Valley Shots and Pine Groves at M's Golf Club

M's Golf Club lies in the Kurisawa district of Iwamizawa, about 55 minutes by car from both Sapporo and New Chitose Airport and within 10 km of the Doo Expressway's Iwamizawa interchange. Opened in June 1992 with a layout by Hokkaido Kaihatsu Consultant, the 18-hole, par-72 course plays 6,929 yards with a course rating of 73.2. The OUT nine climbs and falls over moderate slopes, while the IN nine is flatter with wide fairways, and pine groves and mounds give each hole its own personality, with the wind often a deciding factor.

A short hole across a valley, the signature moment of the round.

The 8th on the OUT nine, a short par three played downhill over a valley with around 11 metres of drop, is the hole people remember. Bentgrass greens, GPS-equipped riding carts and a practice area with range, approach and bunker zones round out the experience. As a Hokkaido course it runs from spring to late autumn, making it a good fit for a summer trip when the island is cool and green; base yourself in Sapporo, enjoy the city's food scene and beer halls, and drive out for a morning round.