Kumamoto Chuo Country Club

Kumamoto Chuo Country Club is an 18-hole course in Kikuchi, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, built entirely across a single hillside that opens up views in every direction and keeps the air moving freely across the layout. Camphor, cypress, and cedar trees are spread throughout the course, while pine and oak woodland separates each hole, giving rounds a well-defined, secluded feel. A notable feature of the layout is that the hole order on the front nine mirrors that of the back nine, adding a satisfying consistency to how the round unfolds. From almost every tee, the pin is visible — but do not let that ease your approach. Undulation runs through the fairways throughout, demanding careful shot selection and rewarding players who stay alert from the first drive to the last putt.