熊本県
Located in the center of the Aso caldera in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kosugi Resort Aso Highland Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout that utilizes the natural topography of the region. The course is characterized by a relatively flat, wooded terrain that incorporates strategic elevation changes, offering views of the Aso Five Peaks and the outer rim of the caldera. The design emphasizes accuracy over distance, with many holes requiring precise tee shots to avoid penalties. The front nine begins with a straight par-4 first hole that demands driver accuracy due to right-side out-of-bounds, followed by a downhill par-4 second hole where the fairway is constrained by a penalty area on the left and out-of-bounds on the right. The third hole offers views of Mount Mifune, while the fourth presents a challenging 215-yard downhill par-3 that requires a long iron or wood, with severe penalties for shots missing the left or right sides of the green. The fifth hole is a 516-yard uphill par-5 toward the Aso mountain direction, and the sixth is another straight, uphill par-4 with left-side out-of-bounds. The seventh is a long, downhill par-4 featuring an empty pond to the right of the green, and the eighth is a unique 168-yard par-3 that is the only hole on the course with a water hazard, offering a special tee for players who find the water. The front nine concludes with a 525-yard par-5 where long hitters may attempt to reach the green in two, but a mistake can lead to high scores. The back nine continues the strategic test with a slightly dogleg-left par-4 tenth hole where the pin position is often obscured, requiring a precise tee shot. The eleventh is a 191-yard downhill par-3 with a pond guarding the front of the green, making distance control difficult, particularly into the wind. The twelfth is a downhill par-4 where the right side of the fairway is the preferred landing area, avoiding a depression on the left. The thirteenth hole features a significant 25-meter drop from tee to green, challenging players with long drives. The fourteenth is a 538-yard par-5 dogleg left, best played by aiming at a small hill in the center of the fairway to open up the second shot. The fifteenth is a straight, slightly uphill par-4 where an iron may suffice off the tee, but the second shot risks a penalty if it goes over the green. The sixteenth is a long, downhill dogleg-right par-4 with a water hazard on the right side, making the center of the fairway the optimal target. The seventeenth is a downhill par-3 featuring a heart-shaped bunker in front of the green that adds difficulty. The course finishes with a 535-yard par-5 eighteenth hole, which starts with an uphill tee shot and offers a downhill second shot for long hitters to attempt a two-on. The course supports through-play with cart access to the ball, and each cart is equipped with GPS navigation to assist with distance and course management. It also features a leaderboard system for competitions, allowing real-time tracking of scores. The total yardage from the back tees is 3,231 yards for the front nine and 3,403 yards for the back nine, totaling 6,634 yards.
