Aso Ozu Golf Club

Opened in 1992 and cut through gently rolling parkland just outside Kumamoto city, Aso Ozu Golf Club plays to a firm 7,004 yards from the tips over bent grass greens that reward a precise approach game. Four tee boxes, from 5,890 to 7,022 yards, mean the semi-private course suits a wide spread of playing ability, and the practice ground includes a dedicated bunker and chipping green so visitors can dial in their wedges before heading out. GPS-equipped carts and caddie service are both available, which is typical of courses in this part of Kyushu, and the club asks golfers to observe proper attire on the grounds. Its location on the plain below the Aso volcanic complex means players get long views toward the mountains on several holes without the steep terrain that some of the resort courses higher up the caldera present, making it a comfortable walk-friendly option for a group with mixed fitness levels. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted at the clubhouse, and the course keeps a fairly brisk pace of play thanks to generous fairway widths off the tee. Golfers touring Kumamoto's cluster of courses around Ozu and Kikuchi often use Aso Ozu as an easy midweek round between the more demanding resort layouts. On CoGolfers, players based in Kumamoto list rounds here regularly, so it is a good course to check for an open game if you are visiting and want local company, or to post your own tee time and pick up playing partners from the community before you arrive.