Makalei Golf Club

Tropical mountain course that really delivered. Every hole had amazing elevation changes that made you pick your club wisely. Wonderfully kept greens that played true. Front 9 warm and sunny, hit the back 9 and a tropical shower moved in... Got a little wet but that's what keeps this course green and lush. Overall it was a wonderful course to play when visiting the Big Island

We stayed at Kohala Coast but temperatures around 90 Fahrenheit makes it unbearable to golf. I booked thru Golf Now on a hot deal as a single, and paid for my 9 year old when we arrived. Junior rates are $30 all in. We played 18 holes in 3 hours. Skipped the 10th hole past a couple of parties but backtracked at the end of the round and played 10 on the way down.

I liked exploring the course for its landscape and local animals. The temperatures was mild being so high up above 2,500 feet. It rained on this day on and off. It's more tropical here than Kohala, and luscious. We like exploring the landscape, and why not do that on a cart golfing? It's not the most pristine golf course compared to resort courses, but we like to play where the kamaaina play and the price is right. I recommend playing this golf course for extreme Eco experience.

In Canada, I'm a member at Hamptons private golf club in Calgary and play 100+ rounds per year, 8 -10 different courses per year.

This mountain course is quite challenging lots of elevation changes and scenic vistas . The new layout is phenomenal good job I will be back

Beautiful course, with lots of elevation change. Probably a little past its glory days, but still a lovely track. Had my best round of the year (so far), and the greens were GREAT!

Plenty of wild life to look at
only drawback was Layout of the greens very severe.
pin placements were put in some very poor locations

Good value for the money. Closest course to Kona on the Big Island.

Makalei is an enjoyable and challenging course with lots of variation due to elevation changes and the remote setting of the course.

This course has rough so long you cannot find your ball even 1 foot in. Course is not well maintained. For example weeds 6 inches high in fairway. It is tough course to play, but is much tougher with poor maintenance. Facilities don' t seem to be maintained or upgraded. It's a shame.

Great birds lush and green with nice holes friendly staff. Restaurant closed

great views from 3500 feet
No houses on fairways
Grass could use love

Playing golf was very slow, had to wait on every tee off. The couple golfing with me quit after 9 holes because of it. So I joined the couple behind me and we still had to wait on every hole on the back 9.

Very nice course, interesting holes and scenery, friendly staff, very good value for the money, joined me up with good people. Course not as narrow as many of the reviews here. Great natural surroundings, peacocks and pheasants everywhere, tame. Greens were extremely challenging.

Bring your"A" game, this course will test you! Also, local knowledge can save quite a few strokes... if you're paired with someone familiar with it.

After looking at the price you have to pay to golf other courses on the big island I decided to try Makalei. I played here two days in a row for around 50 dollars each day. This course I has very nice greens and many challenging holes. I played from the blue tees (around 6800 yds). The championship tees are 7100 yds and the white tees are around 6100 yds. For the price I think this is the best value on the island. Lots of elevation changes and an extremely fun course to play. I highly recommend that you save your money and try this golf course before playing the expensive courses here.

I played this course on a Sunday morning. I arrived early and checked, the golf cart attendant wasn't around so I waited ten minutes for a cart to the range and starting booth. I barely had time to hit a dozen balls and make a couple putts but enjoyed the round immensely. There are plenty of peacocks, geese, and other birds to keep you entertained.

Condition of greens was outstanding. Pace of play was very slow.

This is no joke this is a mountain course but with the bonus of beautiful ocean views. On a clear day you can see Maui, as well as 50 more less of coast. Every hole is interesting with a variety of challenges. Greens were in great shape the day I played.

The course was dry and the fairways provided some roll. The greens were great and putted true. Overall, this was a fun course to play and offered challenges in shot placement.

I have been playing Makalei for about fourteen years, when I come to Kona for vacation. I usually get to play it three times each visit. This time the new changes for tee-off location it's to confusing. Besides, the pairing contributed to very slow play: foursome very slow players, followed by a single player playing two balls. I was single and I asked the twosome behind to join me to speed up play. After three and a half hour we were still at hole # 12. The price through Golf Now was $ 68.50 I don't think it was worth it!.

Full disclosure: I didn't have time to play Makalei, but a cart tour of more than a handful of holes by the former general manager gave me just enough of a taste to want to come back and play. Makalei looks like a fun ride through the mountainous jungles of the Big Island. Some of the views that overlook the coast miles away - especially from the driving range and eighth tee - are pretty sweet. I think the routing change implemented in September, 2014, will help golfers ease into the round better than the previous first hole, a daunting uphill par 4. There's hundreds of feet of elevation change between the clubhouse and the holes higher up, so there's never a flat hole, or flat lie, on Makalei. Peacocks roaming about add to the beauty of the unique mix of flora and fauna. Makalei might be the best value on the island, a big draw for golfers looking to escape the pricier resort golf along the ocean.