Makena Golf and Beach Club (North & South Course)

Makena Golf & Beach Club is a 36-hole golf facility in Makena, Maui, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Known for its dramatic volcanic terrain, ocean views, and award-winning courses, Makena is considered one of Hawaii’s premier golf destinations. 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. 

Located on Maui’s southern shoreline, Makena Golf & Beach Club reflects Robert Trent Jones II’s belief that great golf design begins with understanding the land itself. From elevated fairways that trace ancient lava rock to greens bordered by native kiawe trees, every contour enhances the island’s natural beauty. The routing opens to wide views of Molokini Crater and nearby islands, giving players a sense of scale that few courses achieve. Within Maui’s network of celebrated resort venues, Makena is distinguished by its precision balance of strategy, scenery, and calm atmosphere. It captures the essence of the RTJ II approach: letting the site’s character shape every playing experience.

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.

Makena also illustrates the RTJ II team’s integrated planning approach used throughout coastal resort developments worldwide. Working with architects, engineers, and environmental experts, the design aligned course corridors and elevations with surrounding residential and hospitality areas. This coordination allowed the golf component to enhance property value while protecting natural views and drainage patterns. Similar methods define other RTJ II projects across the Pacific, from Mexico to Asia, where golf serves as a focal point for sustainable community growth. At Makena, construction was sequenced carefully to respect environmental seasons and development pacing. The result is a destination that demonstrates how strategic design and responsible planning can strengthen both the visitor experience and long-term investment potential.

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

Environmental care guided every stage of work at Makena. The RTJ II team introduced discreet drainage systems and efficient irrigation to prevent runoff into nearby reefs. Native and drought-tolerant grasses were chosen to conserve water and maintain the natural color palette of Maui’s dry coastal slopes. Geological formations such as lava ridges were preserved as strategic and visual anchors rather than cleared away. Each hole was oriented to take advantage of prevailing trade winds and sunlight for natural cooling and consistent turf growth. The completed layout feels organic, as if it had always belonged to the land. Makena stands as proof that technical precision and environmental respect can coexist to create an authentic island golf experience.

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.

Makena’s influence extends far beyond Maui. Its lasting combination of challenge, visual drama, and ecological balance continues to shape resort development across the Pacific region. The course embodies Robert Trent Jones II’s enduring philosophy that golf should reveal the spirit of a landscape rather than dominate it. For designers and players alike, Makena remains a model of harmony between recreation and environment.

Makena Golf & Beach Club — FAQs

Who designed Makena Golf & Beach Club?

Makena Golf & Beach Club (North & South Courses) was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. (RTJ II) and the RTJ II design team.

Where is Makena Golf & Beach Club located?

Makena is in Makena, Maui, Hawaii (USA), on the seaside slopes of Haleakalā.

When was Makena built and renovated?

The original layout opened in 1981, expanded in 1993, and underwent a renovation in 2008.

How many courses does Makena have and what are the yardages?

Makena features two 18-hole courses: the North Course (6,914 yards) and the South Course (7,017 yards).

What makes the North Course unique?

The North Course terraces across volcanic terrain with lava rock and native kiawe trees, offers panoramic Pacific views, and uses concealed cart paths to preserve sightlines.

What makes the South Course unique?

The South Course is more open with rolling fairways and oceanfront holes. The par-5 10th is recognized among Hawaii’s best, and the par-3 15th plays downhill toward the ocean.

What awards has Makena received?

Makena has been honored by Golf Digest, Golfweek, and GOLF Magazine, including “Top Courses You Can Play in Hawaii,” “Top 100 Resort Course,” and “Silver Medal Resort.”

What type of golf setting is Makena?

Makena blends coastal tropical and parkland characteristics in a resort environment with commanding ocean views.