熊本県, Japan
Located in the city of Arao, Kumamoto Prefecture, the Kyushu Golf Club Kodaisan Course is a 72-par, 18-hole championship layout designed by Toshiyasu Kato. Situated on a hilly terrain that offers distant views of the Ariake Sea, the course is characterized by its rolling topography and strategic design that mimics the feel of links golf. The facility features Bent grass greens and accommodates various playing styles, including caddie-assisted rounds and self-play with GPS navigation. The course layout spans 6,721 yards from the back tees, with a course rating of 71.8, presenting a significant test for golfers through its undulating fairways and varied elevation changes. The front nine begins with a demanding par-5 first hole, a slightly uphill long hole that requires precise placement on a two-tiered green. The opening stretch includes the par-4 third hole, a dogleg right where a water hazard and sand bunkers guard the approach to a raised green. The fourth hole is a horizontal par-3 protected by white sand bunkers, where wind conditions play a critical role in club selection. The front nine concludes with the ninth hole, a downhill par-4 that plays toward the clubhouse, featuring a green surrounded by trees and bunkers that penalizes overshooting the target. The back nine introduces more dramatic elevation changes and strategic dilemmas. The sixth hole is a downhill par-5 where the second shot must navigate a fairway bunker and water hazard, offering a dramatic choice between aggression and caution. The seventh hole is a long par-3 with a 44-yard long, undulating green that is heavily influenced by wind. The twelfth hole, a par-5, requires a tee shot over a valley with a distinctive tower visible on the left, leading to a green guarded by a 40-yard deep bunker. The course finishes with the fourteenth hole, a short par-3 that tests precision with its lack of straight putting lines and surrounding bunkers. Key characteristics of the Kodaisan Course include its strategic use of water hazards, which are strategically placed to guard greens and fairways, and the frequent presence of two-tiered greens that require accurate approach shots. The fairways are generally wide but often feature subtle undulations or hidden bunkers that demand accurate driving. The design by Toshiyasu Kato emphasizes a "intellectual space" where players must constantly calculate risk and reward, particularly on the par-5s and the challenging par-3s. The course is known for its open, airy feel and the visual appeal of its natural surroundings, including seasonal azaleas and peach trees that line the fairways.
