Hirono Golf Club is located near Kobe in Japan. It is consistently ranked as the best course in Asia and among the best courses in the world. I have been looking forward to this experience for many years and was really excited to get the opportunity to play this course. I played the course after recently being redesigned by Mackenzie & Ebert.
CLUBHOUSE
LOCKER ROOM
SHOP
HIRONO GOLF CLUB
The experience starts when you arrive at the wonderful clubhouse where your clubs are collected. You checkin at the front desk and get your locker room key & number.
The shop has some is well curated with some nice clothes, golf merchandise and I bought a few items for my golf collection.
VIEW FROM THE TERRACE AT HIRONO GOLF CLUB
PRACTICE FACILITY
There is a house next to the driving range where you collect balls before going to the practice facility. There are some good target practice to aim for and a short game area.
PUTTING GREEN
Before heading on to the 1st tee I practiced some putting. The greens were running really well and they felt much quick than the sign with 9.5 on the stimp.
HOLE 1
The first hole is a 446m par 5. There are some well placed bunkers from the tee which I reached. I also visited the green side bunker and I made an opening bogey.
HOLE 2
The second hole is a 375m par 4. I hit 2 good shots to reach the green and made my first par of the round.
The caddy and electric trolley for the bags. As always in Japan the service is very good. You can really enjoy the course and concentrate on your golf game.
HOLE 3
The third hole is a 367m par 4 with some great design visuals from the tee. I missed my drive right into the bunker and had to lay up short. My approach shot was good but I missed the par putt.
HOLE 4
The fourth hole is a 345m par 4 slight dogleg right to left.
HOLE 5 - favourite par 3 at Hirono Golf Club
Hole 5 is amazing. The design of the hole is visually very good and a challenging par 3 playing 127m with a tricky green. The pin was on the front part of the green and ideally you want to hit your tee shot on this level to avoid a difficult down hill putt. I hit a good 9 iron and reached the back top right side of the green. I managed to 2 putt for a nice par. A truly special par 3 and one I will remember.
HOLE 6
The sixth hole is par 4 measuring 362 meters. I missed the fairway from the tee and reached the bunker on my approach shot. This resulted in a bogey.
REFRESHMENTS
HOLE 7
Hole 7 is a 158m par 3. There is significant elevations on this hole which is difficult to see from the picture. You really want to avoid the bunkers as it will leave a very tough shot to the green. I hit a great 6 iron and made my only birdie of the round.
HOLE 8
A short par 4 with lots of bunkers and a 2 tier green.
HOLE 9
You finish the front 9 with a wonderful par 5 towards to the clubhouse. The green is elevated with bunkers on both sides. I did not play the hole that well and made a bogey.
LUNCH
It is traditional that you have lunch after 9 holes. There was several options on the menu and the food was fantastic. The service, surroundings and atmosphere is just special at these courses. It is something that you will truly remember and unlike anywhere else I have played in the world.
BACK NINE ON HIRONO GOLF CLUB
HOLE 10
The opening hole on the back nine is a short par 4 with some well placed bunkers. The green is elevated with bunkering. I hit my drive left and could not reach the green. I made a bogey.
HOLE 11
HOLE 12
The 12th hole is a long par 5 playing 521m.
HOLE 13
The 13th hole is a par 3 downhill with water and bunkers. A superb looking hole.
HOLE 14
The 14th hole is an uphill par 4 with one of the biggest fairways I have seen. This should not fool you into thinking it is an easy hole. The fairways slopes severely and any ball that does not reach the top will roll back down and leave a tough approach shot. I really enjoy this type of hole. It looks relatively easy on the scorecard but will challenge your game if you hit the wrong shots.
HOLE 15
The 15th hole is a great par 5 and your tee shot can get close to the run out of the fairway. I hit a perfect drive to the edge of the fairway and had a great opportunity to reach the green in 2 shots. I completely mishit my 2nd shot and it went out of bounds. Resulted in a very poor double bogey.
HOLE 16
The 16th is a nice par 4. I made bogey with my only 3 putt of the round.
HOLE 17
17th is a long par 3 with water. I hit a good 4 iron to the front edge of the green and made par.
HOLE 18
The finishing hole is a par 4. I missed my drive to the right and could not reach the green. However I hit a great 3rd shot from the bunker and saved my par.
HOLE 18
My approach shot to the 18th with the views of the clubhouse in the background.
MY EXPERIENCE
Hirono Golf Club is a really special place. The course, service, atmosphere and whole experience is just amazing. I shot 81 and did not play my best. I putted very well which helped on my score but there was too many poor shots.
The course was is great condition. The greens was running very true which is so important for the experience. The weather was nice and sun came out towards the end of the round. I have only played the course after the redesign and cannot compare. To me the layout, architecture and aesthetics of the course is stunning. There are so many really good and memorable holes which in my mind is one of the key differentiators of the top courses in the world. A golf experience that I will cherish forever.
MY SCORE
