Makani Golf Club
Makani Golf Club combines volcanic landscape with tropical jungle to create a challenging yet approachable 18-hole course on Hawaii’s Big Island. Featuring panoramic volcano views and a standout par 3 17th hole, it offers a rugged and strategic golfing experience for a wide range of players.
Course Overview
Makani Golf Club presents an intriguing blend of volcanic terrain and lush jungle foliage, offering a distinctive golf experience on Hawaii’s Big Island. This 18-hole public layout challenges players with its unique topography, where undulating fairways wind through thick tropical vegetation and occasional water hazards. The course plays significantly into its setting, providing panoramic views of towering volcanoes in every direction, particularly from the opening tee. Its design encourages thoughtful shot placement more than brute force, rewarding precision over length.
While Makani’s routing reflects the volcanic origins of its landscape, it remains accessible to a broad range of skill levels. Some holes feature generous fairways, easing approach shots, yet others demand strategic navigation around tight doglegs and well-placed sand traps that guard the greens. The elevated greens vary in size and slope, requiring careful attention to pace and break. Golfers should prepare for subtle elevation changes that add depth without overwhelming the walk.
The 17th hole is a captivating par 3, drawing natural comparisons to the iconic TPC Sawgrass 17th. Surrounded by scenic volcanic backdrops and water features, it stands out as a memorable pivot point in the round. The surrounding jungle hints at a prehistoric atmosphere, with flourishing native flora and birdlife adding an ambient soundtrack to the game.
Makani embraces a more rugged charm, as maintenance and amenities do reflect its position as a municipal-style course rather than a luxury resort. Rental clubs are available, though golfers might consider bringing their own gear to enhance play. Caddies are not mandatory, but carts are required, which helps manage the course’s flow amid its uneven terrain.
Despite some inconsistencies in upkeep, Makani Golf Club offers an adventurous round framed by nature’s raw spirit. It rewards players seeking a course that tests tactical thinking and provides volcanic vistas away from the coastal bustle. For those enticed by Hawaii’s inner island character, this course delivers a noteworthy, if unrefined, golf outing.
Course Highlights
Makani’s defining features include its volcanic terrain integration and lush jungle surroundings that frame each hole. The dramatic par 3 17th hole, reminiscent of TPC Sawgrass’s iconic hole, stands out with a water hazard on the approach and stunning island views. The course layout challenges players with narrow fairways, strategic bunkering, and undulating greens while maintaining a playability that suits various handicaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Reviews
Steve Dooley
Nice course and staff overpriced club rentals. I chose the more expensive Cleveland clubs to rent. Driver light as a feather had to switch to the 3 wood which was much better off the tee. No sand wedge which was ridiculous. Luckily my local playing partner let me use his when needed. Also, no towel provided with club rentals. Definitely not worth the . cost was bitter off renting the lower cost Titlelist set which I later found out had a sand wedge. My advice is to just rent the Titleist. Had a great time regardless.
Gregg Bauer
This golf course is not near the level of its current average google review. First the order of holes appears to have been rearranged due to the confusing maze of the golf cart pathways. Second the course maintenance level currently is not up to “par” for the price charged. Third the clubhouse is probably the worst clubhouse I’ve ever been in complete with the tarp over the 70-80’s geo dome. Bottom line is it’s not worth the visitor rate to play it. I’m an out of town guest who has no affiliation to this golf course and I’m a single digit handicap who plays a lot of golf mainly in California but also in Arizona and Oregon.
Jed Butler
What a unique and well-designed course. Supurb layout, maybe the best I've ever played. Every hole feels special and challenging in it's own right, with multiple ways to play. Not to mention the volcano views and jungle atmosphere feel straight out of Jurassic Park. Greens are highly variable in size and leveling, and in good shape. Some fairways are generous, and some are narrow. Water features on a number of holes, including the most beautiful island par 3 (17th) I've ever played. This 17th hole is made more interesting that it is a twin to the TPC Sawgrass 17th, which was designed by the course architect Perry Dye's father, Pete Dye. Additionally, topography is varied throughout the course without being overbearing. Lots of trees, heavy jungle rough, and many well-placed sand traps. Not an easy track. If you're thinking of playing here for a 5-star resort experience, I would skip. The staff is friendly and doing their best, but this is ultimately a failed country club turned mostly municipal golf course. So it's a little shabby, some tee boxes are uneven, and would need a major rennovation to compete with Mauna Kea or Hualalei. But there's literally zero development on the course (yet! the course is for sale) to distract from the many bird varieties and endless flora, and on the first tee box, on a clear day, you can see volcanos every way you look. The weather is an easy 10-15 degrees coolor than the coastal courses, and a little bit of fairway rain was more refreshing than frustrating. Yes the tiny pro shop could not have tarps on the roof, and the rental clubs were pretty rough, but if you love the game of golf and the challenge of playing an incredible course design carved out of a volcanic jungle, then you'll have as good a time as we did. 10/10 would play this hidden gem again.
Donghwee Cho
Cheap but very good course. Less than $100 after 12 is a bargain. Not much people and enjoyed it very much.
Brian Rohan
Enjoyable experience while on the big island. A bit more expensive than what I was expecting since many sites pointing to the course indicated that a small bucket of balls was included. I rented clubs and no game balls were included (many club rentals I've done come with game balls, usually two sleeves). This is my first Hawaiian course play. Course was in decent shape, fairways had plenty of carry. The greens were fair. Staff was quite helpful. Not as much ocean scenery along the course as some of the marketing leads one to believe. The course is fun to play with plenty of dog legs, undulating fairways. Your first time playing I recommend a course map app so you can see hidden obstacles.
W Doe
David Avallone
Favorite course on the island to play. Super reasonable twilight rates and great staff that are helpful and fun to interact with.
Charles Van Kirk
This review is written out of love for the beautiful scenery up in the mountains, the quirky and mostly fun course layout, and the nice staff. My two frustrations with playing at Makani were: 1. The tee times were unorganized in terms of timing and group size, which led to a backed up and slow round. 3 groups of varying sizes were stacked per hole for the majority of 18. 2. Mandatory carts. I politely asked to walk and was not allowed to. This is not unique to Makani, but is a big frustration for me on golf courses. I find that walking contributes to the enjoyment of the game and allows for a bit of exercise. This course is not a difficult walk; I play quickly, am a single digit handicap and am in good shape. I spent most of the day waiting for other folks to hit shots, thus I would have rather been able to do so on foot.
Gregg Bauer
This golf course is not near the level of its current average google review. First the order of holes appears to have been rearranged due to the confusing maze of the golf cart pathways. Second the course maintenance level currently is not up to “par” for the price charged. Third the clubhouse is probably the worst clubhouse I’ve ever been in complete with the tarp over the 70-80’s geo dome. Bottom line is it’s not worth the visitor rate to play it. I’m an out of town guest who has no affiliation to this golf course and I’m a single digit handicap who plays a lot of golf mainly in California but also in Arizona and Oregon.
Karl Yamauchi
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Course Details
Access & Location
71-1420 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Makani Golf Clubhouse offers basic amenities including a small pro shop and snack bar.
Walking is not permitted; carts are mandatory due to course layout and operational policy.
Open to the public with tee times available online and by phone. Rental clubs provided on site with limited selection.
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