Kashima Country Club ☆ Follow

Kashima Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course located in Namie, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. The layout is divided into an outward nine and an inward nine, with the front nine totaling 3,386 yards and the back nine measuring 3,477 yards. The course features a mix of par-4s, par-5s, and par-3s, with yardages varying significantly between the back tees and the long-distance recommended tees. The front nine presents a series of strategic challenges, beginning with a 405-yard par-4 where a water hazard lines the left side, requiring a precise tee shot aimed slightly right of center. The second hole is a 585-yard par-5 that demands a conservative drive to keep the fairway, setting up a demanding downhill third shot. The third hole is a 165-yard par-3 over water, where the sloping green encourages an approach from the front. The fourth hole, a 396-yard par-4, is heavily penalized by out-of-bounds on the right side, while the fifth hole is a 507-yard par-5 dogleg right with a raised green that complicates club selection. The sixth hole is a 425-yard par-4 where the landing area is critical, and the seventh is a 163-yard par-3 susceptible to wind effects. The front nine concludes with two par-4s, the 374-yard eighth and the 366-yard ninth, the latter of which requires a bold tee shot over a pond before an uphill approach. The back nine continues the test with a 580-yard par-5 straightaway, where players must navigate an out-of-bounds zone on the right during the second shot. The 426-yard par-4 at the 11th hole requires a tee shot aimed slightly right, with out-of-bounds guarding the back of the green. The 12th hole is a 530-yard par-5 dogleg right that prioritizes accuracy over distance on the tee and second shots. Short hole golf is tested at the 13th, a 155-yard par-3 over a valley that is also prone to wind, and the 17th, a 196-yard par-3 with a slight downhill tee shot. The remaining holes include the 370-yard 14th, which offers a risk-reward option to carry the woods on the right, and the 377-yard 15th, where a left-side tee shot is preferred. The closing holes include a 415-yard par-4 with a downhill tee shot and uphill second, and a 428-yard par-4 that doglegs slightly right, finishing with a green that favors approaches from the front. The club maintains a 250-yard driving range with 12 hitting bays, accessible via coin-operated balls, and includes an approach and bunker practice area. The facility features a clubhouse with a lobby, shop, locker rooms, and a restaurant, alongside a separate start house. Notable visitors to the course include Prince Hiroyasu of Mikasa, whose memorial tree is planted on the grounds. The course underwent a renovation in August 2024.