Karasuyama Castle CC ☆ Follow

Karasuyama Castle Country Club is a 27-hole facility located in Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The course is situated on a 1.8 million square meter site and is divided into three distinct nine-hole courses: Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Sanmaru. The layout was designed by renowned architect Seiichi Inoue, who is also credited with designing courses such as Kasumigaseki, Takaidai, and Yomiuri Golf Club. Inoue’s design philosophy emphasizes both ornate aesthetic beauty and high-level strategic complexity, creating a course that balances visual appeal with challenging tactical demands. Each of the three courses plays to a par of 36, with total yardage varying by tee selection. The Honmaru course features a signature par-4 eighth hole, which measures 466 yards from the black tees. This hole is described as a strategic challenge where the ideal drive line is between two mounds on the left side, while a safer route lies to the right. The ninth hole on the Honmaru course is a demanding par-5 measuring 554 yards from the black tees. It plays as a slightly S-shaped, uphill hole where the green is elevated, requiring precise distance control on the second shot to avoid the shallow out-of-bounds on the right. The Ninomaru course is home to notable short holes that test precision. The fourth hole is a par-3 measuring 177 yards from the black tees, featuring a water hazard that guards the green. The description notes that the water is a "beautiful trap" and that players must account for the wind and the slope of the large mound behind the green. The eighth hole on the Ninomaru course is a par-3 measuring 212 yards from the black tees. It is a light uphill shot where the distance can be deceptive, requiring players to aim for the fairway and avoid the right and left-rear corners of the green. The Sanmaru course includes a challenging par-3 second hole that measures 182 yards from the black tees. This is a downhill shot where the left green is protected by out-of-bounds on the left side, while the right green is slightly shorter than the yardage suggests. The course offers multiple tee boxes, including black, blue, white, gold, and red, allowing for varied difficulty levels. The facility also includes a large practice range with night lighting, a clubhouse, and on-site dining and accommodation options. Karasuyama Castle Country Club has hosted significant tournament history, including the 49th and 54th Japan Women's Open Golf Championships in 2021 and 2024. The course is rated with a Course Handicap Index ranging from 70.7 to 75.2 depending on the combination of nine holes played and the tee color selected. The club maintains a standard pace of play target of 2 hours and 15 minutes for nine holes and enforces strict etiquette regarding course maintenance and safety.