Over the Strait on Calm Omura Bay

Ocean Palace Golf Club & Resort occupies a cape and its small islands in the Kinkai district of Nagasaki, looking out across the famously calm waters of Omura Bay. Opened in 1991, it is an 18-hole, par-72 seaside course measuring 6,480 yards from the back tees, routed along cliffs and inlets so the sea is in play far more often than you might expect. Its signature is the 11th, a slightly downhill hole that carries across a sea strait, while the short 14th and the par-4 17th both demand shots over inlets to greens set right beside the water.

A strait-crossing tee shot on a quiet bay, with your hotel room a staircase away.

This is a true stay-and-play resort: the hotel connects directly to the clubhouse's second floor, and the golf front desk doubles as hotel reception. There is a 13-bay driving range, an approach and bunker practice area by the 10th tee, and large baths to unwind in after the round. From Nagasaki Airport the course is an easy drive around Omura Bay, making it a natural base for exploring Nagasaki city's harbour, history and famous champon noodles. Watch the wind on the water-side holes, and keep it in the fairway: the sea and out-of-bounds lurk on several holes.