Riverside Phoenix Golf Club ☆ Follow

Riverside Phoenix Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course located in Urawa, Saitama Prefecture, situated along the Arakawa River water system. Designed by Hiroshi Hatsumi and opened in November 1965, the facility spans approximately 500,000 square meters of forest-style terrain. The course is distinguished by its dual-green system, offering players a choice between Bentgrass and Korai grass surfaces, which significantly alters the playing characteristics and strategy for each round. The layout is set within a wooded environment that utilizes the natural topography to create strategic challenges. The fairways are generally wide, but the course features moderate elevation changes, including significant tee shots from elevated positions and approach shots playing uphill. These undulations, combined with strategically placed water hazards and bunkers, demand precise shot-making and elevate the technical difficulty of the round. The course rating is listed at 71.2 for the Korai back tees and 71.1 for the Bent back tees. The back nine presents a demanding finish, highlighted by the par-4 14th hole, which plays 432 yards from the back tees on the Bentgrass surface. The 15th hole offers a contrasting short par-3 test, measuring 230 yards from the back tees, while the 18th hole closes the round as a 513-yard par-5. The front nine includes a variety of distances, with the par-3 4th hole serving as the shortest hole at 140 yards from the back tees, and the par-5 2nd hole stretching to 530 yards. All play is conducted as a self-play format with the use of motorized carts. The course features a practice range with four hitting bays and a clubhouse that opened in May 2014, designed by Matsuda Hiden Sekkei and constructed by Kumagai Gumi. The facility accommodates both individual and group play, with a standard group size of four players, though two-some groups are permitted depending on conditions.