Big greens and forest corridors near the hot springs of Kaga

Komatsu Golf Club lies in the hills of Komatsu in southern Ishikawa Prefecture, about 15 km, or roughly 20 minutes by car, from the Katayamazu interchange on the Hokuriku Expressway. Opened in July 1995 and built by Sato Kogyo, it was conceived as a public championship-caliber course: 18 holes, par 72 and 6,754 yards from the back tees, with natural forest separating each hole and wide fairways guarded by strategically placed bunkers.

Generous fairways invite you to swing freely, but the huge, quick greens decide the score.

Although the site has around 70 meters of elevation change overall, most holes play fairly flat, and GPS-equipped riding carts keep the self-play round moving. The bentgrass greens average about 1,000 square meters, so judging approach distances matters and long putts are part of the experience. The real bonus is the location: the Kaga Onsen villages of Katayamazu, Yamashiro and Yamanaka are a short drive away, offering traditional ryokan, public baths and Kutani porcelain studios. In winter, Hokuriku's famous snow crab makes a post-round dinner something special, though note the course closes for part of the snowy season.