1-3 Ichigaya, Rokkosan,
Nada, nr Kobo City, Hyogo 657-0101
The Course:
18 holes. Tree-lined & open parkland. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb; hilly.
Surroundings:
Woodland.
Designer:
Club founder and Englishman Arthur Hesketh Groom, and original members Messrs J. Adamson and McMurtie, both of Scottish decent.
34.758148
135.238510
1 km E of Rokko / 10 km NE of Kobe city.
Kobe GC
Kobe Golf Club: located in the wooded hills just north of Kobe City, sits the oldest golf course in Japan. It started with nine holes in 1903, expanded to 18 in 1904, and underwent several modifications to arrive at its current layout in 1929.
A typical mountain course, Kobe is short in length (3,700 yards from the tips), with small flat greens. Sitting atop Mount Rokko, the rather hilly layout offers wonderful views of Kobe and Osaka, although mist and fog may at times obscure the vistas. The layout comprises par-3s and par-4s, there are no par-5s.
This rather short, basic and fun layout has relatively few bunkers, but you'll be tested with several deep valleys to be crossed along the way. Miss the greens and deep rough awaits, so adept approach shots will need to follow equally accurate driving.
Limited access: this private course is generally playable only by members and their invited guests.
Private club - usually guests can only play if accompanied by a member. Overseas visitors should contact the club to determine playing possibilities.
In consideration of the caddies, the number of clubs you can play with is limited to 10 or less.
In 1868, a 21-year-old British businessman and trader, Arthur Hesketh Groom, arrived in Kobe to seek his fame and fortune. He settled in the area and soon married Miyazaki Nao, the daughter of a samurai family.
Groom indulged many hobbies, including painting, acting, swimming, boating, cricket, and mountain climbing. He also had a passion for golf, and in the early-1900s, together with friends, set about establishing a golf course in the wooded hills on the slopes of Mount Rokko just behind Kobe City.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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