevation changes and rolling fairways. Tees need some TLC. Greens in good shape. Not busy when we played as a twosome in 3 hrs.

This place could be awesome of they kept the fairways in better shape. Very nice layout and greens were decent; but they need to hand out ballmark repair tools and give lessons to patrons on how to repair ballmarks on the greens!!!!

Stunning views, good course conditions. Huge elevation changes and lots of side hill or up and down hill lies. Some very beautiful holes, and interesting as well. Had an awesome day and the staff were great. Incredible value for the cost.

The view from the driving range was nice but this course winds its way though the jungle for miles. Play with someone who has been there or bring lots of balls. The peacocks are all over and great to look at. A range finder is a must as scorecards and tee distances don’t jive. Seems about a mile from clubhouse to driving range and first tee. The course has extreme elevation changes. If you decide to go play it more than once.

You will find this course enjoyable if for nothing more than the scenery and wildlife. It can be very tough, you have to keep the ball in or close to the fairway. You have to adjust for elevation differences too. If you lose a ball just take a drop where it went out and continue playing.

First time golfing the course. Great course for

The money. A lot harder than expected. Spectacular views.

Mike