Makalei Golf Club

Makalei Golf Club offers a distinctive mountain golf experience on Hawaii’s Big Island, presenting an 18-hole course that challenges and delights with its elevation changes and lush surroundings. As a public course, Makalei welcomes golfers of varying skill levels, blending approachable playability with strategic demands that can test even low handicappers. The course’s layout stretches across a forested hillside, where the terrain shapes every shot and the landscape plays an active role in the round. Steep slopes and elevated tees provide not only visual interest but also require thoughtful club selection and trajectory control.

The course features a mixture of tight tree-lined fairways and wider landing areas, allowing different lines of attack depending on a player’s confidence and style. Greens are known to be surprisingly fast and well-maintained, offering true rolls despite the moist mountain air. Players should expect a fair test of accuracy and distance management, especially given the elevation shifts that often amplify or reduce yardages in unexpected ways.

One of Makalei’s most remarkable traits is its elevation, which lends a cooler climate and a refreshing break from the heat common at many Hawaiian island courses. From the driving range, which slants downhill with panoramic ocean views, to various points along the course, glimpses of the nearby Pacific Ocean provide a breathtaking backdrop to the golf experience without the typical sea-level conditions.

Wildlife is a regular and sometimes whimsical presence here, with peacocks meandering through fairways and the occasional wild pig or mongoose making appearances. These interactions remind players that the course thrives in its natural environment, requiring an occasional adapted shot or careful ball search if the terrain or wildlife shifts the ball slightly.

Makalei’s fairways often feature dense rough and native vegetation, which adds to the challenge but also reinforces the feel of playing golf within a Hawaiian montane forest. Golfers should bring extra balls and be prepared for occasional uneven lies and subtle blind shots. Pace of play tends to be efficient, supported by friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere.

Though the clubhouse and cart facilities show signs of needing updates, the course itself remains engaging and rewarding for golfers seeking more than conventional resort style. Its mountain character, combined with sweeping vistas and a laid-back vibe, carve out a unique space for golfers wanting to explore the less-traveled side of Big Island golf.