Big Island Golf

We have played golf all around Big Island, Hawaii, and are happy to share with you our experience.

Makalei Golf Course

Address: 72-3890 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

7091 yds Championship 74.3 / 144
6698 yds Blue 72.4 / 140
6161 yds White 68.7 / 134
5242 yds Red 65.6 / 118
3582 yds Yellow (Peacock Family Tees)

This is the first golf course that we have played as soon as we arrive on Big Island as it’s a short drive straight up the mountain from the Kona International Airport.  It’s situated in the Kona region on the west side of Big Island and has an elevation of 1800 to 2850 feet. The layout is scenic surrounded by lush forest. The most interesting characteristics of the course are the bent grass greens, lava tubes, cinder cones and a century-old wall and the spectacular view of Mount Haleakala on the island of Maui.

While playing, players can enjoy the local flora and fauna… including a great number of peacocks and pheasants. Guido has spotted a wild boar desperately trying to get out of a reservoir, and it looks like it’s exhausted. We call for help and eventually the groundskeeper arrives and  helps the animal hoist itself out of the water and it runs off into the woods.

It’s a fun course to play, and we have played there again before catching our departure flight.

Volcano Golf & Country Club

Address: 99-1621 Piimauna Dr, Volcano, HI 96785

Yardage: 6547/6190/5567 Rating: 70.8/68.8/70.7 Slope: 128/124/117   While on Big Island, it’s a must to play at the Volcano Golf & Country Club as it’s located in Volcano, at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  The golf course is on the rim of the active Kilauea volcano, which makes it truly special. Due to its elevation (4000 feet above sea level), the air is cool and crisp, but the fairways are pretty flat with a few rolling hills. In terms of hazards, there is a pond and three ditches which come into play on four of its 18 holes. The most challenging hole is #15, with a dogleg fairway surrounded by tall pine trees.   It’s a unique experience to play near an active volcano, but the course is a bit run down, and needs loving tending.  

Hamakua Country Club

45-3280 Mamalahoa Hwy

Honooka’a, HI 96727

1-808-775-7244

On our way to Hilo, we stop by Hamakua Country Club which is an executive golf course. It’s the second oldest golf course on the Island of Hawaii and was founded in 1926. It seems like it’s a rural community course with no staff present (so be sure to bring your golf equipment as there’s no rental unless you call ahead to reserve). There’s a box for players to put in the green fee.

It’s located in the Northeast coast of the island, 1200 feet above sea level. The nine hole layout has two sets of tees, white for the outward nine and blue for the inward nine. It measures 4800 yards and plays to a challenging par 66 for men and 74 for women. Although it’s a short course, it’s not easy as the lush fairways have steep slopes and the greens are small.

For those who would prefer a shorter course there is a par three layout with 18 sets of tees and holes ranging from 75 to 150 yards in length. The clubhouse sits at the top of the golf course and offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

Makani Golf Course

This public Golf Course features 18-holes plus activities such as stargazing & glow golf. par 72, 7136 yards

Address: 71-1420 Hawaii Belt Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 3:30PM   Phone: (808) 325-5044

Course Type: 18 holes, par 72	Yardage:  7116/6528/6012/5145
Yardage Markers: : sprinklers	Slope: 142/137/132/120
Rating:  75.6/72.2/69.4/70.5	Bunkers: yes

Makani Golf Course is located in Kailua.

The Makani Golf Course used to be called Big Island Country Club and is located in Kona, 2300 feet above sea level. On couple of holes you can enjoy the ocean view. Due to its elevation, the air seems cooler, and the fairways are slightly rolling.  Half of the fairways have water hazards, creating some fun challenges.

The greens are medium-sized, undulating and moderate in speed. The course is famous for its 17th hole, which is a par-3 with an island green.

We have really enjoyed this course and the staff is very friendly.

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & Golf Course

MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Drive
Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743 navigation place
Room Reservations: 1-877-880-6524
Hotel Direct: 1-808-882-7222

Course Statistics

Course Statistics	Yards	Par	Rating	Slope
Championship	7,370	72	76.6	144
Tournament	6,806	72	73.6	140
Resort	6,358	72	71.4	138
Composite	5,798	72	69.2	133
Forward	5,096	72	66.0	122

Mauna Kea Championship Golf Course

We find this award-winning Golf Course to be the most impressive during our stay in Big Hawaii. Created in 1964 by Robert Trent Jones Sr. on what was once a barren black lava field, the course has now lush fairways tumbling across seaside cliffs with coastal views. The course elevation, with undulating greens and ocean winds make it very challenging and fun.

The signature hole is #3,  over-the-ocean and breath taking in all senses of the word…  Players are sure to be in awe of the amazing ocean view.

We have thoroughly enjoyed playing at this course and the high green fees are totally worth it.

The bonus for us is, after golf, we could relax by the Mauna Kea Hotel private beach.

Amazing ocean view from the golf course

Beautiful private beach where we could relax and watch the gorgeous sunset.

Are you planning to go to Hawaii? Be sure to check out these golf courses!

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