Big-Sky Golf in the Hills of Nankan

Forest Nankan Golf Club sits in the green hills of Nankan-machi in northern Kumamoto Prefecture, close to the Nankan and Kikusui interchanges on the Kyushu Expressway. The club opened in November 1970 and spreads its 18-hole, par-72 course of 6,565 yards over roughly 149 hectares of rolling countryside. Moderate elevation changes and a strategic routing reward thoughtful play and invite a second round, while traditional Korai greens give it a distinctly Kyushu feel.

A long-established Kyushu club wrapped in nature, made for golfers who like to think their way around.

The clubhouse has a restaurant, café, bath and practice range, rental clubs are available, and tee times can be booked online, including for solo players. Its expressway location makes it an easy drive south from Fukuoka, and the surrounding area is worth lingering in: Kikuchi and Tamana are known for their hot springs, and Kumamoto city, with its famous castle, is a short drive further on. It fits naturally into a road trip through northern Kyushu, combining a quiet countryside round with onsen and local food.