Jack Nicklaus Drama in the Toyota Hills

St. Creek Golf Club lies in the wooded hills of Toyota, Aichi, around 11 km from the Edagé interchange on the Sanage Green Road. Opened in October 1989, it is a Jack Nicklaus design of 27 holes split into East, West and South nines, totalling 10,492 yards at par 108. True to Nicklaus's style it is bold and strategic: narrow Korai fairways, 93 bunkers, water on 13 holes and large bent greens positioned to make the ideal approach angle hard to find. The striking clubhouse comes from the Raymond Architectural Office, and the club has hosted the JLPGA's Resorttrust Ladies three times.

Tight lines and tempting water, pure Nicklaus from first tee to last green.

Golfers can take a caddie or self-play in navigation-equipped carts, and the 12-bay, 250-yard range opens with the clubhouse. As a members' club, bookings come through members, including Resort Trust members, and weekend groups need a member along. Toyota City is home to the Toyota Kaikan museum and the Korankei gorge, famous for its blazing autumn maples, while Nagoya's food scene, from hitsumabushi eel to miso katsu, is about an hour away. Stay near Toyota-shi Station, roughly 30 minutes by taxi.