Tokyo Golf Club

Gil Hanse on Tokyo Golf Club Tokyo Golf Club committee member, Mr Ito, interviews Gil Hanse. What do you personally consider important in your design of new courses and renovation of existing courses? There are many important factors that we consider important in the design of our new courses, however, the most important factor is the potential for the site/property to yield an exceptional golf course. Within this factor the most important elements are topography, soils, natural vegetation, and views/vistas. Almost every great golf course is built on ground that has interesting and varied topography that is ideally suited for golf. If the topography is too similar throughout the site, the holes can become boring and predictable. We prefer topography that has both subtle and sharp slopes, gentle and steep rises, and would preferably have less than 100 feet of elevation change so that the course can be easily walked. If the roll of the ground is good, having sandy soil is even better. The advantages that occur with sandy soils manifest themselves in many ways, from drainage, to turfgrass selection, and they also provide us with the opportunity to create very natural looking sand hazards. The ability for firm and fast conditions due to well drained soils also allows us to build the ground game into our designs, which creates much more interesting and fun golf shots. While all golf courses by the same architect look somewhat the same, having good native vegetation on hand to tie the golf course into, creates a look and feel that is distinct to that particular landscape. We prefer to build courses that blend gently into their surrounds and the use of native vegetation helps us greatly in this effort. The final piece to the property puzzle is the view from the golf course. Obviously having a dramatic piece of property with ocean/water, mountain, or city views can be the ingredient that makes a great golf course a “world class” golf course. Golfers love to look at their surrounds while playing golf, and part of the beauty of the game is the sense of being out in nature. This sense is heightened when the surrounding landscape can be brought into the golf course and can help to add to the drama of the course by focusing the golfer on distant landscapes while they play the golf hole. This concept is not dissimilar from the Japanese garden concept of the “borrowed landscape”, wherein the immediate landscape is made much more dramatic and expansive by using long distance views as if they were part of the course itself. Our final criteria for the selection of golf course projects is, “Will we have fun doing the project?”. If the site can provide for exceptional golf, we need to make sure that the owner/client is someone with whom we would like to work, and that the process of getting to and living on site will be comfortable and interesting. We spend so much time on site that we need to make sure that these arrangements are satisfactory, otherwise it will lead to frustration, which does not lead to good design work. In the renovation of existing courses, the potential for improvement and the history of the design and the club are the most important factors for us. We need to believe that we can significantly improve the golf course, and that the membership will be supportive of these changes before we take on any renovation projects. We also believe very strongly that the golf course should have a strong tradition either in the course or in the architect who originally designed the course. Having these strong traditions or history allows us to research the design of the course and to implement or restore many of the interesting features from the original design. It also allows us to immerse ourselves in the style of that particular course or architect and learn from their example. This ultimately makes us better golf course architects when we work on our original projects. The strong potential for improvement and the great traditions of Tokyo Golf Club are what led us to pursue the commission at TGC, and we hope that our philosophies are evident in our work on the Asaka greens. How do you see the current trends in golf course designs and what is the background for such trends? Unfortunately all of the current trends in golf course design are being influenced by the poor economic climate around the world. The construction of new courses in the United States has basically shut down with the economic crisis. As an example, 2010 will be the third year in a row where more golf courses have been closed than have been opened in the United States. In 2000, 400 new golf courses opened in the United States compared to only 34 in 2009, no matter what industry you are in that is a dramatic downturn. As a result most American golf course architects are looking to Asia (primarily China and South Korea) for new golf course projects, the inclusion of golf in the Olympics will only help the global need for