Noto Country Club

Noto Country Club is a prestigious golf course located in Hodatsushimizu Town in Hakui District, Ishikawa Prefecture, overlooking Mount Hodatsu—the highest peak on the Noto Peninsula—to the east and the vast expanse of the Sea of Japan to the west. The area sits at the base of the peninsula and is surrounded by the natural beauty of satoyama and satoumi landscapes, including the nationally famous Chirihama Nagisa Driveway and Mount Hodatsu. Embraced by this rich natural environment, the club stands as one of the leading championship courses in the Hokuriku region.

The club opened on October 13, 1968, during a period when Japan’s golf boom was beginning to spread from major cities to regional areas. The first 18 holes—the Hodatsu and Nihonkai courses—were completed at opening, followed by the addition of the 9-hole Hamanasu Course (3,450 yards) in October 1971, establishing the current 27-hole layout. The name “Noto Country Club” reflects its ambition to represent the entire Noto Peninsula’s golf scene.

The original course design was created by Yukikichi Yasuda, and from the 2000s onward, tournament producer Susumu Tobari oversaw renovations to modernize the strategic elements of the course. His work enhanced the challenge for professionals while preserving the beauty and playability that appeal to amateur golfers.

Noto Country Club has long been intertwined with the history of professional golf in the Hokuriku region. In the 1970s, it hosted the Dunlop Tournament in 1975 and 1976, followed by the Mitsubishi Galant Tournament in 1977, 1984, and 1991. More recently, the club made history again by hosting the 2023 Japan Senior Open—the first time the event was held in the Hokuriku region. In 2025, the Richard Mille Charity Pair Match Tournament will be held to support recovery efforts following the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, further cementing the club’s role as a symbol of hope and renewal for the region.

The course features generous length befitting a championship venue, with each hole beautifully separated by groves of black pine and acacia. Except for the outer perimeter, OB stakes are rarely visible, creating the unique tension of a traditional Japanese forest course. At the same time, the fairways are wide and relatively flat, allowing golfers to enjoy the sound of ocean waves as they play—a rare combination of woodland and seaside characteristics. The Nihonkai Course, in particular, is strongly influenced by coastal winds, making its difficulty vary dramatically from day to day. The greens are known for being firm and fast, demanding precision and thoughtful shot-making.

Signature holes include the powerful, wind-sensitive par-4 5th hole on the Nihonkai Course, ideal for long hitters, and the scenic par-3 4th hole, which offers a sense of hitting toward the sea. The Hodatsu Course features pronounced undulations that reward accurate placement off the tee, while the Hamanasu Course blends the characteristics of both the Hodatsu and Nihonkai layouts.

Players consistently praise the course for its excellent maintenance, beautiful scenery, and strategic depth. In Ishikawa Prefecture, Noto Country Club ranks second only to the renowned Katayamazu Golf Club, and it receives high ratings across major golf platforms. The clubhouse offers a calm and refined atmosphere, with a restaurant, pro shop, locker rooms, and competition rooms. Popular menu items include katsu curry, seafood dishes, and other local specialties that reflect the flavors of the Hokuriku region.