Nishinomiya Kogen GC ☆ Follow

Nishinomiya Kogen Golf Club is a 6,906-yard, par-72 course located in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Designed by the renowned architect J.E. Crane and opened in 1963, the course is set on a sprawling 1.65 million square meter site characterized by rolling hills and a central valley. The layout is divided by a small stream and pond, with the front nine holes situated on the east side and the back nine on the west. This configuration places the 1st and 9th holes, as well as the 10th and 18th, in parallel, allowing the two tees and two greens to cluster around the clubhouse. The terrain features a maximum elevation difference of just 40 meters, yet the design utilizes the natural undulations to create strategic variety. The front nine begins with a demanding tee shot on the 1st hole, where a valley on the left creates pressure, while the 2nd hole presents a strategic valley-crossing par-3 onto a narrow, two-tiered green. The 3rd hole, a par-5, is a handicap 3 and features an OB line on the left, requiring precise placement on the fairway to set up an approach to a small green. The back nine introduces significant elevation changes, most notably on the 11th hole, a par-4 that requires a drive over a valley to reach an elevated green. The course is known for its strategic depth and visual challenges. The 14th hole, a par-5 and the 2nd handicap hole, features a large two-tiered green that rewards aggressive play, while the 17th hole offers a visually striking approach to a raised green with severe slopes on either side. The 18th hole concludes the round with a downhill, dogleg-left layout that leads to a sloping green, demanding careful distance control. The course features Bentgrass greens and offers multiple tee boxes, ranging from the Purple tees at 5,272 yards to the Champion tees at 6,956 yards. Nishinomiya Kogen Golf Club has a history of hosting various amateur and regional tournaments, including the Kansaigai Mid-Amateur Championship and the Hyogo Amateur Championship qualifiers. The club, which joined the Japan Golf Association in 1964, maintains a reputation for strategic design that challenges players through varied approaches and careful navigation of its natural terrain.