Tarumi Golf Club ☆ Follow

Tarumi Golf Club is a 18-hole, par-70 course located in Tarumi-ku, Kobe, set within a hilly landscape that demands precise shot-making. Designed by Joe Ernest Crane, the layout is characterized by its undulating terrain, featuring a mix of downhill tees, uphill approaches, and holes that require players to navigate slopes and strategic bunkering. The course is situated in an urban setting, offering views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, particularly from the 13th hole, which provides a dramatic downhill drive to a fairway that breaks before the green. The front nine totals 35 par with a yardage of 2,973 yards from the back tees, while the back nine also plays to 35 par, covering 2,688 yards. The course presents a variety of challenges, including the 6th hole, a par-5 that requires a tee shot over a fairway bunker to the right, and the 1st hole, a par-4 that plays downhill from the tee and uphill to the green. The 13th hole, a par-5, is a key strategic test where the fairway is interrupted by a knoll, requiring a well-placed second shot to set up an approach. The 18th hole, a par-4, closes the round with a demanding approach. The club has a rich history dating back to 1920 when it was established as the Matchi Country Club, later becoming Tarumi Golf Club in 1951. It was one of the early venues for significant amateur competitions in Japan, including matches against the Tokyo Golf Club. The course is known for its "hand-crafted" design that utilizes the natural topography, requiring players to choose their lines carefully to avoid out-of-bounds areas and bunkers that line the fairways. The club is a member of the Japan Golf Association and the Kansai Golf Union, and it maintains a practice facility with a 200-yard driving range and putting green.