Minakami Golf ☆ Follow

Minakami Golf Course in Gunma Prefecture features two distinct 18-hole, par-72 layouts: the Sky Course and the Forest Course. Located in the Minakami region, the facility is known for its high-altitude setting, which provides cool summer temperatures and fast, bentgrass greens. The Sky Course is characterized by its dramatic downhill holes and strategic changes, while the Forest Course is laid out among the trees, demanding accuracy and offering deep strategic play. The Sky Course presents a challenging mix of tee shots, with the front nine featuring several downhill holes that require careful wind calculation. The back nine includes the course's longest hole, the 13th, which stretches to 634 yards from the blue tees. Notable holes include the 3rd and 12th, identified as driving distance challenges, and the 8th and 16th, which are noted for their pin positions. The course features multiple two-tiered greens and hazards such as creeks and bushes that penalize inaccurate shots. The Forest Course offers a contrasting experience, with holes winding through the forest and requiring precise shot-making. It also plays to a par of 72, with a total yardage of 6,620 yards from the blue tees. The layout includes blind shots and uphill approaches, such as the 2nd hole which carries over a pond. Key holes include the 6th and 13th for driving distance, and the 8th and 14th for approach shots. The greens on this course are often described as having significant undulation, with some being two-tiered or having a "horse's back" shape. Both courses utilize bentgrass throughout, a feature noted as rare in Japan, and allow cart access on all holes. The facility is known for its "fast greens," which can reach speeds of 12 feet on the Stimpmeter during the autumn season. Unique to the course are owl figures placed on white birch trees near the greens, which indicate the grain direction for putts. The course also offers a 10-minute interval start for the Sky Course to ensure a relaxed pace of play.