Araragi Golf Festival

Araragi Country Club

下伊那郡, Japan

Araragi Country Club is a 18-hole, par-72 golf course situated in the mountainous region of Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Located at an elevation of 1,200 meters near the border with Aichi Prefecture and the southern foothills of the Central Alps, the course is set in a highland environment characterized by clear streams that flow eastward through the center of the property. The layout is defined by several holes that require crossing these streams, adding a distinct strategic element to the round. The course features a mix of uphill and downhill terrain, with significant elevation changes influencing play. The front nine includes a short, downhill par-4 on the first hole, where players must navigate toward the left side of the fairway and approach a green that plays fast from the front. The fifth hole, a par-5, presents a downhill challenge with a water hazard guarding the front of the green, making a left-side approach the preferred strategy for reaching the green in regulation. The back nine introduces a demanding uphill par-5 on the 15th hole, where a narrower fairway requires precise driving, and the green plays fast from back to front. Official JGA course ratings from 2003 indicate a course rating of 69.8 and a slope rating reflecting the difficulty of the regular tees, which measure 6,188 yards. The back tees extend the total distance to 6,534 yards, with a course rating of 71.2. The layout includes three par-3s, six par-4s, and nine par-5s, with handicap indices distributed across the holes to balance the challenge. The course is designed to test accuracy and distance control, particularly on the longer par-5s and the elevated greens that feature fast slopes.