GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
3.7
740 Reviews (740)
5 Stars
178
4 Stars
335
3 Stars
136
2 Stars
56
1 Stars
35
Conditions
3.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.6
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.3
81.1%
Recommend this course
618 out of 740 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
13 Reviews (13)
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.5
Layout
3.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
1.9
StaffFriendliness
4.5
69.2%
Recommend this course
9 out of 13 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
23
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.1
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
79.6%
Recommend this course
43 out of 54 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Makalei Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Makalei Golf Club

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)
The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

3.7
740 Reviews (740)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

A lot like a goat ranch greens are infected with weeds , no ball wash or any signs for the hole no yardage posted . It’s like there’s no management,

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 20
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Mountain gem

This is an amazing course. Very humble base station here about as humble as it gets but a great team and a truly remarkable golf course. Extremely memorable. Highly recommended

Theres enough vertical for a ski hill but holes are all well laid out. It’s a core course squared. Totally in nature. May get a little fog which makes it even more surrral. One of the very best golf experiences in the world.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Cold weather
Used cart

Play the side of a Volcano

Never played this course before. When I walked in the pro shop the first thing I was told was " you know this course is rated the toughest in Hawaii" He was right.

Course is hilly, rough is tough, moguls on every fairway.

It is an experience though. Environment is awesome. Fairways cut through the jungle on the side of a volcano. Where else can you do this. Sunday was very crowded. 5.5 hour round. That's too much. Try a weekday

It is worth the experience.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Makalei Mess

The clubhouse and facilities have been under repair for more than a year. Check in and toilets are in trailers. Signage for the 10 minute drive up to the driving range and first hole is poor. Rental clubs were pretty beat up and my right handed set had a left handed putter. Fortunately, one of my playing partners loaned me a putter. Management has removed the yardage markers in the fairway making it difficult to judge distances without a GPS. Many of the greens had polenta and other weeds which caused your put to change direction. Definitely not worth it unless you are only there for the scenic views.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

What an experience!

We literally played on a bird sanctuary. Great course layout with interesting holes. Lots of up and down elevations. So much fun (if you have a positive mindset). Stay in the fairway and you will be fine. If not, bring extra balls. We saw the Marshall a lot so he kept the flow of play amazing and it was a Saturday. Super nice guy!

Some greens on back 9 have weeds affecting the roll but…the scenery of the entire course makes it totally worth playing. Just enjoy it for what this course is. You will not regret playing it. Again, what an experience.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

An adventure to play.

Good layout on side of mountain. Challenging course. Condition not good but playable. Several greens nearly taken over with a foreign grass or weed. Play the ball up and enjoy your round.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Best value near Kona

Had my longest drive in golf (in a golf cart). The drive from the club house (a construction module) to the driving range is about 5 minutes). Remember that range balls are given out at near the club house, not the range - so back down the hill I went to fetch the balls I paid for and back up again. All in all, a 20 minute journey. Had two minutes to hit balls and were told to go to the tee. Frazzled and a bit out of sorts, we began our round. Thankfully, we played well as the pace was very fast up until the last few holes. Course is well kept for the terrain and environment. Temperature was perfectly mild. Some fairways are very uphill and some are very downhill.

All in all, a good value for around here. Would play again and be leased stressed now that I know the layout.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great views!

All stuff is very nice! Course is beautiful! You can see peacocks around— so exciting! Will come back!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Hawaii Mountain Golf

My son and I had a great time, the course views were great. A course that’s as you would image when you think of Hawaii mountain golf. Tons of elevation change on the course. I’d let people know that there is no clubhouse at the moment. Driving range was awesome. The greens on the first 11 or 12 holes were good, the remainder were having weed issues. We saw Turkeys, Peacocks (even an albino), Nene and of course Chickens/Roosters. Small, undulating greens. Course was decently tight. I could see if you were having a bad day, losing quite a few balls would come into play. All that being said, we were on vacation and had a very nice day on the course.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun course to play

I enjoy playing this course , very hilly, wonderful views, challenging designs. Much more grass than last year. Biggest problem is whatever type of grass is invading the greens☹️☹️, makes putting a real challenge.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Challenging

Makalei is a hilly targety layout, miss the fairway and you will have grassy lie. Undulating greens. Gotta bat your ball often on uneven lies. Good fun anyways. Too bad the cafe/bar was being renovated, always love the post round sitdown with new friends and cold beer.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

In very poor shape

This course was in very poor shape. The fairways are weeds . Lots of weed patches on the green that will affect your putts. Some bunkers are out of play as they don’t have sand in them. There are many beautiful views from this mountain layout. If money was put into the course it could be great ! Lots of beautiful peacocks running around - including an albino.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Nearby Courses
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Private
0.0
0
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Private
0.0
0
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Private
0.0
0
Kaupulehu Kona, Hawaii
Resort/Private
4.0
1
Kaupulehu Kona, Hawaii
Resort/Private
4.0277777778
7
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Private
4.5
2
Kailua Kona, Hawaii
Public
4.1913763179
832
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Resort
4.498226861
991
Waikoloa, Hawaii
Resort
4.0036014406
124
Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Resort
4.8070455924
139
Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Resort
3.9722222222
15
Golf Packages

Mauna Lani Auberge Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy Lodging accommodations at Mauna Lani Auberge Collection and Golf at Mauna Lani Golf Club - North & South Courses.
Mauna Lani South Courses - 13th Hole

Mauna Lani Auberge Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy Lodging accommodations at Mauna Lani Auberge Collection and Golf at Mauna Lani Golf Club - North & South Courses.

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.
Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at either The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali or the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and golf at Ka'anapali Kai Golf Course & Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course.

Best of Maui Golf Package

FROM $797 (USD)
MAUI | Enjoy 4 nights' accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and 3 rounds of golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, and King Kamehameha Golf Club.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account