golf courses. With the exception of these Asian courses, the trend is now developing to build courses that are more efficient, cost effective, and natural as a way to keep down the investment costs and make the courses potentially profitable. Too many courses were developed on an unrealistic financial model and these courses have hurt the game of golf. Why are so many courses being renovated today? I believe it is primarily for two reasons; the first has to deal with technology and the second with investment in the course as an asset. Many of the older courses that we love were developed in an era when the golf ball and club technology was not as active as it is today. As a result, many fairway bunkers are in need of relocation, and the creation of back tees can help to keep a course challenging for every level of golfer. We are also seeing that the maintenance of golf courses is performed at such a high level, that in particular, putting greens are being modified to reflect the challenges inherent in the modern putting speeds. However, I believe that the reason why most golf clubs are renovating their courses is an economic reason. Clubs, even the top clubs, are finding themselves in a climate where they have to compete for members (due to the fact that the economy is not great, and participation in golf is declining or flat). This competition can sometimes be won through reputation alone, however, most clubs are finding that investment in their primary asset (the golf course) is the only way to secure the future of the club. If Club A is competing with Club B next door for members, and Club B has just renovated their facilities, chances are that prospective members are going to find that Club B is a more attractive choice. If Club A does nothing to make up this deficit, they will eventually find themselves fighting to survive, and they will have to invest significantly more to do it in the future. We are finding that even the top clubs in the United States are having to face this reality, as their waiting lists have evaporated and people are looking to be smart with their discretionary income when they join a club. The final economic reason for all these renovations is that existing members have cut back on travel due to the economy and they are playing more rounds of golf at their home club. As a result, they see investment in the club as a positive and are happy to enjoy the upgraded facilities with their free time. How have Colt/Alison courses fared in the US and how are they being viewed by the golfing world? As with the work of any great golf course architects, the work of Colt and Alison is held in the highest esteem in the United States. Up until 30 years ago there was very little appreciation for the genius of the golf course architects of the Golden Age (1910 – 1939). This has thankfully changed and the protection and restoration of their work is a key part of current golf course architecture. In the United States, Colt and Alison did not complete a great number of courses, however, in their native Britain their work is enjoying a great deal of appreciation and a renaissance of interest in their great golf courses. One of the greatest pleasures of our work at Tokyo Golf Club was to be able to study the influence that Colt and Alison had on Ohtani, and to restore some of the elements and soul of their design work to the Asaka green complexes. While they are not in a pure sense a restoration of their work, I believe wholeheartedly that the green complexes are of a kindred spirit with the great work that Alison completed in Japan. Gil Hanse was named Golf Magazine's 2009 Architect of the Year and he was a design partner at Renaissance Golf Design before setting up his own design company in 1992.

Japan remains one of Asia's premier golf destinations, where Golden Age architecture meets meticulous course conditioning across nearly 2,500 layouts. The top three positions hold steady for another cycle, with Charles Hugh Alison's masterpieces at Hirono and Kawana continuing their decade-long dominance. This focused Top 50 represents Japan's upper echelon, where architectural pedigree from designers like Alison, Seiichi Inoue, and Kinya Fujita meets modern championship standards. