Jack Open Competition

Komono Club Jack Nicklaus Golf Course

三重郡, Japan

Located in Komono, Mie Prefecture, the Komono Club Jack Nicklaus Golf Course is a 72-par, 18-hole layout designed by Jack Nicklaus. Established in October 1986, it holds the distinction of being the first golf course in Japan to bear the name of the legendary golfer. The course offers three sets of tees, with yardages ranging from 5,559 yards from the front tees to 6,838 yards from the full-back tees. The design philosophy emphasizes precision over power, requiring players to use strategy and course management rather than relying solely on distance. The terrain is characterized by undulating fairways, elevated greens, and strategic water hazards. The front nine features several demanding par-4s, including the 403-yard third hole, which requires a tee shot over a valley to a two-tiered green, and the 532-yard fourth, a long par-5 where out-of-bounds runs along the right side. The back nine introduces significant risk-reward scenarios, such as the 543-yard 15th, a dogleg-left par-5 where the fairway slopes heavily to the left, and the 402-yard 17th, which plays to a green protected by multiple bunkers on the right. Water hazards play a critical role in the difficulty of the course. The 11th hole is a 440-yard par-4 that doglegs right, with a pond guarding the left side of the fairway and green. The 14th hole, a 382-yard par-4, features a pond on the left side of the approach, while the 18th hole finishes with a creek running along the left side of the fairway and a water hazard guarding the front of the green. The course also includes notable short holes, such as the 147-yard second and the 193-yard fifth, which demand precise iron play to avoid bunkers and penalties. The club facilities are designed with a traditional Japanese aesthetic, inspired by the Katsura Imperial Villa. The clubhouse features a lounge with views of the Ise Mountains, a library dedicated to golf culture, and multiple competition rooms. The course is home to the annual Jacks Open, a long-standing club competition that attracts significant participation. Professional guidance is provided by club pro Tatsuaki Nakamura, who has competed on international tours and is known for his expertise in the "left-axis" swing theory.