Kiyosumi Golf Club ☆ Follow

Kiyosumi Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course located in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama, situated just ten minutes from the Higashimatsuyama Interchange. The layout is designed with a philosophy of preserving the natural environment, resulting in a course that emphasizes strategic play and a calm, settled atmosphere. The terrain features a mix of elevated tees, downhill shots, and uphill approaches, requiring golfers to navigate significant elevation changes and varied ground conditions throughout the round. The front nine begins with a demanding downhill par-4 first hole that demands accuracy off the tee to avoid out-of-bounds. The opening stretch includes a long left dogleg par-5 second hole and a unique par-3 third hole designed around a Jomon-era archaeological site discovered during construction. The middle of the front nine presents a challenging par-4 fifth hole with a large depression at the second-shot location and a three-tiered tee green. The nine concludes with a long par-5 ninth hole where out-of-bounds zones line the right side, requiring precise driving and approach shots. The back nine introduces several signature challenges, starting with the eleventh hole, a par-4 known for a creek that crosses the fairway twice, forcing players to make precise distance judgments. The fourteenth hole is a dramatic downhill par-5 where long hitters can reach the green in two shots, provided they avoid a water hazard on the left. The fifteenth hole features a large pond and a steeply sloped green, while the sixteenth hole is the only valley-crossing par-4 on the course. The round finishes with a demanding par-4 eighteenth hole, where a surrounding pond and beach bunkers test the finishing shot. The course is equipped with multiple tee boxes to accommodate different skill levels, ranging from the Gold tees at 5,200 yards to the Championship tees at 7,084 yards. The difficulty is reflected in the JGA/USGA course ratings, which vary based on the tees played. Local rules specify that out-of-bounds is marked by white stakes, penalty areas by water edges or red stakes, and repair areas by blue stakes or white lines. A special rule allows for a four-stroke penalty drop on specific holes if the first shot goes out of bounds, and a one-stroke penalty drop is permitted for balls entering the water hazard behind the eighteenth green.