Sobu Country Club
Sobu Country Club is one of the great championship tests of the Tokyo area, a 27 hole parkland laid out by Seizo Tomizawa on flat ground in Inzai, Chiba. Defended by tall trees, water and doglegs, the Sobu Course has hosted the Japan Open, the Japan Professional and the HEIWA PGM Championship, and plays to a par 72 of about 6,900 yards.
Photo: Sobu Country Club via Google.
The verdict
Sobu has long been a proving ground for the best players in Japan. Seizo Tomizawa routed the Sobu Course through dense stands of trees on flat Chiba terrain, and what looks gentle from the clubhouse becomes a precise, demanding examination once you are between the tree lines. The fairways are framed tightly, the doglegs ask you to commit to a shape, and ponds tighten the landing zones on the key holes.
It is the tournament pedigree that sets Sobu apart. A course that has staged the Japan Open and the HEIWA PGM Championship rewards accurate driving and disciplined iron play, and visitors who enjoy a stern, classical parkland test will find it deeply satisfying. As a private club it takes planning to access, but for golfers who want to play where the Japanese tours play, it is one of the most worthwhile rounds near Tokyo.
Sobu Country Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1960s
- Designer
- Seizo Tomizawa
- Type
- Parkland championship
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,900 yds
- Green fee
- Members
Designer, layout and tournament history verified June 2026 from Sobu Country Club records and leading course databases. The club spreads across multiple loops in Inzai, Chiba; the championship Sobu Course is a 27 hole parkland to a par 72 of about 6,900 yards that has hosted the Japan Open, the Japan Professional and the HEIWA PGM Championship. It is a private members club with no published public green fee, so always confirm access and any guest arrangement directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
The Sobu Course is built for tournament golf. The flat ground and the tall, mature trees create defined corridors that punish a loose tee shot, and the routing leans on doglegs and water to make players think their way around rather than simply overpower the card. Position off the tee is everything, because the angle into greens guarded by bunkers and ponds is where scores are made or lost.
With 27 holes, the club can present several championship combinations, which is part of why the professional tours have returned so often. The conditioning is to a high standard, the greens hold their pace under pressure, and the closing holes have the teeth to swing a leaderboard, exactly as a tournament venue should.
For the visitor, the appeal is the chance to test your game on a course the best Japanese players know well. It is not a coastal spectacle, it is a classical, strategic parkland that rewards control, patience and a clear plan, the kind of golf that lingers long after the round.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; overseas visitors play by introduction, generally on weekdays |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest rate is arranged through a member or specialist (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange well in advance through a member, your hotel concierge or a Japan golf specialist |
| On the day | Caddies are traditional; a lunch break between nines is common at Japanese clubs |
| Getting there | Inzai in Chiba Prefecture, around an hour from central Tokyo and close to Narita Airport |
| Best months | April to June and October to November for the most comfortable playing weather |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates and policies change, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Sobu sits in Inzai, convenient to both central Tokyo and Narita Airport, so visiting golfers can base themselves in the city or near the airport depending on the wider itinerary. Tokyo offers world class hotels and dining and makes the natural hub for a tour of the championship courses around the capital.
For a golf focused trip we can pair Sobu with the other leading courses of the Tokyo area, arrange the introductions and handle transfers and lodging so the schedule runs smoothly. Its proximity to Narita also makes it a strong first or last round on a Japan tour.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Sobu Country Club.
Build a Tokyo golf trip
Sobu is private, so access takes planning. We arrange the introductions where we can, pair it with the best championship courses around Tokyo and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Sobu Country Club questions
Who designed Sobu Country Club?
The championship Sobu Course was laid out by the Japanese architect Seizo Tomizawa, a 27 hole parkland on flat ground in Inzai, Chiba Prefecture.
What tournaments has Sobu Country Club hosted?
Sobu has staged major Japanese events including the Japan Open, the Japan Professional and the HEIWA PGM Championship, which is why it is regarded as one of the leading championship tests near Tokyo.
What is the par and length of Sobu Country Club?
The Sobu Course plays to a par 72 of about 6,900 yards, with the 27 hole layout allowing several championship combinations.
Can visitors play Sobu Country Club?
Sobu is a private members club. Overseas visitors generally play by introduction on weekdays, so arrange access well in advance through a member, a hotel concierge or a Japan golf specialist.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.