Hokkaido is the northern island of Japan and a great place to visit for those who love nature, skiing and playing golf. You will find a wealth of golf courses available to play in Hokkaido but arguably one of the best golf clubs in this region of Japan is Hokkaido Golf Club.
If you are travelling from outside Japan, you may be able to catch a direct flight to Sapporo Chitose Airport, which is Hokkaido’s only significant international airport. You will find direct flights from China, South Korea and Thailand but for those coming from Europe and United States, you will need to fly to Tokyo and get a short connecting flight.
Travelling to Hokkaido to play golf is something every golfer should do at least once in their lifetime and Hokkaido Golf Club is a must on every Japan golf itinerary.
Hokkaido Golf Club is home to not one but two magnificent 18 hole golf courses. Each course has been designed to replicate a traditional Scottish and American golf course and they have been named Eagle Course and Lion Course.
The Eagle Course at Hokkaido Golf Club is a par-72 course which plays to 6,644 yards from the championship tees and 6,211 yards from the regular tees. This is the American style course and water is one of the main features throughout the 18 holes but is not over-whelming and can easily be avoided.
Water hazards come into play on the first two holes, with both the right and left sides of the opening fairway protected by water. The approach to the green is clear of water on the first hole but the green on the second hole, which is a par-3, is protected by water to the front and left side.
Negotiate these two holes and you are in an excellent position to make a good score on the Eagle Course.
The second course at Hokkaido Golf Club is called the Lion Course and this is reminiscent of a traditional Scottish links golf course. If you do not like playing around water, you will want to choose the Lion Course as there is not a single water hazard in sight.
However, the 18 holes feature significant undulations and mounding, with strategically placed bunkers throughout. Several of the greens are large but well protected by sand. Landing on the green in regulation does not mean you can relax as the putting is testing thanks to the breaks of the green.
In addition to two wonderful golf courses, Hokkaido Golf Club is home to a lovely, spacious club house with pro-shop, restaurant, locker room and swimming facilities. There is also a driving range for practice before you begin your round.
Hokkaido Golf Club offers two distinctly different rounds of golf and you should experience both when playing golf in Japan.