Phoenix Country Club stands as one of Japan's most prestigious golf destinations, home to the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament since 1974—an international championship that has welcomed Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Tom Watson, Ernie Els, and Brooks Koepka among its distinguished winners. Located on the Hitotsuba Pacific Coast in Miyazaki's Phoenix Seagaia Resort, this 27-hole masterpiece by designer Goukichi Ohashi presents golfers with a uniquely Japanese challenge: a relatively flat layout that belies its strategic complexity. What appears straightforward quickly becomes a precision puzzle as towering black pine forests line nearly every fairway, serving as both sublime scenery and punishing aerial hazards that demand positional accuracy off the tee and creative recovery shots. The course has been meticulously maintained and recently partnered with Troon Golf for bunker renovations following C.H. Allison's design philosophy, creating strategically placed sand traps that guard virtually every approach. The stunning clubhouse, renovated in 2002 with an exterior of Obi Japanese cedar, evokes tranquility before you step inside to find walls lined with photos of legends and memorabilia dating back five decades. Group play here feels like golfing at a shrine to the game itself—you're walking in the footsteps of champions, caddied by knowledgeable locals, and surrounded by the quiet drama of tournament golf that continues to this day.
The championship layout combining Sumiyoshi and Takachiho nines, featuring the signature par-3 2nd with forced water carry and strategic pine hazard
Alternative 18-hole combination with the par-3 6th playing windiest due to ocean proximity and requiring precision over water
Third possible 18-hole routing combining the Nichinan and Sumiyoshi courses
Sister course designed by Tom Watson himself, the only course in the world bearing his name, featuring cart play and narrower fairways
Phoenix Seagaia Resort is one of Japan's largest and most renowned multipurpose resorts. The primary accommodation is the 4-star Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort with 743 rooms, a world-class convention center, spa, natural hot springs (onsen), multiple fine-dining restaurants, bars, and family-friendly amenities. The Phoenix Seagaia Ocean Tower is also available as a luxurious 5-star option. The resort operates a free shuttle bus system connecting accommodations to both golf courses and all facilities, allowing seamless navigation of the expansive property.