Daihakone Country Club
A stunning course that hosts the annual "CAT Ladies" event in August. Here, players can experience exhilarating play while gazing upon the great mountains of Hakone's volcanic crater. Located, as the name suggests, in Hakone, the hot spring capital of Kanagawa, its accessibility—30 minutes by car from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Line, or 14 km from the Gotenba IC on the Tomei Expressway—adds to its appeal.
CAT Ladies 2024
- Dates
- August 16th~18th 2024
- Venue
- Daihakone Country Club
Tournament History
- CAT Ladies (Since 1998)
Excellent landscape use, and transformed for tournament play in summer
Though located among the steep mountains of Hakone, Daihakone Country Club’s 18-hole course is situated on relatively flat ground. With a scale suitable for tournament play, the total length of the course from regular tees is 6,548 yards (and 7,204 yards from back tees (when main greens are used)). Even the shorter Par 3 holes have a length between 160 and 180 yards, and feel well worth your time.
The 18 holes, brimming with variation, are excellent even under regular conditions. Each year, the condition of the course is tuned up in preparation for the August tournament, so unlike most regular courses, everything, including the state of the greens, is in peak condition in summer.
A setting beloved by golfers, offering the quintessence of golf
2024 is the 70th anniversary of the opening of Hakone Country Club. With no heavy machinery in the days of its construction, the course was cleared with manpower alone.
It retains the features of the original terrain, including the various undulations, big and small, on the fairway, granting a sense of historical dignity throughout.
It is designed on the principle that Par is difficult but a Bogey is easy, and is enjoyed by golfers of a wide range of skill levels. The fairways are wide, allowing for invigorating tee shots, but the rough is, at 50-80mm year-round, on the longer side.
When the greens approach peak condition in July and August in preparation for the tournament, they reach an impressive speed of 10-12 feet. Even from spring through the rainy season, speeds are 9-10 feet. It is said that over the course's long history, the inclinations have lessened somewhat, but it has many plateau greens, offering ample thrill from scoring.
The famous 17th hole, the "Lotus flower", is well worth seeing.
To maintain a good score, strategy on the strongly sloping 8th, 9th and 16th holes is key.
The 17th hole (Par 3) leaves a lasting impression. Also known as the "Lotus flower", it features six white sand bunkers surrounding the green, like flower petals. The back area, where there are no bunkers, is out of bounds, so landing on the green requires a precise shot.
Scoring well hinges on the outgoing 8th and 9th holes, as well as the incoming 16th. On these holes in particular, the inclinations on the green are strong, and differences in pin position can make shots much harder. The high-speed greens offer plenty of opportunities for nail-biting putting.
Every inch of the course is beautifully maintained
From the teeing areas to the fairway, roughs, bunkers and greens, each boundary is clearly established through maintenance which preserves its overall beauty, and each day play is limited to around 40 groups. Enjoy a slow-paced round while gazing up at the mountains of Hakone's volcanic crater.