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku 2026 Rankings: Return to Top 50 After expanding to a Top 80 in 2020, the 2026 rankings refocus on Japan's elite tier with a carefully curated Top 50. This streamlined approach highlights courses that truly warrant international travel, from Alison's revered Golden Age designs to acclaimed modern layouts by Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jnr, and Coore & Crenshaw. Beyond the ranked fifty, dozens of additional layouts offer exceptional golf experiences. The concentration of quality throughout Japan's eight main regions means travellers can build comprehensive itineraries without venturing far from major transport hubs. 2026 Top 50 At A Glance The Unchanged Elite Three courses maintain their positions at the summit. Hirono Golf Club (#1), Kawana Hotel Fuji Course (#2), and Naruo Golf Club (#3) form Japan's untouchable triumvirate, all featuring distinctive Alison architectural DNA. The Dramatic Climbers Osaka Golf Club rises 22 positions to #11 Golden Valley Golf Club surges 15 spots to #12 Katayamazu Hakusan climbs 15 places to #21 Sapporo Wattsu advances 15 positions to #34 Ibusuki Kaimon gains 15 spots to #35 Fukuoka Wajiro jumps 11 places to #28 Caledonian rises 9 positions to #29 Notable Movements Within Top 20 Tokyo Golf Club advances 2 to #4 Ryugasaki climbs 5 to #7 Shimonoseki rises 6 to #9 Abiko slips from #2 to #6 Kasumigaseki East drops 2 to #10 Regional Distribution Kanto: 21 courses (42%) Kinki Kansai: 10 courses (20%) Chubu: 5 courses (10%) Kyushu: 5 courses (10%) Hokkaido: 5 courses (10%) Tohoku: 2 courses (4%) Chugoku: 1 course (2%) Best Golf Courses by Region Kanto Dominance From Golden Age designs at Tokyo Golf Club and Abiko to modern classics like Caledonian and The Royal Golf Club, the region offers an exceptional variety within easy reach of the capital. Kinki Kansai Heritage Osaka-Kobe corridor delivers architectural gravitas through Alison masterworks and their spiritual successors. All three podium finishers call this region home, alongside the rising star Osaka Golf Club. Hokkaido's Resort Appeal The northern island punches above its weight with five courses, led by Hokkaido Classic (#17) and Katsura (#18). Cooler summers and dramatic topography create distinctive playing conditions compared to the main island. Chubu and Kyushu Balance Chubu benefits from Kawana's prestige and Katayamazu's surge, while Kyushu anchors Japan's southern golf culture through Phoenix and multiple climbing entries. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku What the Rankings Tell Us Consistency at the Summit Hirono, Kawana, and Naruo have occupied the top three positions across multiple ranking cycles. This unprecedented stability reflects architectural timelessness rather than ranking inertia. Each course underwent sensitive restoration work that honoured original design intent while meeting modern playing standards. Gil Hanse's work at Tokyo Golf Club demonstrates how thoughtful updates can elevate standing without compromising architectural integrity. Alison's Enduring Legacy Charles Hugh Alison spent just three months in Japan in 1930, yet his influence permeates the rankings. Four of the top five courses bear his architectural fingerprints, either through direct design work or profound influence on protégés like Kinya Fujita and Seiichi Inoue. The distinctive "Alison bunker" - deep, boldly contoured, and strategically menacing - remains the defining feature of Japanese golf architecture. These hazards function as effectively today as when first shaped, proof of Alison's tactical genius and understanding of eternal golf principles. Kanto's Architectural Depth Tokyo's surrounding region claims 21 of 50 ranked courses, showcasing remarkable architectural diversity. Golden Age classics sit alongside acclaimed modern works from international architects. The concentration allows passionate golfers to experience multiple elite courses without extensive travel. A Decade of Evolution: 2015-2020 Top 30 Golf Courses of Japan 2015 Japan's first expanded Top 30 arrived in February 2015, doubling previous Top 15 coverage. The top five remained unchanged, cementing Hirono, Kawana, Naruo, Tokyo, and Abiko as undisputed leaders. The rankings emphasised Alison's lasting impact, noting that any deep, bold bunker throughout Japan remained known simply as "an Alison" nearly 85 years after his brief visit. Top 30 Golf Courses of Japan 2017 The 2017 update maintained the Top 30 structure with minimal disruption at the summit. Hirono through Naruo, held their positions for the fourth consecutive cycle, demonstrating extraordinary consistency across nearly a decade of evaluation. Notable developments included Ono climbing five spots to #5 and Osaka advancing eight positions to #8, both Osamu Ueda designs gaining recognition for strategic merit. Yokohama Country Club West burst onto the scene at #6 following an extensive Coore & Crenshaw renovation that eliminated the traditional two-green system for modern single greens with sub-air cooling. Top 50 Golf Courses of Japan 2018 March 2018 brought Japan's first Top 50 rankings, expanding coverage to showcase deeper architectural quality. Yokohama Country Club West continued its meteoric rise, climbing three positions to #3 following widespread acclaim for the Coore & Crenshaw transformation. Nikko Country Club advanced three spots to #11, showcasing Seiichi Inoue's understated approach through tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering. The layout features no water hazards yet maintains compelling challenge through terrain movement and hazard placement. Hokkaido Classic