St. Lakes Golf Club ☆ Follow

The St. Lakes Golf Club is a 18-hole, par 72 course located in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Designed by American architect Pete Dike and opened on July 1, 1989, the course was conceived with a "Return to Britain" concept, aiming for a links-style layout that blends gentle terrain with complex undulations. The property features Champion Championship bentgrass greens and offers three sets of tees—blue, white, and red—providing varying yardages to accommodate different skill levels. The front nine totals 3,084 yards from the blue tees, with pars distributed across three par-3s, five par-4s, and one par-5. The back nine measures 3,175 yards from the same tees, featuring a similar mix of hole lengths. The course incorporates strategic water hazards, including lakes and streams, alongside numerous bunkers that define the routing. Several holes present double doglegs, while others demand precise distance control on elevated or sloped greens. Notable holes include the 3rd, a 135-yard par-3 where a lake runs along the left side and the green sits just 50 centimeters above the water's surface, creating a visually striking approach. The 8th par-3 features a three-tiered green with a 45-yard difference between the front and back pin positions, requiring careful club selection. The 17th par-3 plays to the largest green on the course at 1,240 square meters, though its back is divided by a ridge that splits the putting surface. The 18th hole, a 374-yard par-4 from the blue tees, closes the round with a dogleg-right layout that tests accuracy off the tee.