THE Akashi Open

Akashi GC

兵庫県, Japan

Located in Nishiku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Akashi Golf Club is a flat, strategic 18-hole course set in a city environment. The layout offers expansive views of the Rokko Mountains to the east, the Beeshima Islands to the west, and Awaji Island to the south, with distant views of Shikoku and the Kii Peninsula on clear days. The course is designed to require a clear game plan for every shot, utilizing its level terrain to test precision and strategy rather than elevation changes. The front nine totals 3,225 yards from the regular tees for a par 36, while the back nine measures 3,229 yards, also for a par 36, bringing the total regular yardage to 6,454. The course features a mix of long par-5s, including the 600-yard 7th and the 590-yard 18th, alongside several demanding par-3s. Handicaps are assigned to specific holes to balance the difficulty, with the 3rd hole (par 4) and the 14th hole (par 4) serving as the most difficult strokes holes at handicap 1 and 2 respectively. Strategic hazards define the playing experience, with numerous bunkers and out-of-bounds areas requiring careful navigation. The 1st hole presents a long 510-yard challenge where players must avoid a bunker on the left and a large bunker guarding the front of the green. The 4th hole is a dogleg right where a bunker sits at 180 yards, and the green is protected by out-of-bounds to the rear. The 10th hole is a 340-yard par 4 where the right side is entirely out of bounds, forcing players to aim left and avoid the risk of a double bogey. The course is known for its fast greens, particularly on the back nine where the 14th hole features a green that runs fast from left to right. Several holes require players to carry bunkers or valleys, such as the 12th par-3 which is a valley shot that penalizes short attempts. The 18th hole is a 560-yard par 5 that finishes with a demanding approach, requiring players to navigate a right-tilting fairway and avoid bunkers to set up a manageable finish. The club hosts the "Akashi Open," a tournament where results are determined by the front nine score, allowing players to collect prizes immediately after completing their round.