Ted Makalena Golf Course
A flat, friendly 18-hole municipal golf course on Oahu, known for its well-kept fairways and greens at affordable rates.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better pace
Ted Makalena Golf Course
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better pace
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A flat, friendly 18-hole municipal golf course on Oahu, known for its well-kept fairways and greens at affordable rates.
"Best municipal golf course on Oahu, good place for residents to get a good rate on a round of golf."
🎯 Book Tee Times in Advance
Secure your spot to avoid standby and ensure a smooth start to your round. :admission_tickets:
🚶♂️ Perfect for Walking
The flat terrain makes walking the course a breeze, even with a push cart. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Well-Maintained Greens
Throughout the course
Enjoy smooth, receptive greens with minimal bare spots, perfect for practicing your putting and chipping game.
Forgiving Fairways
Throughout the course
Wide-open fairways offer a forgiving experience, ideal for golfers looking to swing freely and improve their game.
Challenging Dog Legs
Select holes
Strategically cut corners on dogleg holes offer a fun challenge for those aiming to get closer to the pin.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Tee Off with Ease: Booking Your Round
Walking the Course: A Flat & Friendly Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Tee Times in Advance
Secure your spot to avoid standby and ensure a smooth start to your round. :admission_tickets:
🚶♂️ Perfect for Walking
The flat terrain makes walking the course a breeze, even with a push cart. :athletic_shoe:
👍 Friendly Staff
Expect a welcoming atmosphere from the course staff. :smiley:
🌳 Trimmed Trees & Brush
Easier to find your ball thanks to recent landscaping efforts. :evergreen_tree:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Tee Times in Advance
Secure your spot to avoid standby and ensure a smooth start to your round. :admission_tickets:
🚶♂️ Perfect for Walking
The flat terrain makes walking the course a breeze, even with a push cart. :athletic_shoe:
👍 Friendly Staff
Expect a welcoming atmosphere from the course staff. :smiley:
🌳 Trimmed Trees & Brush
Easier to find your ball thanks to recent landscaping efforts. :evergreen_tree:
⛳️ Practice Putting
Utilize the nice, smooth putting green to hone your skills. :golf_course:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Ted Makalena Golf Course is widely praised as one of Oahu's best municipal courses, offering well-maintained fairways and greens at affordable rates. Golfers appreciate the flat, walkable terrain and friendly staff, making it a great spot for improving one's game or enjoying a casual round. Some minor drawbacks include packed sand traps and the absence of on-site dining facilities.
"One of the better conditions as far as Muni courses go. There are only white (71) and red (72) tees but some holes play like blues (for me anyway). The course is entirely flat so it's very friendly for push carts, and many players do choose that over driving. Yet the pace of play is usually not bad, relative to West Loch and Ala Wai. Overall a good course to improve your game if you can get the tee time you want. The staff is friendly but just show up on time or expect to become stand-by."
Zinc Lin
"Best municipal golf course on Oahu, Good place for residents to get a good rate on a round of golf.
The good:
Tee boxes are kept up, and usually has nice grass.
Fairways are nice with just a few bare spots here and there.
Greens are nice and smooth, putts roll nicely. The greens are also receptive, so we can have fun some spin on our chips and pitches. No bald spots on the greens, people need to fix their divots, but still pretty smooth. Sand traps around the green mostly has sand. A few traps the sand is packed down pretty hard , but the staff does replace it from time to time.
The staff recently made strides in keeping the trees and brush trimmed. Finding your ball is a little easier.
The bad:
Some sand traps are packed down, a few of them not all.
Couple holes on the back nine had a cart path or paved walkway down the fairways are while back that was removed, grass has not fully grown over the dirt. A few bare spots because of that.
Only putting green located here, no driving range. No restaurant or food on location.
There's a few holes with dog legs that one can try to cut the corner and hit over the trees. Makes it a fun challenge try to get a little closer to the hole.
Course is pretty flat and good for walking. A lot people walk and pace of play is still pretty good."
Mike G
"30 years later I played Ted M. Golf course and WOW! The course looks amazing and the fairways are green 90% not like 30 years ago back then it was 90% dirt. I was beyond impressed with how well the course looked and played. The staff ran the line up perfectly and the players were very nice and friendly to play with. The only complaint is my golf game which is pathetic since I recently got back into golf. Overall this course is the best public course on the island. I hope to be back later to break 100 again hopefully 🤞🏻. Thank you again for the excellent experience playing Ted M."
