Yuda Kogen Country Club

Yuda Kogen Country Club is an 18-hole highland course in Nishiwaga, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, laid out across largely flat, straightforward terrain that rewards accurate ball-striking with good scoring opportunities. The front nine stays open early, but from the 7th hole onward water begins to factor in. The 8th, the course's signature hole, tightens considerably as ponds close in on both sides of the approach to the green. The back nine follows a similar pattern, with water entering play from the 12th hole — demanding careful tee shots and second shots to avoid the hazards. The 17th, a long par 5 that doubles as a driving contest hole, presents a strategic decision on the tee: a creek cuts across the fairway from left to right at the landing zone, and depending on tee position and wind direction, players must choose whether to lay up short or carry it.