Northern Arc Golf Club ☆ Follow

Northern Arc Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course located in Hokkaido, Japan, set within a vast 112-hectare landscape that follows the natural contours of the northern terrain. Designed by Shoji Kawanabe, the course features a total length of 7,134 yards from the championship tees and carries a Course Rating of 74.3. The layout is divided into an out course that winds through dense forests and an in course centered around water hazards, creating a strategic balance intended to challenge golfers of all skill levels. The front nine begins with a long par-5 first hole that requires a drive through an expansive coniferous forest, setting a demanding tone for the round. The seventh hole presents a difficult par-4 dogleg right where players must carry a large pond to reach the fairway, offering a risk-reward opportunity for long hitters to shorten the hole. The course continues with strategic par-4s and par-5s that utilize the natural elevation and tree lines to dictate shot placement. The back nine is defined by water features and precision approach shots. The fifteenth hole is a par-4 flanked by ponds on both sides, where missing the fairway to the right results in penalties from water and bunkers. The seventeenth hole is a challenging par-3 that plays to an island green surrounded by water, with deep bunkers guarding the front and back, requiring a bold and accurate tee shot. The round concludes with a 540-yard par-5 eighteenth hole, testing endurance and strategy over the final stretch. With a regular gross distance of 6,249 yards and a lady’s course length of 5,603 yards, the course offers multiple tee options to accommodate different playing styles. The design emphasizes the natural beauty of Hokkaido’s forests and water, creating a visually striking environment that complements the strategic demands of the layout. The club maintains a practice facility and a clubhouse located approximately one kilometer from the first tee, accessible by a short drive or walk.