Makalei Golf Club

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.