Makena Golf Courses
Published On: Oct 26, 2006

The combined courses of the north and south offer a win-win for visitors of the Makena Golf Club.

The north course is a tight course built on the side of Mt. Haleakela, a dormant volcano that is considered an island landmark. The south course is an open course with spectacular views of Haleakala on one side and the ocean in the other. Both courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

The south course has recently undergone renovations. It is the home of the Hawaii Open and frequently hosts other tournaments. It also measures just over 7,000 yards.

With water on both sides of the No. 10 hole, this Par 5 hole has been voted one of the top courses in Hawaii, and is a super hole for driving. It also serves as a visual treat to tourists. The No. 15 hole is a Par 3 and butts right up against the ocean. With a bunker on the left front, it gets tricky navigating against the winds. The signature hole is the No. 16. It contains a dogleg lead up and a two-tiered green. That combination, and a good slope, makes it a Par 4 and a real challenge even to the seasoned golfer. Add to these challenges the possible distraction of passing kayakers or humpback whales, and maybe when you bogie the hole you will have an excuse.

Other than the tantalizing views, the north course is completely different. Its length is just short of the 7,000 yards of its sister course. Rather narrow and hilly, it is not a tournament course, but it's still a wonderful course to play. The course provides fabulous views of the Pacific Ocean, and the humpback whales. The course winds through lava flows, kiawe trees and natural stream beds, providing one of the most natural and unobtrusive courses that exist. Parts of this course are at an elevation of 800 feet above sea level.

With a wide variety of pars, this course offers a continuous challenge. Three of the Par 3 greens provide a significant challenge to the golfer. The seventh hole, with its lava ravine that crosses just in front of the slightly down hill multi-tiered green, offers few choice landing spots. When you add in the astonishing view of the island of Lanai in the background for a natural distraction, it adds all new meaning to the words Par 3.

Hole 12 is a different type of challenge. With a lava ravine from green to tee and bunkers on the opposite side, the choices are limited when teeing off. But be sure to enjoy the view as you make the attempt with this one.

The last of these three challenges is a long Par 3 and includes a steep downhill slope. Along with the steep slope, the player will encounter bunkers around the green that ensure your shot must be accurate.

With these Par 3 greens you can add the sixth tee and green. This tee has a backdrop of the islands of Kahoolawe and Molokini. A lava ravine that runs the length of the hole will force you to choose a left or right side of the green at the beginning of the tee off. This approaches a severe steep slope on the green and when you make the hole in two puts you should be thankful.

The 14th hole is the signature green for the north course. With a 200 foot drop in altitude, on a 625-yard fairway, this signature green is going to be a challenge even to the seasoned golf pro. Sprinkled with lava rocks, jungle plants and flowering plants, an errant shot will steal your day. This Par 5 is a challenge from start to finish.

The combined courses of the north and south Makena golf courses definitely offer a challenge to both the beginner and the experienced golfer.

The Makena Golf Courses
5414 Makena Alanui
Kihei, HI

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