Miyako Country Club ☆ Follow

Miyako Country Club is a 18-hole, par 72 course located in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, situated on the Sanriku coast of Japan’s Tohoku region. The layout is defined by significant elevation changes and dramatic coastal views, with the back nine offering expansive vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The course is divided into an outward nine and an inward nine, each presenting distinct strategic challenges ranging from elevated tee shots to blind approaches and narrow, tree-lined corridors. The front nine begins with a long, left dogleg par 5 that requires a precise uphill drive to avoid trouble, setting the tone for a course that demands accuracy over distance. The 11th hole, known locally as "Babasan" (Horse's Back), is widely considered the most difficult on the property. This narrow par 4 is sandwiched by dense forest on both sides, with cliffs and out-of-bounds lines running the length of the hole, leaving no margin for error on the drive. The 12th hole serves as the course's signature short hole, a demanding par 3 that carries over an inlet of the Pacific Ocean. At nearly 200 yards from the back tees, it requires precise distance control to account for ocean winds, with steep embankments waiting to punish any shot that falls short. The back nine continues the theme of strategic complexity. The 10th hole plays through a bowl-like depression, where the second shot is often obscured by trees on the left side. The 14th hole features a tee shot from an elevated platform, requiring a careful descent to a doglegging fairway. Throughout the course, greens are protected by deep bunkers and tight OB lines, particularly on the coastal holes where the terrain drops away sharply. The combination of uphill and downhill lies, blind shots, and narrow landing zones makes Miyako Country Club a rigorous test of shot-making and course management.