Makalei Golf Club

Challenging with many hills. A ten minute golf cart drive uphill to the first tee. A little disorienting in places… the back nine holes were more challenging.

Exceptionally helpful, kind and friendly staff.

No amenities like restaurant. The club house/ pro shop is in a trailer.

Good value.

No frills golf course in a Hawaiian jungle. You’ll need to hit your shot or OB. The foliage is so thick it’s rare that you’ll find an OB ball.

But, the tee boxes, fairways and greens are great. Not a PGA course, but still a great experience. Definitely not walkable. I mean, I do marathons but many holes are over 100 yds apart. No GPS in carts. But staff (pro shop, starter and Marshall) are all friendly.

Highly recommend.

This course is very hilly and you must drive a long distance just to get to the first hole and to drive in between holes often takes several hundred yard. There is no way to walk this course. He found the greens to be in pretty good shape and lots of Slope on many of them making them challenging.

There has been a dry spell on the big island so there was no threat of rain this day while we played in the afternoon however, should you want to play? I suggest you definitely watch the weather forecast and be ready for Rain anytime of year in this area where Kona coffee is grown.

Because there are long distances between holes, you can count on playing a longer round if there’s just a typical number of golfers on the course. There is a Marshall to keep people moving and that was good to see that that was not an issue. It is nice up here as the weather is 5 to 10° cooler than the coastline and often cover in clouds

One of the cheapest places to play on the big island and definitely a value if you get a deal.

Played this course last year and was disappointed with the conditions. This year was much better shape and an enjoyable experience. Great pace of play, great value. Will definitely play again on this visit.

We love golfing at this course. Very hilly and challenging but beautiful views when it’s clear.. lots of peacocks, birds and other wildlife . Wish there were some generic yardage markers . They have a few but are very obscure in the ground . The carts are very loud but understandable given the terrain . It really is a lovely course and more more reasonable than the resort golf prices on empty courses.

The views from this course are amazing and the peacocks ever present and beautiful birds. however there is no pro shop or restaurant/snack bar. The course layout has you driving forever to get to the driving range and first tee from where you check in. Course was in pretty rough shape with some weedy grasses in the fairway. Greens held the ball reasonably well and the slower group ahead let us play through. After playing had I known the course conditions beforehand I would not have made reservations here. Being on the island for only a week there are many other places in better shape to play.

First 9 holes are awesome but back 9 greens are terrible shape weeds are growing on the green but I enjoy the play. Only one thing complaint is too many single players on the field starter need to organize them to make a pair.

The lady at the counter was not a happy person. Started my golf round in a bad mood. The starters were very friendly

Poor conditions ruined my enjoyment of my round of golf. From fairways, tees to greens the course was one of the poorest I have ever played. Add to that there is major damage being caused by wild pigs.

To bad because the course is unique and has alot of potential. A 1000 ft elevation change from top to bottom provide for some demanding club selections. It has some nice ocean and jungle views..

Currently no clubhouse, just trailer for proshop and bathrooms.

A lot of up and down since the course has a 1000 ft elevation change. The elevation keeps the weather cooler, 75 degrees for us. Course fairways are chewed up in places, maybe due to wild boars looking for grubs. Some greens have damage that look to us like frost damage, but probable not since this is Hawaii, but similar none the less. Overall, a decent course to play for the cost and the weather.