Hirono Golf Club

Overview: Hirono Golf Club is widely regarded as the pinnacle of golf course architecture in Japan. Located near Kobe, the parkland course is routed across rolling terrain that was formerly a feudal estate. The layout is defined by its strategic use of natural ravines, lakes, and dense pine forests. The course features Alison bunkers, which are deep, high-lipped hazards that demand precise sand play.

History: Designed by the British architect C.H. Alison and opened in 1932, Hirono established the standard for championship golf in Asia. Alison spent only a few weeks in Japan, but his work at Hirono profoundly influenced Japanese designers for decades. In 2019, Martin Ebert completed a restoration that returned the bunkers and greens to Alison's original specifications.

Did You Know? The deep, steep-faced sand hazards that Alison designed at Hirono became so famous in Japan that they are still referred to locally as Alison Bunkers. They were designed to mimic the challenging hazards found on British seaside links.