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Rating Index Rating
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3.6
754 Reviews (754)
5 Stars
182
4 Stars
338
3 Stars
140
2 Stars
58
1 Stars
36
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.9
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.1
Amenities
2.3
79.3%
Recommend this course
628 out of 754 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.6
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.0
Amenities
2.3
StaffFriendliness
4.4
69.6%
Recommend this course
16 out of 23 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
47 Reviews (47)
5 Stars
10
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
12
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.8
Layout
4.2
Pace
4.2
Amenities
2.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
76.6%
Recommend this course
36 out of 47 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This mountain course delivers a thrilling layout of dramatic elevation changes, steep terrain, and resident peacocks roaming the tee boxes. Friendly staff, relaxed pace of play, and strong value make it a rewarding Big Island experience.

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.

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Makalei Golf Club
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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)
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Reviews

3.6
754 Reviews (754)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 12
Course Challenges Include:
Elevation Changes 37
Bunkers 16
Thick Rough 15
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 31
Advanced Golfers 18
Locals 18
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 22
Convenient to the City 19
Near the Airport 17

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Makalei

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.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 23
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Back 9 greens

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.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 20
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Wet weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bad pro shop

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

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Disappointing

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.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 66
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Interesting Mountain Course

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great concept but the course is in disrepair

This place has great possibilities but they have let it go as far as maintanence and the storage containers and trailer for a club house is oretty bad.

There are some spectacular views and some really fun holes but a lot of the greens were infested with other than grass stuff growing. Other greens were nice nut inconsistent. It is a large piece of property with miles of cart path that wonder from hole to tee for hundreds of yards with some really steep hills.

If I get back to this island I will look elsewhere to play

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course needs work

The tee boxes were temporary and not in good shape. and fairways were at hes of grass and dirt.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

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Mauna Lani South Courses - 13th Hole

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ISLAND OF HAWAII | Enjoy Lodging accommodations at Mauna Lani Auberge Collection and Golf at Mauna Lani Golf Club - North & South Courses.
Royal Ka'anapali Golf Course

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

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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.

Ka'anapali Stay & Play Package

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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.

Best of Maui Golf Package

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MAUI | Enjoy lodging accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and golf at the newly refined Kapalua Resort Plantation Course, the Royal Ka'anapali Course, the Ka'anapali Kai Course, or the King Kamehameha Golf Club.
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