Hatsuho Country Club Shirasawa Kogen Course ☆ Follow

Located in Numata, Gunma, Hatsuho Country Club is a 7,206-yard, par-72 championship course set in the Shirasawa Kogen highlands. Opened in September 1992, the facility was developed by Chobei Miyazawa and is operated by the Shirasawa Kogen Resort Co., Ltd. The course is classified as a hill course, offering expansive fairways and minimal elevation changes that facilitate dynamic shot-making. The layout is designed to provide clear sightlines of the Jomo mountain range, integrating the surrounding landscape into the playing experience. The course presents a strategic test for golfers, with hazards such as ponds and bunkers placed to demand precision. The front nine features a mix of hole types, including the 13th handicap, a 400-yard par-4 that plays slightly left dogleg. The 5th hole, a 175-yard par-3, requires accurate distance control due to a large bunker positioned to the left front of the green. The 14th hole, a 420-yard par-4, plays to a raised, plateau-style green and requires players to account for a slope that runs from left to right. The back nine introduces more significant challenges, particularly on the long par-4s. The 17th hole is a 501-yard par-4 that plays downhill and features a pond guarding the left side of the green, making a right-side approach the recommended strategy. The 14th hole on the back nine is a 590-yard par-5, providing a long finishing stretch. The course includes multiple tee boxes, ranging from the black tees at 7,206 yards to the red tees at 5,310 yards, with a course rating of 72.9 from the black tees. Hatsuho Country Club is a member of the KGA (Kokusai Golf Association). The facility is managed by a dedicated staff and offers various amenities, including a restaurant, VIP rooms, and accommodation options for visitors. The course is known for its strategic design that rewards thoughtful play, with hazards placed to penalize inaccurate shots while maintaining a flowing, open layout.