Chikuma Kogen Country Club

Chikuma Kogen Country Club is a semi-private, 18-hole hillside course set at 900 metres elevation in Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Birch trees are scattered throughout the layout, giving the course a distinct highland atmosphere. The front nine opens with a gentle right-to-left dogleg on the first hole, followed by a dramatic downhill carry over a valley on the second. Fairways on the front nine run a little tighter, adding a sense of tension to each approach. The back nine opens things up with wider fairways and a varied mix of uphill, downhill, and water-carry holes. Where the front nine feels measured and precise, the back nine plays with more force and variety. At this altitude, club selection matters — going one club shorter than usual is a sensible strategy throughout the round.