Mint Body Fitness
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Ted Makalena Golf Course is located in Waipahu, Oahu. While specific public transport details can vary, it's generally accessible by car. Many visitors opt for ride-sharing services or personal vehicles.
Yes, parking is available for golfers. It's recommended to arrive a bit early to ensure a spot, especially during peak times.
From Waikiki, driving is the most convenient option. Alternatively, you can explore ride-sharing services or local bus routes, though these may take longer.
While the course itself is the main draw, the surrounding Waipahu area offers local eateries and parks.
Yes, the course is accessible, and its flat nature makes it easy to navigate once you're there.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Tee times can be booked in advance, which is highly recommended. Residents often get good rates. Arrive on time for your booking or expect to be put on standby.
Rates can vary, but it's known as a good place for residents to get a good rate on a round. It's best to check their official website or call for the most current pricing.
The course primarily offers white (71) and red (72) tees. Some holes may play longer, akin to blue tees for certain players.
While walk-ons are possible, it's not guaranteed. Staff prioritize those with reservations, so arriving early is advised if you don't have a tee time booked.
Operating hours typically align with daylight, but it's best to confirm directly with the course for specific opening and closing times, especially for twilight play.
🎫 ⛳️ Onsite Experience
Ted Makalena is an 18-hole, relatively short course (under 6000 yards) with a flat layout. It features three par-fives on the front nine and three par-threes on the back nine.
Yes, the wide fairways and flat terrain make it a forgiving and accessible course for beginners looking to improve their game.
Information on club rentals isn't explicitly detailed in all sources, but it's common for municipal courses to offer them. It's advisable to inquire directly with the course.
Despite allowing up to six players per group, the pace of play is generally considered good, especially given the flat nature of the course.
The course has a putting green for practice, but there is no driving range on-site.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Currently, there is no restaurant or food service available directly at the golf course. Visitors often bring their own snacks or plan to eat elsewhere after their round.
Yes, it's common for golfers to bring their own food and beverages, especially since there are no dining facilities on-site.
The surrounding Waipahu area offers various local eateries and casual dining options.
Local convenience stores and restaurants will offer a variety of soft drinks, water, and other beverages.
Given the lack of on-site food, packing a lunch or snacks is a practical suggestion for a full day of play.
📸 📸 Photography
The well-maintained fairways and greens, along with the scenic island backdrop, offer great photo opportunities. Capturing tee-off shots or scenic holes can be very rewarding. 
Absolutely! Many golfers share their swing videos and photos, capturing their experience on the course.
While not known for dramatic landmarks, the expansive green fairways and the general island atmosphere provide a pleasant visual backdrop for golf photography.
Twilight hours offer beautiful lighting for photography, with softer shadows and warm colors. Early mornings can also be stunning.
Drone usage policies can vary and are often subject to local regulations and course rules. It's best to check with the course management before flying a drone.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking a tee time during weekday afternoons when the course is typically less crowded, ensuring a more enjoyable and less rushed experience for everyone.
💰 Budget Travelers
The flat, walkable course also saves on potential cart rental fees if you prefer to walk.
🏌️♂️ Improving Golfers
The course's layout, with its strategic doglegs and emphasis on course management, offers a good challenge for developing players.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Course Conditions and Playability
The course's entirely flat layout is a major advantage, making it very comfortable for walking golfers and those using push carts. This feature, combined with a generally good pace of play, contributes to an enjoyable experience for a wide range of golfers.
While the course is relatively short, under 6000 yards, it offers strategic challenges. The presence of dogleg holes that allow players to cut corners presents an interesting risk-reward scenario.
Community Insights and Golfer Experience
Golfers often share their personal experiences, from aiming for personal bests to simply enjoying a casual round with friends. Videos showcasing golf swings, successful putts, and even challenging holes are common, reflecting the engaging nature of the course.
+2 The ability to play with up to six players per group is noted as a unique aspect that can lead to fun, social rounds, even if it sometimes impacts pace of play. For residents, Ted Makalena is particularly valued for offering good rates on rounds of golf, making it an accessible option for regular play.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit