Makalei Golf Club
Makalei Golf Club stands apart with its mountain-style layout, 18 challenging holes, and cool tropical air just above Kailua-Kona. Featuring dramatic elevation changes, lush fairways, and vibrant wildlife, the course offers a distinct and rewarding golf experience for those ready to trade seaside views for alpine terrain.
Course Overview
Makalei Golf Club presents an intriguing departure from the typical Hawaiian beachfront designs, standing as a lush, mountain-style course set high above Kailua-Kona. This 18-hole public layout offers an experience shaped by dramatic elevation changes, temperate mountain air, and sweeping views that occasionally reach out to the Pacific Ocean. Unlike other courses located near sea level, Makalei challenges players with its unique blend of dense tropical vegetation and volcanic terrain, creating distinct contrasts in footing and sightlines.
From the first tee, golfers embark on a journey through wooded fairways lined with native flora and wide expanses of undulating greens. The course’s mountainous terrain commands thoughtful club selection and shot placement, as uphill and downhill lies play a considerable role throughout all 18 holes. Players will find themselves navigating fairways that often slope sharply, demanding both precision and strategic creativity to avoid thick rough altered by local wildlife.
Wildlife adds personality to this golf experience, with frequent sightings of colorful peacocks roaming freely and occasional glimpses of wild pigs and mongooses. These animals contribute to an authentic natural environment, though golfers should be prepared for occasional course imperfections caused by them. Despite this, the greens remain surprisingly smooth and receptive, offering a pace that tests putting touch amid softer turf conditions.
Makalei appeals to a wide range of golfers, from those seeking a refreshing alternative to coastal Hawaiian courses to players eager to engage with a more walking-friendly mountain layout. The drive from the clubhouse to the first tee and driving range itself is a scenic introduction, winding through shaded forest. The driving range boasts a downhill, ocean-facing view that serves as a fitting prelude to the challenges ahead.
The course’s amenities are in a state of ongoing enhancement, including a newer clubhouse facility anticipated to expand golfer comfort. While carts are available, the property encourages walking, rewarding players who choose to experience the landscape intimately.
Overall, Makalei Golf Club offers a distinctive step beyond traditional island golf. It invites players to embrace variable conditions, rugged natural beauty, and a course design that rewards adaptability and attention to terrain. For visitors to the Big Island, Makalei’s quietly compelling approach to mountain golf establishes it as a worthwhile addition to any Hawaiian itinerary.
Course Highlights
Makalei’s defining traits include its mountain golf style set amidst native Hawaiian flora, extensive elevation shifts demanding thoughtful shot-making, and an abundance of local wildlife, particularly peacocks that freely roam the course. The downhill ocean-facing driving range offers scenic warm-ups, while the greens maintain a surprisingly fast pace despite moist turf conditions. The course's rugged terrain and occasional presence of wild pigs make for an authentic, immersive experience atypical of island golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
gomoses100
I love this course! The air is cool unlike those courses at sea level. The greens are top notch. The course is challenging. You feel as though playing in a tropical forest isolated from the crowds. Definitely my favorite course on the Big Island.
Ali Cork
Aloha, I wanted to take a moment to share a disappointing experience I had when calling Makalei Golf Course. I was simply trying to obtain an email address for the manager regarding a fundraiser, but the person who answered the phone was incredibly rude, dismissive, and condescending. Rather than offering assistance, he was snarky and unhelpful, making what should have been a simple request feel like an unnecessary challenge. His attitude was not only unprofessional but completely uncalled for. As someone reaching out with the intent of fostering a positive connection, I was taken aback by how poorly I was treated. I sincerely hope this is not reflective of the customer service standard at Makalei Golf Course. I would appreciate it if this matter were addressed, as first impressions and interactions like this can leave a lasting negative impact. Mahalo for your time.
Brian Taylor
With some TLC it would be exceptional! Greens are good, fairways have lots of cabbage. Cart paths are a little rough , driving range could use some flags and or yardage markers. New clubhouse in the works. Glad I played it but will give it some time for another round.
gomoses100
I love this course! The air is cool unlike those courses at sea level. The greens are top notch. The course is challenging. You feel as though playing in a tropical forest isolated from the crowds. Definitely my favorite course on the Big Island.
