Nishiwaki CC ☆ Follow

Nishiwaki Country Club, located in Nishiwaki, Hyogo Prefecture, is a 7,925-yard, par-72 facility designed by Tsuneo Abe and opened in 1974. The course is split into two distinct nine-hole loops, the West Course and the East Course, which share a single green complex. The West Course measures 3,481 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 36.7, while the East Course runs 3,444 yards with a rating of 36.5. The layout is characterized by bentgrass greens and offers players the choice between caddie-assisted or self-play with motorized carts. The West Course presents a mix of uphill and downhill challenges, beginning with a long 539-yard par-5 that requires a precise drive to the right side to avoid large trees on the right flank. The front nine features several accessible scoring opportunities, including a 359-yard par-4 where the fairway is notably wide on the right, allowing for aggressive approaches. However, the back nine introduces more significant hazards, most notably the 208-yard par-3 fifth hole, which is considered a signature short hole. This hole demands accuracy, as a water hazard guards the right side and out-of-bounds lines the left, while the elevated green requires a precise approach to the front. The East Course is widely recognized for its demanding fourth hole, a 558-yard par-5 described as a signature hole of the club. This hole features an S-shaped creek crossing the fairway, requiring careful distance management on both the tee shot and the second shot to avoid the water and Himalayan cedars on the left. The course also features a 376-yard par-4 fifth hole, known locally as "Bogey Valley," where the left side is out of bounds and a valley floor adds complexity. The ninth hole on this loop is a 461-yard par-4 that plays to a large green, rewarding bold play. Difficulty on the course is managed through strategic placement of hazards rather than sheer length. The East Course’s third hole is a 192-yard par-3 where missing the green to the back results in out-of-bounds, while the seventh hole, a short 143-yard par-3, challenges players with significant green slopes that can lead to three-putts. The West Course’s seventh hole, a 354-yard par-4, requires players to keep a water hazard in mind when selecting their club off the tee. The layout is designed to test precision and course management, particularly around the shared green complex where undulations and slopes play a critical role in scoring.