About
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.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Awards & Recognition
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Top Courses in Hawaii(2016 #18)
Golfer Photos
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Photo submitted by u430456762 on 06/03/2025
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Photo submitted by u430456762 on 06/03/2025
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Photo submitted by u430456762 on 06/03/2025
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Photo submitted by u6887246 on 05/05/2025
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Photo submitted by jpsimon10 on 04/21/2025
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Photo submitted by dkang819 on 12/19/2024
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Gas carts climb the mountain! Photo submitted by oxiAZY6d6XHGgzHjMOaU on 11/18/2023
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peacocks every hole Photo submitted by Suzie4548328 on 05/25/2023
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Photo submitted by Suzie4548328 on 05/25/2023
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Marshall at work! Photo submitted by u235328896 on 01/04/2023
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Photo submitted by SHendricks01 on 12/30/2022
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Photo submitted by SHendricks01 on 12/30/2022
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Pretty boy. Photo submitted by ramonteleone on 11/09/2022
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Photo submitted by u000006193225 on 10/26/2022
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Photo submitted by mdiefend on 02/25/2022
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Photo submitted by DUBUTOR on 02/07/2022
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Really hard to beat this view! Photo submitted by fishmanjimmye on 01/08/2022
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Blood or jam Photo submitted by u00000701478 on 11/23/2021
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Bunker Photo submitted by u00000701478 on 11/23/2021
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Tee box Photo submitted by u00000701478 on 11/23/2021
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Photo submitted by u00000701478 on 11/23/2021
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Photo submitted by schaucarol on 11/09/2021
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Photo submitted by sckrause on 10/20/2021
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Photo submitted by sarguy on 08/10/2021
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 01/05/2021
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 01/05/2021
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 01/05/2021
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Photo submitted by GlenHampton on 01/05/2021
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Photo submitted by Bruce6093729 on 11/12/2019
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Photo submitted by coryno on 08/07/2015
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Beautiful approach on Par 5 Photo submitted by Pete1444216 on 11/10/2012
Golfer Reviews
Beautiful course in the mountains of Hawaii
Great course, course condition was average to poor, but beautiful layout. Very hilly with large elevation changes. Different from the typical resort style courses you find in Hawaii.
Makalei golf club has magnificent views
Looking out over the course your can see the coast line and stunning beauty of the floral landscape and magnificent bird population, peacock birds everywhere.
The course itself was a bit rough from my expectations and the weather storms have left the woods covered with debris. They were looking for staff to hire as there was a lot to clean up.
Overall, we had a great day on the course.
The Stewart’s
Nice Course
First time playing this course. Take a 5 minute ride up the mountain, then play your way down. The fees and traps need a little work, but the rest of the course is quite nice. Enjoyable to play this layout. I would recommend. A good value.
Views
Views were great, very different. Grass was super thick around greens, which made it difficult to chip.
Exceptional Wildlife
You literally had to work your way through the peacocks, turkeys, wild pigs and countless small birds as well as mongoose, roosters, cats and the occasional golfer.
We lucked out and played a quick 18 between rain storms. The greens were good but could be quite a bit firmer for a semi-private course since many of the craters didn’t get repaired. The traps are currently being redone.
The layout is interesting with many huge elevation changes, but a few too many blind shots made necessary because of the steep uphill holes.
Impossible to walk as it could take a half hour to get to the first tee as the start and finish are a long way from the clubhouse. You must be careful with the cart as even the concrete cart paths can be so steep that you can’t stop.
We enjoyed this unique rainforest experience and would recommend it.
Perfect Your Slope Game
Amazing course for working on your slope swings. Fun course to blast drives far, and work on your slope swing. The wildlife was in deep mating season which created an “climatic” experience. Good golf. Nice staff. I recommend it if you are not here to play a $50000009 round. I think I got more out of this than I would have at a stiff collar snob course.
Poor course condition limited views
limited clubhouse amenities with no restaurant or bar open on Sunday - not very friendly clubhouse staff - poor driving range condition and mats - then the course started - very poor condition of course especially all the sand traps that were deemed under repair but appeared to be left unattended to never be fixed - the course used to be nice based on the layout but maintenance and financial issues must have beset course - greens and wildlife were the only pluses now to what may have been in the past a very nice golf course..... won't be going back
Unplayable beauty
Beautiful course - scenery and the peacocks are amazing. Layout is challenging because of the slope of the hills. You will almost never have anything close to a flat lie, and reading the greens is virtually impossible. Still - it is reasonably priced and worth the $'s just to see the views and the scenery. Nice people there too. Bunkers were under repair, which was not mentioned anywhere when I booked. That was a bit of an issue, but by the 3rd hole I as thankful for the free drop.
