The Royal Golf Club ☆ Follow

The Royal Golf Club is a 72-par, 18-hole course located in Hokota, Ibaraki, Japan, set within a landscape of natural forests. The layout spans 8,143 yards from the back tees, featuring a design that emphasizes strategic complexity through deep bunkers, undulating fairways, and contoured greens. The course is structured to offer five different tee grounds for each hole, allowing players of varying skill levels to navigate the terrain according to their abilities. The front nine totals 36 par and 4,036 yards, while the back nine also carries 36 par and measures 4,107 yards. The course is characterized by its demanding nature, with a course rating of 78.4 and a slope rating of 138 from the longest tees. The design requires precise shot-making, as the fairways often lack flat surfaces and are lined with significant bunkering that penalizes errant drives. The 16th hole serves as the signature hole and the longest on the property, stretching 705 yards as a par 5. This hole demands a straight tee shot, with the optimal target being the left edge of the bunkers on the right side of the fairway. The green is described as difficult, featuring a horseback shape that complicates putting. Other notable holes include the 6th, a 432-yard par 4 that appears open from the tee but narrows significantly, requiring a precise approach to a green surrounded by bunkers. The 1st hole is a 422-yard par 4 that starts the round with a straight shot between bunkers, leading to a green that slopes gently from right to left. The course also features a 287-yard par 3 at the 4th and a 279-yard par 3 at the 7th, testing accuracy over water or hazards. The Royal Golf Club has hosted professional tournaments, including the Mizuno Open in 2018 and 2019, as well as events in 2017. The facility includes a 350-yard driving range with natural grass tees and a clubhouse designed to provide a high-standard club life experience.