Nicklaus and Muirhead in the foothills of Nasu

New St. Andrews Golf Club Japan lies in Otawara, northern Tochigi, about 16 km from Yaita IC on the Tohoku Expressway. Opened in May 1975, it was designed by Jack Nicklaus with Desmond Muirhead and offers 27 holes in two contrasting styles: the 18-hole NEW course in an American style, and the 9-hole OLD course in a Scottish style. Big elevation changes and fairly narrow fairways make it a strategic, demanding test, and players regularly praise the quality of its upkeep.

An early Nicklaus design in Japan, with a hotel right beside the first tee.

The on-site Hotel New St. Andrews makes it easy to turn a round into an overnight stay, with Western and Japanese-style rooms, a restaurant, and baths after play. The club sits on the edge of the Nasu highlands, a long-time resort area known for its hot spring towns, dairy farms and mountain scenery, and the autumn colours in the surrounding hills are a highlight. By train, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasushiobara Station, then a taxi of about 30 minutes. Riding carts with GPS, a 270-yard driving range and optional caddies round out the facilities.