Tim Kohler
A great experience. First time playing a mountain course and the incline and decline of the holes was very interesting. Some holes had a distant ocean view. The large amount of peacocks and other wildlife was an added attraction. Very beautiful. The staff there was super friendly and helpful. Quick time to check in and get your cart. The cart trip to driving range/1st hole is about a 10 minute ride. The driving range faces the ocean and is sloped downhill. The only reason I didn’t rate a star higher is that the golf carts are very much in need of replacement. However, it was posted in the pro shop that new ones are on order. I’ll play this course again.
JM S
Overall very happy we played here and thought it was well worth the price, which is awesome for tourists visiting Hawaii that might not want to shell out big money for every round, especially if you find their coupon at the airport. It’s challenging (but not overly so) and a very interesting round, but you should not go here expecting resort-like conditions. If you don’t, I think you’ll really enjoy your round. Crazy ocean views from up above, lots of elevation changes, and beautiful holes. The drive from the clubhouse to the driving range and first tee is long through the lush woods and gives you a little peek at what you’ll be dealing with for most of the round, which is an awesome contrast against some of the lava rock filled courses closer to the ocean. The driving range has a beautiful view of the ocean and is straight downhill, which is fun. You will see an abundance of animals, including dozens of peacocks (which will aggressively pursue you, but not in a scary way - they’re just hoping for food), several wild pigs, mongooses, and many types of other birds. Yes, the pigs damage many of the holes fairly extensively, but if you go into your round expecting this and accepting moving your ball occasionally, you’ll be fine. I do wish the rough was cut a little more consistently and weeds were managed a bit more because it’s often tough to find your ball on the occasional blind shot if you miss the fairway or it takes a severe slope and a good chunk of time gets spent hunting balls. It rained off and on throughout our round, which we expected because of the course being up in the clouds, but as a result you should expect your ball to get muddied up or lost if plugging in soft turf. If I played here again I probably would bring some cheaper balls or at least start with ones I had leftover from previous rounds - I lost a few today that were confidently in play. Greens were shockingly fast for how moist and soft the greens were - I don’t think I left a single putt short, but you will be making and fixing huge pitch marks. Also be wary that they close the course earlier than most and you should probably get a tee time at 1 or earlier if booking in June - we teed off at 2 and finished 16 by about 5:30 and were told by a ranger that they’re closing up and we had to return our cart. I’m not docking them any points for that - I had read that was a possibility somewhere online ahead of time and it was in the back of my mind. But also, pace of play was great - we got 16 in within 3.5 hours and only had to wait on the group in front of us a couple times. A great cooler temp break between rounds at Mauna Lani South and North for us. I definitely haven’t ever played a course like this and for that alone I can’t be mad about anything here. If you need country club or resort conditions then this probably isn’t for you, but I think everyone should find this course fun.
Michael Richardson
Fun course to play. Huge elevation change from 1st tee to 18 green. Bring extra balls. Lots of peacocks & roosters. Awesome views of the ocean.
Jonathan Calo
mitch free
I'm not too picky, and knew what to expect going in, but I wouldn't play here again. Fairways basically non-existent, and tee boxes in rough shape. Not a single ball washing station anywhere on the course, just an empty pole where they should be. Was rubbed the wrong way to start the round, by the rather unfriendly cart attendant, who expected a tip for handing me rental clubs I paid for, then groaned when I asked for stiff shaft instead of regular. "If you are the tipping type, now is the time because I won't be here later." My girlfriend enjoyed the peacocks, but that was about it. The rental clubs were serviceable, no complaints there, but that interaction to start was lame. Didn't even put them on my cart for me, what would I tip you for, dude?
Tom F
Pretty unorganized process with checking in, the starter. Marshals not doing their job. Why would a golf course allow a six player group? Groundskeeping is lackluster and not a single ball washer on the course. Positives: good variation. Interesting holes. Nice views, bird sanctuary
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Course Details
Access & Location
72-3890 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Makalei Golf Clubhouse, recently updated to provide improved guest services and a welcoming atmosphere.
Walking is encouraged and supported, though players should prepare for significant elevation changes and bring proper footwear.
Open to all players; tee time reservation recommended, especially during peak season.
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