Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club ☆ Follow

Located in Inagi, Tokyo, the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club is a 7,002-yard, par-72 championship course designed by renowned architect Seiichi Inoue. Opened in 1964, the layout is set within the Musashino plateau, utilizing the natural topography of the area to create a strategic and demanding test of golf. The course is divided into an outward nine and an inward nine, with the front nine playing to a par 36 and the back nine to a par 36, totaling 7,002 yards from the tournament tees. The design emphasizes strategic shot-making over pure distance, with many holes featuring elevated tees, undulating greens, and significant elevation changes. The front nine includes a demanding uphill par-4 third hole at 403 yards and a challenging uphill par-4 fifth hole at 384 yards. The back nine presents a series of long par-4s, including the 460-yard 13th and the 432-yard 12th, which require precise approach shots to well-protected greens. The course features two distinct tee surfaces, with the primary Bentgrass greens and a secondary Koirai grass option, offering different playing characteristics depending on the season and conditions. Notable holes include the 18th, a 224-yard par-3 that plays uphill to a heavily sloped green, and the 17th, a 535-yard par-5 that demands a precise tee shot to avoid trouble while setting up a long approach. The 14th hole, a short 364-yard par-4, plays significantly longer due to its severe uphill grade, testing the player's distance control. The course has a reputation for hosting high-level competition, having hosted the Golf Japan Series annually since 1995, as well as the World Ladies Championship and the Canada Cup. The difficulty is further underscored by a course rating of 73.6 and a slope rating of 136 from the tournament tees.