Seta Golf Course
North Course
A 54-hole course (North, East and West courses) close to Lake Biwa in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. While each course is full of personality, if you are looking for an experience to remember, we recommend the North Course, designed by renowned architect Seiichi Inoue, which has played host to many tournaments. Work is advancing on the placement of ladies' tees, helping to ensure a wide range of golfers can enjoy the course.
TOTO Japan Classic (2024 USLPGA Official Tournament)
- Dates
- October 31st~November 3rd 2024
- Venue
- Seta Golf Course North Course
Tournament Hosting History
- Mizuno Classic (2001~2005, won 5 times in succession by Annika Sörenstam)
- TOTO Japan Classic (USLPGA Official Tournament) (2018~2019, 2021~2022, 2024)
Caddie-accompanied play on a tournament course designed by Seiichi Inoue
Located on hilly land with ample undulations, the course evokes a sense of history through the presence of pine, camphor and oak trees. The fairway is wide, allowing for invigorating driver shots, but architect Seiichi Inoue's design is not to be taken lightly. Golfers who wish to score well will be confronted by a pond that straddles four holes, as well as cleverly placed bushes and bunkers.
Take as an example the 5th hole (Par 4), with a hole handicap of 1. It's a gently upward sloping right dogleg, and for the tee shot the bushes on the left are cause for concern, as is the aforementioned pond for the second shot. To prevent the ball from remaining on the right-hand slope, a player wants to aim for the right-hand side, but the fairway slopes toward the left. This is a hole that forces you to think about the course your ball will take before you swing.
The photo above is of one of the best known holes, the 14th (Par 4), also known as "Witch Valley". As the name suggests, this left dogleg hole features a deep valley waiting to ensnare players. The valley is not a penalty area, meaning golfers will have to make their own escape should their shot go awry.
The course features both bentgrass and zoysia greens. However, thanks to advancements in maintenance technology most of the greens now utilize bentgrass. In all seasons, greens are maintained to have speeds of 9-10 feet, offering thrilling putting experiences any time.
If you want to experience near-tournament conditions, we recommend playing immediately before or after the tournament. In preparation for the event, the greens are made faster, and the roughs are kept longer. Why not dip your toes in the world of the pros, with large undulations and complex greens?
Playing a round at their own pace, people of all ages can enjoy playing here.
All groups playing on Seta Golf Course North Course are provided with a caddie. The North Course is limited to around 40 groups per day, with generous time gaps between each group. Work is progressing on the placement of ladies' tees, and golfers of all stripes can enjoy playing a round at their own pace.
Those in the know go straight to the driving range, then check in at reception
The 200-yard, 15-bay driving range is shared by the North, East and West courses. There is a shuttle bus that conveys players there from the clubhouse in around 2 minutes. Because the club regularly hosts competitions, frequent visitors often drive first to the driving range before checking in at reception.
Seta Golf Course North Course, where renowned architect Seiichi Inoue made excellent use of the natural terrain.
In these beautiful surroundings, use all 14 clubs and enjoy the true pleasure of golf,