and Phoenix Country Club each jumped eight positions, highlighting expanding panel appreciation for courses beyond traditional Kanto-Kansai strongholds. Planning Your Japan Golf Trip Tokyo Hub Strategy Base yourself in Tokyo to access 15 ranked courses within 90 minutes. The capital's excellent train network makes day trips effortless, with courses like Tokyo Golf Club, Abiko, and Kasumigaseki East all reachable by morning tee times. Premium options include Yokohama Country Club West and Ryugasaki for modern course conditioning married to strategic design. Kansai Cultural Circuit Osaka and Kobe offer ten-ranked courses alongside exceptional cultural attractions. Hirono Golf Club represents the ultimate pilgrimage for architecture enthusiasts, while Naruo and Ono deliver similarly compelling Golden Age experiences. The region's historical significance and culinary excellence create perfect golf-cultural balance. Northern Exposure Hokkaido's five-ranked courses justify dedicated northern travel, particularly during summer when the main island's heat proves challenging. Hokkaido Classic leads the region at #17, with Katsura, Sapporo Wattsu, Otaru, and Eniwa offering varied architectural approaches across dramatic terrain. Summer temperatures 5-10 degrees cooler than Tokyo make Hokkaido golf refreshingly pleasant during July and August. The island's natural beauty and fresh seafood cuisine enhance the golfing experience. Southern Warmth Kyushu's five courses anchor Japan's southern golf culture, led by Phoenix at #26 and rising star Ibusuki Kaimon at #35. Winter golf proves viable when northern regions face seasonal closure, making Kyushu ideal for December through March travel. The region's volcanic hot springs and subtropical climate create a distinctive atmosphere compared to metropolitan Kanto-Kansai. Fukuoka serves as the natural hub, with courses like Fukuoka Wajiro (#28) and Koga (#15) within comfortable driving distance. Looking Ahead The Japanese golf scene continues evolving through sensitive restoration work and selective new development. Several courses outside the current Top 50 have undertaken renovations aimed at revealing original architectural intent, potentially reshaping future rankings. The complete Top 50 golf courses in Japan offers detailed information about each ranked layout, including course details, review options, and travel logistics for planning your Japanese golf adventure. Explore the entire updated Rankings for Japan Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chubu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kinki Kansai Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kanto Explore the entire updated Rankings for Chugoku Explore the entire updated Rankings for Hokkaido Explore the entire updated Rankings for Kyushu Explore the entire updated Rankings for Tohoku

For much of golf’s history, the idea of a hole measuring 700 yards or more would have seemed excessive. Today, such distances are no longer quite so extraordinary. The world’s longest holes are an eclectic group, spread across very different landscapes and created for very different reasons. Some belong to expansive resort courses, others to championship layouts, while a handful have become famous largely because of the sheer scale of the challenge they present. From a former world-record holder in North Carolina to an extraordinary par 7 measuring over 1km in South Korea, these are the 10 longest golf holes in the world. 10. Black Mountain Golf Club (North Carolina, USA) Hole 17 | 747 yards (683m) | Par 6 The 17th at Black Mountain is one of the survivors from an era when exceptionally long golf holes were still something of a novelty. At 747 yards, the par six was once recognised as the longest golf hole in the world - a distinction that helped put this small North Carolina club on the golfing map. The hole is part of Black Mountain's older nine-hole layout, which dates back to the 1960s, and its extraordinary length was a deliberate feature rather than an accident of modern championship-course design. From the back tees, the fairway climbs and falls through the foothills, with the green sitting far enough away that it disappears from view for much of the hole. For a course that otherwise has a relatively modest footprint, the 17th is an impressive piece of real estate. Its 747 yards are now exceeded by several holes built in the decades since, but the hole retains its place in golf's long-hole folklore. It is also a reminder of how quickly perceptions of distance have changed. What was once a world record is now the shortest hole in this particular top ten. 9. TPC Colorado (Colorado, USA) Hole 13 | 773 yards (707m) | Par 5 TPC Colorado opened in 2018 at Heron Lakes near Berthoud, with Arthur Schaupeter’s design set against open Colorado terrain and views towards the Front Range. The 7,991-yard course was built with tournament golf in mind and has since become a regular Korn Ferry Tour