An American-style members' club built on a return to golf's roots

Brick & Wood Club, in Ichihara in central Chiba, opened in 2000 to a design by Desmond Muirhead. Its founders set out to go back to golf's origins. The club is run by its members in a simple, functional American style, with no caddies. Players drive their own carts, repair their own ball marks and fill their own divots. The 18 holes play to par 72 and reach 7,002 yards from the back tees. The club says the course is tough but still suits everyone from beginners to low handicappers.

No caddies and no fuss, just golf the way its founders imagined it.

Brick & Wood is a private members' club, so visitors usually play as a member's guest, though some weekday times are offered through partner booking sites. Next to the course, the Muirhead Fields complex has THE HOTEL, a quiet place to stay among the greens within walking distance of the first tee, plus a restaurant and market. That makes it easy to turn a round into an overnight countryside break. Central Chiba's rolling hills are an easy drive from Tokyo.