Makena Golf and Beach Club (North & South Course)

Featuring 14 golf courses, there is no shortage of options on Maui. One of the very best is Makena Golf & Beach Club. Formerly known as the Makena Beach and Golf Resort until 2016, and before that as the Maui Prince Hotel until 2009, the Makena Golf and Beach Club is located just a few miles south of other prestigious resort hotels in Wailea. 

For Developers and Investors: Makena exemplifies our approach to creating signature resort destinations that capitalize on extraordinary natural settings. The property demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform challenging terrain into a distinctive golf experience that complements luxury hospitality development.

Robert Trent Jones II’s Masterpiece

Robert Trent Jones II added nine holes to each side of our original layout at Makena to create a pair of carefully crafted courses sculpted on the seaside flanks of 10,000-ft Haleakala, a dormant volcano. Design challenges were abundant. Many of the holes are terraced across sloping ground and play over lava rock and through native kiawe trees. As Robert Trent Jones, Jr. says of Makena, “Through careful planning and attention to some technical engineering principles we were able to present many of the holes separately and apart from all others. This creates a very special feeling for the golfer-almost like this tiny little part of the world was created just for you.” Jones also mentions “commanding views of what seems to be the entire Pacific Ocean.”

Design Evolution Insights: The phased development at Makena demonstrates our approach to expanding existing golf properties. This methodical enhancement process allows for optimization of both the playing experience and development potential while managing capital investment through strategic timing.

The Delightful North Course at Makena Golf and Beach Club

The delightful 6,914-yard North Course entertains with mountain and crater views, rock walls, and natural gullies and streambeds. Most fairways slope back toward the center, giving even less-skilled players a fair chance. The sixth hole presents a choice of fairways, each of which eventually crosses a steep ravine. From the scenic fourteenth hole, you can see four islands floating in the watery distance-one for every shot you'll hope to take on a 620-yard hole that drops 200 feet in elevation from tee to green. To maintain the natural scenic values of the property, the Jones II team hid the cart paths from view.

Technical Design Approach: The North Course illustrates our philosophy of creating player-friendly designs that incorporate significant natural challenges. The fairway contouring demonstrates how thoughtful grading can enhance playability while reducing maintenance requirements. The strategic concealment of infrastructure elements showcases our attention to preserving visual aesthetics throughout the golf experience.

The Open South Course at Makena Golf and Beach Club

Makena Beach’s South Course is a more open design with rolling fairways stretching to 7,017 yards. Members of the Aloha Section of the PGA chose the 502-yard par-five tenth here as one of the best par fives in Hawaii. The par-three fifteenth hole plays downhill straight toward the ocean, where humpbacked whales roll and tumble in their annual passage. The sixteenth hole, a 390-yard dogleg right, plays over a ravine and parallels the ocean on its way to a two-tiered green that kicks shots toward the water. As on many Scottish golf holes, hit short here and let the topography move your ball toward the flag.

Strategic Differentiation: The contrasting design approaches between the North and South courses demonstrate our philosophy of creating complementary experiences within a single development. This design diversity enhances the overall property value by appealing to a broader range of players and creating distinctive marketing opportunities for developers.

Terrain Adaptation Philosophy

The Makena property presented numerous design challenges, including:

• Volcanic terrain with lava rock formations
• Significant elevation changes across the property
• Integration of native vegetation and natural features
• Balancing ocean views with playability considerations

Our design approach focused on transforming these challenges into signature features that define the Makena experience. This philosophy of adapting to rather than fighting against natural terrain can provide developers with more sustainable and distinctive golf facilities.

First-Rate Facilities

The club offers a complete practice experience with:

• Full driving range
• Premium putting greens
• Comprehensive facilities supporting play from practice through the 18th hole
• Spectacular views of four Hawaiian islands on the horizon

From its thoughtful design to its stunning ocean vistas, Makena Golf and Beach Club represents the harmonious blend of championship golf with Maui's natural splendor.