An easygoing nine above the hills of northern Sasebo

Tsukumo Golf Course is a compact 9-hole, par-36 course on a hilltop in the north of Sasebo, Nagasaki, about 25 minutes by car from the city centre. Opened in 1974 with a layout by Obayashi Corporation, it measures 3,220 yards. Although it sits on hilly ground, the course itself is almost flat, with fairly wide fairways and a bank along the right side that kicks wayward slices back into play, which makes it a friendly round for beginners and casual golfers. The greens are Korai grass, and many players go round twice for a full 18.

A relaxed local course in the green hills, with northern Sasebo spread out below.

This is the kind of unpretentious neighbourhood course that makes an easy half-day while exploring western Kyushu: walk with a hand-pull cart or take a riding cart, warm up on the 180-yard range, and soak afterwards in the clubhouse bath. Sasebo is a rewarding base, with the Kujukushima islands scattered offshore, the Dutch-themed Huis Ten Bosch resort nearby, and historic Hirado within reach to the north, and the local Sasebo burger is a must. Nearby Setoharu has an open-air bath for an extra soak. A car is the easiest way here; it is about 10 km from the Sasebo-Minato exit of the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.