Tanabe CC ☆ Follow

Tanabe Country Club is a private, members-only golf course located in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The 18-hole course was designed by Yoshikazu Sato, a renowned short-game specialist, and opened in November 1960. The layout is characterized by its flat, rolling terrain, which is described as rare for the Kansai region. Sato’s design emphasizes strategic play, featuring wide fairways that contrast with high-difficulty greens. The course offers multiple tee sets ranging from 4,721 yards to 6,880 yards, all set at a par of 72. The course is divided into an outward and inward nine with distinct challenges. The front nine is noted for its length and the requirement for long drives, while the back nine introduces more undulation and strategic placement of mounds and bunkers around landing zones. The difficulty is reflected in the course ratings, which range from a 64.6 for the diamond tees to a 74.5 for the black tees. Signature holes include the long par-5 5th, played from 600 yards from the back tees, and the 11th, a demanding par-4 that carries a handicap index of 2, making it one of the most difficult holes on the layout. Tanabe Country Club has a significant history in Japanese golf, hosting numerous prestigious tournaments. It was the venue for the 1963 Japan Open Championship, won by club professional Tohito Toda, and has hosted the Kansai Open, the Japan Grand Senior Golf Championship, and the 76th Kansai Open Golf Championship. The club also hosted the final rounds of the Kansai Amateur Golf Championship and the Japan Mid-Amateur Championship. The course is known for its seasonal beauty, particularly the azaleas that bloom across the grounds in spring, and maintains a strict code of conduct to preserve its traditional atmosphere.