Kodama Golf Club Course ☆ Follow

Located in Saitama Prefecture, the Kodama Golf Club is a private 18-hole course designed by the renowned architect Osamu Ueda. Opened in May 1977, the course represents Ueda's final design work, created on a site large enough for 27 holes but intentionally routed to provide spacious fairways and short walking distances between tees and greens. The layout is characterized by a strategic design that balances accessibility for players of all levels with the depth required to satisfy advanced golfers. The course features rolling terrain with significant elevation changes and is defined by its lush vegetation, including stands of red pines and various cherry blossom trees. The grounds also contain numerous ancient kofun burial mounds, adding a historical dimension to the landscape. A notable renovation in 1995 by Takeshi Kawada refined the green complexes, bunker shapes, and slopes, sharpening the original design to better suit modern play. Signature holes include the 4th, a par-5 where a large water-filled bunker on the second shot landing area punishes errant drives, and the 17th, a par-3 where a creek divides the green, creating pressure when pins are placed on the sides adjacent to the water. The 8th par-5 is framed by two sacred red pines, while the 15th par-5 plays past a memorial mound. The course demands precise positioning off the tee, as fairway bunkers penalize excessive distance, and the greens feature undulating surfaces that challenge putting accuracy. Kodama Golf Club has a strong history as a host for collegiate and amateur competitions. It has hosted the Asahi Cup All-Japan Student Golf Championship, the All-Japan Women's Student Golf Championship, and the Shinobu Cup All-Japan University Golf Match Play Championship since 2005. The course also served as the venue for the final LPGA qualifying test in 2015. Professional golfer Hideki Matsuyama played the course during his student years, further cementing its reputation as a developmental ground for top talent.