Ocean Palace GC ☆ Follow

Located on a peninsula in Nagasaki City, the Ocean Palace Golf Club is a 18-hole, par-72 seaside course that winds along the coast of the Omura Bay. The layout is defined by its dramatic topography, featuring numerous tee shots that require players to clear water hazards or navigate over inlets to reach the fairways. The course is designed to test both distance and precision, with a significant number of holes demanding shots over the sea or across narrow channels of water. The front nine begins with a straightforward downhill opening hole before moving into a series of challenging doglegs and blind shots. The difficulty ramps up as the course hugs the coastline, with holes like the 4th and 6th requiring precise carries over the bay. The back nine introduces the course's most famous feature, the 11th hole, which is a par-3 that requires a tee shot over a strait. This "strait crossing" is a defining characteristic of the layout, testing the golfer's nerve and accuracy against the elements. The course features a mix of hole lengths, including two par-5s on the back nine (15th and 16th) that offer scoring opportunities for long hitters, though they are guarded by water and tight fairways. The 14th is a short par-3 that plays over an inlet, with the green situated close to the water's edge. The 17th, a par-4, is another water-bearing hole that requires a 160-yard carry, leading to a fast, sloping green that penalizes inaccurate approaches. Local rules dictate that any tee shot going out of bounds must be replayed from a designated forward tee with a penalty stroke. Similarly, shots crossing a specific yellow stake line are subject to a penalty stroke and must be played from a forward tee. For shots that cross this line after the tee shot, players must drop at the point of crossing and play from the nearest fairway. These rules emphasize the penalty for errant shots in this coastal environment. The facility hosts various local tournaments, including the Nagasaki Prefectural Golf Association qualifiers and the Grand Senior competition. The course is part of the Ocean Palace Golf & Resort, which includes a hotel with ocean views, allowing for a combined golf and stay experience. The location provides a unique blend of rugged coastal scenery and manicured golf turf, offering a distinct challenge for players in the Nagasaki region.