Charles - you've played in a lot of places and many different kinds of courses, and you seem to have quite broad tastes. I'm curious: what did you think of Hirono as it stands now? Did you like it? Did it measure up to some of your favourites?
Thanks
Peter
I had the good fortune of befriending a Japanese man while playing golf in Hong Kong. We had an enjoyable time and had lunch, with another round on a different day. I mentioned that I would be in Kyoto and Tokyo in March and April to see some gardens during the Sakura blossom. He offered to line up a game with a friend. I hadn't planned on golf, but told him I would be happy to meet him and his friend. I'd played golf at a couple of courses near Mount Fuji a few years before, after an email exchange with an English speaking golf professional. It was clear to me that Japan golf culture does not accommodate walk on singles well. I liked being able to get in a couple of games, but figured golf was not that workable in Japan for a solo golf traveler.
It turned out his friend was a member of Hirono Golf Club, near Kobe. The ride on the bullet train to Kobe takes about 20 minutes from Kyoto. They met me at the train station in Kobe.
Because most of the top ranked golf courses in the U.S. are private and very exclusive, I have little to compare Hirono to. The man who hosted me was a long time member, who knew well the history of the club. I am hard pressed to compare it to courses I have seen on TV, or seen pictures of, or walked on as a patron but not played. I don't think it is realistic to compare it to courses I hsven't played.
I waa there in late March of 2017. The grass was dormant, but it was a good playing surface. Photos tended to wash out. Mature pines had been periodically influenced over the years by typhoons and maintained via meticulous care in the Japanese tradition. Hole #15 had a tree with seroious typhoon damage which was stabilized with elaborate cables and other rehab procedures. In Japan, it is common to take extensive measures to keep very old trees healthy and stabilize or brace them. So my guess is that the club didn't take a cavalier attitude about the damaged tree in question on #15.
I found the course aesthetically beautiful, challenging, and fun. Despite the sheer number of trees, they did not overly intrude on play. Fairways were adequate in width. Pines grow in a way that they tend to drop lower branches over time. The canopies are not overly dense due to typhoon influences and pruning.
I posted pics of a few holes, mostly par threes to the link below:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9jtvqKZfWj24wxTr1I was able to play Tokyo Golf Club and Kasumigaseki East this spring, as a side adventure from additional garden exploring. I found my Japanese hosts knowledgeable about club and course histories. Those with more expertise in rating systems and training conferring expertise in golf course commentary would see things I would not see.
I'd like to play the courses when fairway grass is not dormant. They would present visually in a different way. I will be in Japan in November, hoping to see Japanese Maples in color change where I will visit. I might get in a round or two of golf as part of the trip.
Charles Lund