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Rating Index Rating
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3.7
736 Reviews (736)
5 Stars
177
4 Stars
333
3 Stars
135
2 Stars
56
1 Stars
35
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.0
Amenities
2.3
80.9%
Recommend this course
615 out of 736 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.2
12 Reviews (12)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
0
Conditions
2.6
Value
3.1
Layout
3.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
1.7
StaffFriendliness
4.5
66.7%
Recommend this course
8 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
57 Reviews (57)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
24
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.0
Amenities
2.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
80.7%
Recommend this course
46 out of 57 reviews
Read Reviews

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

3.7
736 Reviews (736)

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good value for money

It was our first game of the year and we enjoy thé course. T-off boxes need some TLC, bit course condition was ok.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Find a different place to play

This course is in terrible shape, tee boxes are scruffy, some bunkers have weeds/grass growing 2-3 feet high, greens are very shaggy.

You drive for about 10 minutes up the mountain, to get to the first hole, through very little directional signs, then you finish up 18 and have to drive down through 2-3 holes to get back down to the clubhouse

The scenery and the peacocks would be the only reason to play here

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Interesting course

This is a one of a kind experience. It is worth trying but not because of the golfing value. The course is situated in the cloud forest at 2500 feet elevation with astonishing scenery. Spectacular flora and fauna rarely seen anywhere, unique not just to a golf course. The course design is interesting and challenging, unfortunately the course is not very well maintained. Greens and bunkers are in bad shape, putting is a lottery not a skill test. It is about spending 3-4 hours in a fantastic environment and doing some golf on the side. If the course were better maintained that would be an exceptional course, this is just below average golfing in a stunning environment.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Incentivized Review
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Greens need work....

The course was challenging and very scenic. My only concern was for the tee box area and the greens. The tee box areas we not level and sometimes muddy; the greens were bumpy and need to be rolled and flattened.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Awesome

Great course and would recommend to all. Going back again before I go home

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Challenging course to play!

This is an impossible course to walk. I don't think you are even allowed to walk the course and rightly so! It takes about 5-7 minutes in a gas powered golf car just to get to the first tee up a volcanic mountain. If you were trying to walk, you would be exhausted before you even tee'd off!

You are either on the course or you are dropping a ball where it disappeared into the jungle! And sometimes they disappear just off the fairway or green. Bring at least an extra 4-5 balls! Lots of elevation change here. You are either hitting up a mountain or down it! Rarely a level shot or lie.

Beautiful views of the ocean from afar and lots of wildlife. Peacocks looking to be fed from your cart. (Don't do it! It is not allowed and bad for the birds!) Nene and little yellow finches all over the place along with plenty of mongoose.

And there were quite a few areas where the wild pigs had torn up the fairways.

This is not a beautifully manicured resort course and if you play the ball down, you will really need to be on your A game to get close to your handicap, .but it is a beautiful natural environment and a truly great golf experience in a uniquely Hawaiian environment.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Heavenly views and temperatures

Great changes in elevation (ranging from 1,800 to 2,850 ft) and sloped lies make this course very challenging. Ocean views, including glimpses of other Hawaiian islands, compete with peacocks, turkeys, grouse and colorful birds for your attention. Perhaps the greatest attraction is the very friendly staff and the clientele, mostly locals who know a great deal when they see one. Mondays this month cost only $39 for 18 holes, including cart. Cart is mandatory, understandable when you see how steep the paths are. An unforgettable experience.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Previously Played

Let it fly

Makalie is a mountainous course that has a bit of target golf style but an absolute pleasure to play. Greens are undulated and partnering with a local is a huge advantage. The tee decks are a bit shaggy but the greens and fairways are groomed and player friendly. Many beautiful viewpoints. The hole routing has it all too, up hill, down , fades and draws. I played it twice and by far a much better round due to course knowledge. Love the peacocks and occasional pigs. Clubhouse could use a wraparound deck and larger, windowed cafe.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great layout and views

Love the layout and views. The greens were fine and fairways okay but tee boxes need some work. I would include it on my list of courses to play on the Big Island.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf the hills

Great hilly course,,, need to bat your ball well, semi target style track. Challenging greens, speedy and undulating. Shaggy tees, and bunkers, need work. Great overall experience.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Peacocks Galore!

If you want to see peacocks, this is the place! So many beautiful plumes along the course. The views of the water and airport are stunning and there are a couple of can't miss holes. Great staff made us feel welcome and comfortable. You should try at least once!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Makalei Golf is Memorable

Peacocks and other bird species are everywhere. The chickens and roosters are very welcoming and plentiful. I’m sure they’d like to come home with us.

I’m sure if we had gotten more birdies, I’d be ready to give ‘em a ride.

Will be back!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great Value

Sure the tee boxes are a little ragged but this is a nice layout. We totally enjoyed the course the views and the wildlife.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Tough and beautiful

Friendly staff, provided waters and quick directions. Up you go. Be ready for elevation changes and blind shots. If you are off the fairway you are lost. Lots of wildlife and beautiful views. An overall good value For the big island. Definitely worth your time and money!

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Fair
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Course

Enjoy playing the course. The views are amazing and the staff were very friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great round

Had a great time, 700ft up and down layout is fun and layed out very well.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
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