Hirono Golf Club ☆ Follow

Hirono Golf Club is an 18-hole course located in Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The layout was designed by Charles Hugh Alison of Colt, Alison & Morrison Ltd, who completed the initial design in 1931 after inspecting the site. The course features a mix of par 3, par 4, and par 5 holes, with the front nine comprising three par 5s, four par 4s, and two par 3s. The back nine includes two par 5s, six par 4s, and two par 3s, creating a balanced but demanding test for golfers. The course is known for its undulating terrain and strategic design that reflects Alison’s classic style. Key holes include the long par 5 12th hole, which measures 604 yards from the black tees, and the par 5 9th hole at 561 yards. The par 3s provide a contrasting challenge, with the 7th hole stretching 217 yards from the black tees and the 5th hole measuring 176 yards. The course utilizes bent grass greens, a feature that was successfully established during the club's early construction and restored after a period of sand greens in the mid-20th century. Hirono Golf Club has a significant tournament history, having hosted the Japanese Open Championship multiple times, including in 1939, 1955, 1960, 1967, and 2005. It also hosted the 100th Japan Amateur Golf Championship in 2015 and the Bonallack Trophy in 2002. The course closed during World War II for agricultural use but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. A major renovation was undertaken in 2019 under the guidance of Martin Ebert, aiming to restore the course to its original Alison design characteristics while meeting modern standards.