Tamano Golf Club ☆ Follow

Located in Tamano, Okayama, Tamano Golf Club is a 54-par, 18-hole course designed by renowned architect Giichi Sato. Opened in 1961, the layout is set on a strategic hilly terrain where valleys and mountain slopes create a landscape of distinct elevation changes. The course offers views of the blue sky, the sea, and the island of Shodoshima, with teeing areas that provide dramatic downhill shots influenced by both sea and mountain winds. The front nine presents a mix of long par-5s and technical par-4s. The opening hole is a light left dogleg that prioritizes accuracy over distance, while the par-5 fifth hole features a two-tiered green that demands careful pin placement. The sixth hole is an oxbow-shaped par-4 where the ball is difficult to stop, and the seventh requires a significant uphill approach to a green with steep slopes that make putts from the back difficult. The back nine continues the strategic challenge with a strong downhill par-3 ninth hole that is heavily affected by wind, requiring bold club selection. The twelfth hole is a right dogleg where long hitters can gain distance by favoring the right side, while the thirteenth is an uphill par-5 that plays longer than its yardage suggests due to the elevation gain. The closing holes test precision, particularly the eighteenth, a long downhill par-4 where players must navigate a water hazard on the right side of the green. The course is equipped with electromagnetic induction carts to ensure safety and maintains an eight-minute interval between groups to allow for uninterrupted play. The design by Giichi Sato emphasizes strategic shot placement, with numerous bunkers guarding the greens and fairways that demand careful navigation of the hilly terrain.