An American-style test with Ayako Okamoto's touch

Echizen Takefu Country Club opened in July 1989 in the green hills outside Echizen City, about 20 km from the Takefu interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway. Designed by Makoto Murakami under the supervision of Japanese golfing legend Ayako Okamoto, the 18-hole, par-72 course stretches to 6,820 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 74.3. It is a bold, American-style layout of wide fairways, large ponds and sweeping bunkers, offering several routes to each green but punishing careless play; the 14th even splits into two fairways, trading safety for a shorter approach.

Wide fairways and big ponds, with nothing careless left unpunished.

Much of the course can be seen from the clubhouse, and good practice facilities, including a driving range and bunker area, make it easy to warm up. Echizen is a heartland of Japanese craft, known for Echizen washi paper, knife-forging and lacquerware, and in winter for Echizen crab from the nearby Sea of Japan coast. Combine a round with the Zen temple of Eiheiji or the hot springs of Awara for a rewarding Hokuriku trip, reached by car from Takefu Station or the expressway.