venue. The 13th, named “Longer Still”, is its defining hole. At 773 yards from the TOUR tees, it is the longest hole on a PGA TOUR course and the longest par five in PGA TOUR golf. Its principal feature is the enormous 108-yard Hell Bunker, which runs along the left side of the fairway and creates the key decision after the drive: challenge it to gain ground or lay back and accept a longer approach. At altitude, the hole does not play quite as severely as the yardage suggests, but its scale remains remarkable. More importantly, the length is integrated into the design rather than simply added as a spectacle, giving No. 13 a strategic identity that has made it one of the most recognisable holes in modern American golf. 8. The Reserve at Moonlight Basin (Montana, USA) Hole 17 | 777 yards (710m) | Par 5 Set at 7,500 feet above Big Sky in the Rocky Mountains, The Reserve at Moonlight Basin is one of Jack Nicklaus’ most dramatic mountain courses. Built across the former Moonlight Basin ski area, the 8,000-yard layout moves through forest and open mountain terrain, with more than 1,000 feet of elevation change across the property. The 17th is the signature expression of that setting. At 777 yards, it is already extraordinary on the card, but the hole plunges downhill towards the green, with the change in elevation and thin mountain air making the distance considerably less daunting than it first appears. A large fairway bunker sits around 370 yards from the back tee, beyond which the fairway reveals the full scale of the descent towards the green. It is a fittingly theatrical hole for a course where elevation is central to the experience. The 17th was also one of the holes that came to wider attention when Moonlight Basin hosted The Match in 2021 – when Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers defeated Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady – putting its spectacular setting and remarkable yardage on national television. 7. Penati Golf Resort - Legend course (Trnava Region, Slovakia) Hole 15 | 783 yards (716m) | Par 6 Opened in 2012, the Legend Course at Penati occupies a sandy, pine-covered site near Senica, with Nicklaus Design using the natural character of the property to create wide, undulating fairways and extensive waste areas. The course forms part of Slovakia’s largest golf resort and was the first Nicklaus Design course in the country. The 15th is the course’s defining feature. It has 11 teeing positions, allowing it to be played at very different lengths, but from the back tees, it stretches to 783 yards and becomes a par 6. The fairway is split by a large waste bunker, with further bunkering framing the second landing area before the hole finally turns towards the green. The hole gained international attention when the European Challenge Tour used the full 783-yard version during the Slovakia Challenge in 2015, 2016 and 2019. In regular play, however, it is generally shortened and played as a par 5 - a useful reminder that the extraordinary version seen on the professional circuit is only one interpretation of Central Europe’s longest hole. 6. Theodora Golf Club (Transylvania, Romania) Hole 18 | 804 yards (735m) | Par 6 Theodora Golf Club sits outside Alba Iulia on the banks of the Mureș, occupying a remarkably flat 56-hectare site. Opened in 2018, the resort was created around an 18-hole championship course, with a large lake excavated in front of the clubhouse providing material to shape the otherwise level ground. That lake is central to the character of the closing hole. The 18th stretches over 800 yards from the back tees, with the approach eventually leading to an island green shared with the 9th. The arrangement gives what might otherwise be a straightforwardly expansive hole a much more distinctive finish. Theodora itself describes the 18th as the longest par 6 in Europe, and it has become the defining feature of a relatively young Romanian resort that has steadily established itself on the European golf map. 5. The Links at Kahite Golf Club (Tennessee, USA) Hole 9 | 808 yards (739m) | Par 6 The Links at Kahite opened in 2002 as the third course in Tellico Village, occupying a natural setting between Tellico Lake and the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The links-style layout has six sets of tees, stretches to 7,170 yards and is notable for its 93 bunkers and tall fescue framing some of the fairways. The 9th is the course's defining hole: an 739-metre par 6 that runs in a notably direct line across the landscape. From the back tees it measures 808 yards, while the blue tees bring it down to 721, making the hole a very different proposition depending on where it is played from. The course's own guide describes it simply as a unique hole, with the fairway rewarding players who can keep successive shots in play. Its position at the turn also gives Kahite an unusual rhythm. After eight holes that establish the character of the course, the 9th opens out into one of the most distinctive holes in Tennessee golf before the back nine heads back towards the mountains. 