UMK Country Club

UMK Country Club is recognized for its tournament-grade conditions and strategic layout. Reviews praise its well-maintained fairways and greens, plus courteous staff and good dining facilities.

UMK Country Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course that opened on July 1, 1991. Nestled about 70 meters above sea level, the course sits on gently rolling hills amid abundant natural scenery. It is owned by the local TV station, TV Miyazaki (UMK), and is managed by its subsidiary TV Miyazaki Golf Co., Ltd.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Hisamitsu Onishi, assisted by joint technical consultants, the course features a spacious and open OUT nine with wide fairways. The IN nine offers strategic challenges with elevation changes, water hazards, and well-placed bunkers.

The 5th. hole, aim your tee shot toward the left side of the fairway. Since there’s a side bunker on the right, the entire hole slopes slightly in that direction, and a large pond lies about 40–50 yards short of the green on the right, it’s best to target the left side off the tee. For your second shot, aiming for the center of the green is recommended. The 9th hole, a right dogleg par-4 with an approximately 80‑yard ravine. The hole gently ascends, and if you attempt a shortcut, be mindful of the bunker and woods on the right. Just before the green lies a fairway bunker flanked by a large grass bunker and a guard bunker. The fairway here forms an S-curve, so you must carry your shot onto the green. The green itself is a deep, two-tiered surface, so it’s best to note the pin position before attacking

The 14th hole on the IN course is widely regarded as the most demanding and strategic hole. It has earned a reputation for testing golfers’ skills and composure. 

The 16th. Par 3, this hole is eligible for the AXA Ladies tournament hole-in-one prize. To the left of the green lies a bakery-style bunker—about 60 yards long—framing this short, downhill hole, which plays closer than it looks. Because the right side of the green is out of bounds, the tee shot must be accurately struck—big draws or fades are not an option. The green itself features undulations at the front and back, so targeting center and adjusting approach based on the pin position is recommended. Notably, in the past seven editions of the AXA Ladies, no hole-in-one has been recorded here.
The 18th. hole, a course ideal for aggressively pursuing birdies. It features a flat, straight layout with gently curving contours, where the contrast of water and greenery is beautifully displayed. During the 2nd AXA Ladies tournament, pro Arisa Watanabe made consecutive chip-ins on this hole, and in the 3rd tournament it gained excitement when Ritsuko Kasa and Bo-Mee Lee competed in a playoff here. With virtually no elevation change from the teeing area to the green, this hole presents a straightforward, inviting opportunity.

At 7,039 yards from the championship tees, UMK offers a challenging layout with a course rating of 73.4, appealing to advanced players. The Front nine is relatively forgiving with generous fairways, while the Back nine demands precision around hazards and tricky terrain. The 12th to 14th holes, in particular, are often decisive in a round.

Practice Facilities & Amenities

Adjacent to the clubhouse, the practice area includes:

-- Driving range (~240 yards, approx. 16 bays)

-- Approach area with bunker practice

-- Putting green 

-- Bathhouse with sauna

-- Locker rooms and a pro shop

-- Golf carts with navigation systems; caddies available or optional self-play

-- Restaurant (serving local cuisine)

    * The clubhouse restaurant is known for its stone-grilled local Miyazaki chicken, served sizzling hot with yuzu pepper. Other popular dishes include saba (mackerel) sushi and chicken nanban—highly recommended by visitors.

UMK Country Club strikes a fine balance between challenge and enjoyment, with a scenic, strategic layout suitable for both beginners and skilled players. Top-tier practice facilities and well-appointed clubhouse amenities make it a premier choice in Miyazaki. The combination of precise design—especially on the IN nine—plus excellent food and service, creates a very satisfying golf experience.