A Driving Obsession – Where to Play Golf in Hiroshima

Jul 22, 2019

A Driving Obsession – Where to Play Golf in Hiroshima

The history of golf in Japan stretches back more than a century. The country’s first golf club was established in Kobe by a group of British expats way back in 1903, and the Japan Golf Association was set up one hundred years ago in 1924. Japan’s “golf boom” came in the post-war years and thousands of private courses had been built across the country by the mid-1980s. Although participation in the sport has dropped off a bit since the 1990s, it remains one of the most popular Japanese sports. Important deals are struck and relationships are fostered out on the course, and you can find many golf clubs and country clubs across Japan. The prefecture of Hiroshima is home to more than 50 golf courses. If you’re looking to get 18 holes in whilst enjoying some scenic views, here are a few places to head along to.

Higashi Country Club

This club in the Shiwa ward is a great facility for those looking to introduce themselves to the joys of golf. Established in 1976, it boasts 36 holes spread across north and south courses. There are also three 9-hole options, including a family course. All ages and abilities are welcome, and the club encourages the participation of women. In addition to the golfing facilities, there is a clubhouse and nice restaurant on site. You don’t need to be a member to enjoy a round, with costs starting at 7,900 yen a game. You can also rent clubs and shoes if you don’t have your own equipment.

Web site: Higashi Country Club (in Japanese)

Setouchi Golf Resort

If you want to play golf against a beautiful backdrop, you can’t do much better than the Setouchi resort in East Hiroshima. Here, you will find 18 holes on a hillside overlooking the marvellous Seto Inland Sea. Unsurpringly, this course is considered one of Japan’s premier golf resources. The onsite clubhouse is modelled on a classic European style and there are luxury lodges here to attract holiday-makers. Anyone can enjoy a round here (course fees start at 7,980 yen) but expect some trickiness in the form of slopes and water hazards. Also worth checking out is the nearby town of Takehara, often referred to as “Little Kyoto”, with architecture preserved from the Edo period.

Web site: https://resol-setogolf.com/pages/english

Chiyoda Golf Club

One of the top-rated golf clubs in Hiroshima, Chiyoda offers a championship course where golfers can test their skills whilst taking in stunning views of Mount Yotei in the background. It’s a large facility with 18 holes stretching over 7,000 yards where you will encounter narrow fairways, well-placed bunkers and sloping greens. Caddies are available to hire alongside clubs and equipment, and there is a nice restaurant and shop onsite.

Address: 2851 Terabara, Kita Ward, Hiroshima 731-1504

Onomichi Golf Club

Sitting within the charming town of Mihara, this club is one that developed during Japan’s 1980s golfing boom. It’s another that offers marvellous views that take in the Seto Inland coast, Une mountain range and forests of ancient trees. There are 18 holes where golfers can compete on a mixture of flat and hilly terrains and then eat local or international cuisine at the club restaurant. Prices start at around 8,000 yen a round.

Web site: Onomichi Golf Club (in Japanese)

See a full list of golf clubs and courses in Hiroshima on Golf Pass.

Photo by Lotus Head from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons