Royal Country Club ☆ Follow

Royal Country Club is a 72-par golf course located in Tochigi, Japan, operating with a flexible layout that accommodates either 18 or 19 holes depending on the day of the week. The course is formed by the integration of two distinct nine-hole layouts, historically known as the Kinugawa and Haguro courses. Following significant damage from Typhoon No. 19 in October 2019, the club reconfigured its routing to create a new 18-hole standard, while offering a 19-hole route on weekdays. The front nine comprises holes 1 through 9, while the back nine consists of holes 10 through 18, with the 19th hole serving as an additional "Enjoy Hole" available primarily during weekday play. The course presents a variety of challenges with yardages ranging from short par-3s to demanding par-5s. The front nine features a mix of lengths, including a 520-yard par-5 second hole and a 508-yard par-5 sixth, alongside shorter testing holes like the 146-yard seventh and 325-yard eighth. The back nine continues this diversity, highlighted by the 523-yard par-5 twelfth hole and the 485-yard par-5 sixteenth. The par-3s, such as the 163-yard sixteenth and 144-yard seventeenth, provide strategic opportunities for birdie attempts. The course includes specific yardage markers for regular and ladies' tees, allowing players of different skill levels to navigate the terrain. A defining characteristic of Royal Country Club is its 19th hole, a 418-yard par-4 designated as an "Enjoy Hole." This additional hole is available for play on weekdays, allowing golfers who wish to extend their round or practice their game to continue after completing the standard 18 holes. This unique feature distinguishes the club from standard 18-hole courses, offering extended play options for members and guests. The routing reflects a adaptation to the landscape, with the new layout utilizing holes from the former Kinugawa and Haguro courses. For instance, the current tenth hole corresponds to the first hole of the old Kinugawa course, while the fifteenth through eighteenth holes are derived from the Haguro course. The thirteenth hole, originally a long par-5 from the Kinugawa layout, has been converted into a middle-hole configuration to adjust the difficulty and flow of the round. This reconfiguration ensures a balanced challenge across the 18 holes, with handicap indices assigned to each hole to facilitate fair play. The course design emphasizes strategic shot-making, with doglegs and varying tee box options adding complexity. The integration of the two former nine-hole layouts into a cohesive 18-hole route demonstrates the club's commitment to providing a high-quality golfing experience despite the challenges posed by natural disasters. The availability of 19 holes on weekdays further enhances the course's appeal for those seeking a more comprehensive round.