Dai Atami International Golf Club ☆ Follow

Dai Atami International Golf Club is a 36-hole facility located in Izunokuni, Shizuoka, situated on a hillside at an elevation of approximately 450 meters. The course is divided into two distinct 18-hole layouts: the strategic Ohito Course and the beginner-friendly Atami Course. Designed by J.E. Crane and opened in October 1962, the resort offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji and the Amagi Mountain Range, with the clubhouse serving as a starting point for rounds that emphasize the natural landscape and seasonal changes. The Ohito Course is characterized by its strategic demands and tournament-quality design. Its signature hole is the 16th, a par-4 handicap 6 that plays from 350 yards from the back tees. This hole features a dogleg layout where players must navigate out-of-bounds on the left and large trees on the right, requiring precise tee shot placement to control risk. The course includes dramatic downhill shots, such as the first hole, and challenging par-3s like the third, which is noted as the most difficult short hole due to wind conditions and the need to aim short of the green for safety. Other notable features include the fourth hole, described as the most memorable, where OB to the left dictates a right-side tee shot, and the seventh hole, which requires a carry over a valley with bunkers guarding both sides of the green. The Atami Course provides a contrasting experience, designed to be more accessible while still integrating with the surrounding natural environment. Both courses are set within rich vegetation that changes with the seasons, offering views of the blooming flowers in spring, new greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snow-capped peaks in winter. The facility includes a clubhouse with a distinctive ship-like roof, a restaurant, a training ground with ten bays, and a bunker practice area. The resort also features a rest house at the start of the Atami course and is located near the hot spring town of Atami, allowing players to extend their experience with local dining and sightseeing.