4. Meadows Farms Golf Course (Virginia, USA) Hole 12 | 841 yards (769m) | Par 6 Meadows Farms is very much the product of its founder, Bill “Farmer” Meadows, who built the course on former farmland after taking up golf later in life. It opened in 1993 with an intentionally unconventional character: the 27-hole layout includes a baseball-themed hole, a waterfall green and an island green, alongside the hole that became its calling card. The 12th stretches to 841 yards from the championship tees, running downhill before turning right, crossing two lakes and climbing towards a large elevated green. A three-leaf-clover-shaped bunker guards the approach. The sequence gives the hole considerably more shape and interest than its raw length might suggest. For decades it was promoted as the longest golf hole in the United States, a distinction that helped make this eccentric Virginia course a destination in its own right. The current course still describes No. 12 as its signature hole and the longest in the country, as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. 3. The Links Golf Club (Idaho, USA) Hole 9 | 842 yards (770m) | Par 6 The Links Golf Club in Post Falls opened in 1999 on the broad, open Rathdrum Prairie, with owner and designer Emmett Burley shaping the course in the tradition of Scottish links golf. There are few trees or water hazards to interrupt the prairie landscape, leaving wind, wide fairways, deep bunkers and rough to define its character. The 9th has been the course's signature hole from the beginning. It was originally measured at 738 yards from the black tees, but subsequent changes have transformed it into an 842-yard par 6, now the longest hole on the course and one of the longest in America. That extra distance has only amplified the hole's original links character. With no trees or water to dictate the route, the scale of the prairie is laid bare, while the wind can have a considerable influence on successive shots. The green itself has two distinct levels, adding another layer to a hole that has evolved from an unusual feature into the defining landmark of The Links. 2. Satsuki Golf Club - Sano course (Kanto Region, Japan) Hole 7 | 964 yards (881m) | Par 7 Satsuki Golf Club’s Sano Course opened in 1979 in the hills of Tochigi Prefecture, with broad fairways laid through a landscape of trees and gentle elevation changes. The 18-hole course measures more than 7,200 yards from the back tees, but it is the seventh hole on the outward nine that has made the club internationally known. At 964 yards, the seventh was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest golf hole and remains the defining feature of the course. It is not simply a long, open stretch: the hole has trees crowding the tee shot, OB on both sides and a relatively narrow fairway, creating pressure from the outset. There are two greens, with the left measuring the full 964 yards and the right 924. The club’s own playing strategy reflects the scale of the hole: rather than simply attacking distance on every shot, the objective is to keep successive balls in play and leave the final approach within comfortable range. For many years, Satsuki’s seventh was the benchmark by which the world’s longest holes were measured. Gunsan Country Club has since surpassed it in sheer yardage, but the Japanese par-7 remains the more established name in the record books. 1. Gunsan Country Club - Jeongeup course (Jeonbuk State, South Korea) Hole 3 | 1,098 yards (1,004m) | Par 7 Gunsan Country Club is an extraordinary property in its own right. Built on a former salt field on Korea’s west coast, the sprawling complex now has 81 holes across more than 1,000 acres, with lakes accounting for roughly 380 acres of the site and 26 bridges linking the courses. The third on the Jeongeup Course is the hole that gives Gunsan its international reputation. At 1,004 metres from the black tees, it is a par 7 and the longest hole in this ranking. The hole is also the No. 1 handicap on its nine, with water running along the left and bunkers placed to complicate the long sequence of shots required to reach the green. Its scale is matched by an unusual sense of place. The hole emerged from the transformation of the old salt works into one of Asia’s largest golf complexes, and its local nickname, the “1004 Hole”, is a play on the 1,004-metre length. Gunsan has built much of its identity around these extreme holes, with a 661-metre par 6 elsewhere on the property, but the Jeongeup third remains the defining feature. At 1,098 yards, it is comfortably longer than Satsuki’s 964-yard seventh and takes the top spot here by distance. Guinness World Records, however, has historically recognised Satsuki’s hole, so the distinction between the longest hole by yardage and the Guinness record is worth keeping in mind.