First time play in March 2018
I played this course in March 2018 for the first time. If you are staying in Kona you have to drive an hour and pay $150 to $200 to play any of the ocean courses. I played here because it was cheap at $60 and close.
Fairways and greens were in good shape.
The bunkers are under repair, and apparently always will be, I saw no repair going on. Besides the 150 stick, there were few distance markers.
I played twilight rates, and wanted to repeat a few holes but was chased off the course at 530, although dusk is at 630. If you play in the afternoon, you better check to find when they close.
Course was relatively empty, I play six holes by myself then caught up to a twosome and finished with them. There is no ranger, the threesome in front of us were bad golfers and slow, which is fine, but they never waved us through.
The course is built onto a mountain and most fairways run either up or down. NO ocean views at all. You typically hit down into the par threes. Being from Illinois i am not used to elevation changes and i typically over-hit the par threes and wound up off the back. You would have to play the course a few times to figure out what clubs to use on those holes.
Scenery is awesome, its like playing through a jungle. I saw 100 peacocks, turkeys, other birds, mongoose. there are wild pigs but i did not see them.
The couse would get more play and be more enjoyable if they put up more distance markers, (how expensive is a 100 yard stick?). How about some signs at the Par 3, saying "Due to elevation change, play this 160-yard hole as if it were 130", i have seen that at other courses. How about repairing some of the bunkers around the greens.
i enjoyed the course and the chance to play without spending a fortune. With a little work, it could be a much more enjoyable day.
Fun golf course
This is a challenging golf course, with peacocks all around to greet you! Course is really dry but played here many times and enjoyed it!
Fun.... but
This course is fun and challenging, however not for tourists. This not a beach course. Lots of wild life but not close to the water. I would play it again, but do t expect a resort course
Very fun course
If you want to play an impeccably manicured course, look elsewhere.
If you want to play a fun course where everyone is friendly and not too serious, this may be the course for you,
Played this course in February and got off to a good start with very friendly staff in the proshop followed by a polite and informative starter/cart man.
All of the other groups we met on the course were having fun and some of them were pretty decent golfers.
During your round, you will encounter peacocks, turkey's, and all kinds of other birds. It is also common to come across wild pigs.
When we played the course, the bunkers were being repaired and basically unplayable but all in all had a very pleasant round.
Beautiful High Elevation Golf Course
Park-like setting in an upland forest of mostly silver oaks. No houses adjacent to course. Bunkers were being renovated and were considered ground under repair. Great views. Long hilly course with long cart rides between holes. Gas golf golf carts. Take extra water as there appeared to be no water fountains or coolers on course. They give you 16 oz of bottled water. Beverage cart was circulating on course though. Course maintenance was 7 on 1-10 scale and similar to a nice municipal course. Thoroughly enjoyed the round and the course.
needs work
traps unplayable,fairways and tees need a lot of love.greens and layout good.the worst course I played from golf now
Unusual
Arrive early, the 1st tee is a long distance from the clubhouse. Definitely not walkable. Bring lots of golf balls; you won’t find too many that miss the fairway. Greens are the best part of this course.
Fun and interesting.
Fun course with lots of interesting holes. Every hole is either uphill or downhill, nothing is flat except a few of the greens. Cooler than playing near the beach. We’ll play again before we leave.
Nice Mountain Side course, love the Peacocks!!
Our foursome was looking for a reasonably priced course to golf while on the Big Island. We went there with a bit of trepidation as it was rsonably priced compared to other offerings. We were pleasantly surprised!! We. Checked in and went to get rental clubs, Cobra golf set that was quite nice. Starter and other staff were very friendly, gave us the lay of the land and a few tips! The sand raps are under repair, seal of them are GUR. Our round was good, enjoyable, a bit slow with folks ahead of us (4.5 hours). Course was in good condition except tee boxes could use some care and attention. Overall were were pleased, great views, challenging greens, and a lot of up and down. This is not a course to try walking! Five minute cart ride up the mountain to the driving range and first tee box. A few hidden areas hard to see golfers in front at times. Overall we had a great time, and scored reasonably. I know I will be playing this again while we are here!! Oh, and yes their are peacocks everywhere, loud at times,and fairly bold, but no bother to us at all!!! They were very beautiful in addition to surrounding sites.
Really gone downhill
Played here on and off over 20 yrs. Worst conditions I can recall. Tee boxes awful, fairways patchy, greens okay. Supposedly redoing all bunkers but no evidence of such. Have to play all bunkers as ground under repair. Wouldn't go back until conditions are improved.
bunkers not playable,fairways need a lot of love layout and greens good.way over priced