A hilltop parkland course on the road to Hirado

Cherry Golf Sasebo-Hirado Course opened in August 1990 near the summit of a hill above Emukae in northern Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. Dunlop Sports Enterprise designed the 18-hole, par-72 course, which runs to 6,879 yards from the back tees. Ponds, creeks and grass bunkers are placed to make you think. The fairways curve gently and roll, so good iron play matters, and there are no blind holes. The large, undulating bent greens make distance control on the approach difficult, which is where most scores are won or lost.

No blind shots, just honest strategy, and a closing pair of holes worth the trip.

The 17th and 18th are the most scenic holes, and the views change through the seasons. GPS-equipped riding carts, rental clubs and a small practice range with bunker and approach areas make it easy to arrive without your own gear. The course fits well into a trip around northwest Kyushu: the island of Hirado, with its old Dutch trading-post history, and the city of Sasebo are both within driving distance. Sasa IC on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway is about 20 minutes away, and from Matsuura Railway's nearest station a taxi takes about 7 minutes.