Nemu Golf Club Ise Shima, Mie Prefecture

The out course is a parkland with no ocean views and the standard Japanese pine hemmed fairways- but stunningly laid out and impeccably maintained. The 1st is a longish par 5 with water on the right, it then sweeps right with an elevated green, well protected by two large bunkers to the left and back of the green. This hole is one of the more difficult and scoring here is tricky.

To make up for this, the following #2,  par 4, is a shorter and relatively straight hole, a decent drive on this hole leaves a short iron to a receptive green, and the worst in our group made par here. The greens at Nemu are a little slower than what we were used to in Japan, with the stimp running at just 8.5 when we played, but we got used to it as the round went on.

The 3rd and 4th were enjoyable with little to worry about, and then came the par-five 5th which is handicapped number 1, and a bit of a brute. And I can see why, as this long hole has a strategic bunker to worry about down the right off the tee, and a tapered fairway hemmed with two lush bushy trees on either side, which caused our group quite a lot of problems, some punched and shaped-shots required. After negotiating that, the green was smaller than the others with a tucked pin, surrounded by 3 bunkers. Scores from that hole will be omitted to save the blushes of this golfer and plying partners!

The 6th is also a memorable par 3, with water on the right and left and with a massive bunker hugging the greens left side, a large gathering area on the right made that the safe shot, but inevitably the pin was on the left, we all took our chances with the pin but came out none the worse for it. 

The 7th, 8th and 9th were fairly straight forward and we tore through these. The 9th is an unusual finishing hole, in that it's wedged between the range and #6, and you need to go around numbers 1 and 2 to get to 10, this is via the clubhouse though - and in Japan, the traditional stop over for lunch. 

The 10th, 11th and 12th are a continuation of the parkland, but with the sweet smell of the sea on the air, we knew the seaside holes were to come. And it did, as you come off the green on 14th you immediately notice the wind is up and as you step on the tee for 14 you get your first glimpse of the ocean with a small inlet on the right, 15th moves away from the water with the 16th and definitely the feature hole, stretching out on a jutting headland as a gorgeous par 5 with quite a headwind. Views of the archipelago and the surrounding landscape are stunning- and to be savored. 17th turns back towards the clubhouse, scoring here feels a little easier with the helping wind. 18th is a beautiful finishing hole with picturesque green and white sanded bunkers overlooked by the elegant clubhouse.

Practice facilities consist of an 18 bay range and a 300-yard beautifully maintained fairway with multiple greens, this was formerly number 10, but after reconstruction, it is now one of the best driving ranges in Japan. Some of the bays are covered for rainy days. The former 10th green is a wonderful chip-on practice area, including two large practice bunkers located just to the rear of the driving range bays.