群馬県
Ikaho Country Club is a 7,077-yard, par-72 course located in Ikaho, Gunma Prefecture, designed by renowned architect and agricultural scientist Tadashige Shimoyama. Opened in August 1959 as Gunma’s first full-fledged members-only club, the course is set on the slopes of Mount Mizusan and Mount Hina, where the fairways are framed by mature cedar and cypress trees that were once part of the Imperial Forest. The layout offers views of Mount Akagi and the Mount Tanigawa range, with a course rating of 73.4 and a slope rating of 135. The course is distinguished by its use of two types of fifth-generation Bentgrass greens, a feature that is rare in Japan. The "Tsutsuji" greens, installed in 2018, utilize the Pure Distinction variety, known for its high density and smooth roll, while the "Sakura" greens, added in 2019, use the Triple Seven variety for a faster, more aggressive surface. In 2020, the third hole became the only hole on the course with two greens, allowing for strategic play on both surfaces. All rounds are played with caddies, and the course features multiple tee boxes including Blue, White, Sky Blue, and Red, offering yardages ranging from 3,963 yards to 7,077 yards. The front nine presents a mix of long par fives and technical par fours. The first hole is a 549-yard par 5 with a view of Mount Akagi, while the eighth hole is a 545-yard par 5 over a valley that is recommended for long hitters. The sixth hole is a 207-yard par 3 over a ravine, and the ninth hole is a 414-yard par 4 that requires a precise drive to avoid the left rough. The back nine begins with the 402-yard tenth hole and features the 513-yard fifteenth par 5, which plays to the right and offers a birdie opportunity for powerful players. The most challenging holes are often found on the back nine. The seventeenth hole is a 173-yard par 3 that plays over a pond from an elevated tee, with a significant drop-off that makes recovery difficult if the ball misses the green. The eighteenth hole is a 610-yard par 5 that finishes with a dogleg left, featuring two fairway bunkers and a water hazard on the left side. The course also includes a 10-strike driving range, two practice greens, and a restaurant that offers healthy, low-carbohydrate menu options.