Meishi Ryuou Country Club
Course Data
LocationShiga, Japan
Yardage6785 yards　Par 72
Course Rating71.5
Playing Date23 Jun. 2004
DesingnerHiroshi Watanabe
Opened1974
CaddyYes
Golf CartYes
Rating
Overall Rating
2.95
Course Layout
2
Difficulty Level
3
Greens Conditions
4
Fairways Conditions
4
Landscaping & Views
3
 
The course is laid out on a hill, surrounded by old pine trees. The name “Ryuou” means “Dragon King” in Japanese. Because the course’s concept is “dragon”, there is a fountain with miniatures of ascending & descending dragons and of the arches of Japanese shrines, they argue, related to “dragons”, so you can enjoy watching them besides playing. The 18th hole makes good use of the old natural lake and it is a lot of fun to play.

A view from the clubhouse

A fountain with dragons
A unique road in a lake
 
2nd　Par 4　363 yards
A par 4 with a pond on the left and OB on the right. Despite these, you can make a hard drive because of the wide fairway.

 

2nd hole seen from the green

2nd　Par 4　363 yards (2)

2nd　Par 4　363 yards (1)
　
8th　Par 4　428 yards

8th　Par 4　428 yards (2)

8th　Par 4　428 yards (1)
A slight dogleg to the left and gently downhill par 4. Bunkers guard the green.
　
11th　Par 4　381 yards

11th　Par 4　381 yards (2)

11t　Par 4　381 yards (1)
A par 4 that has the narrowest fairway in the course. The tee shot is intimidating not only because of the tight fairway but also the OBs on both sides. The pretty green is elevated.
 
13th　Par 4　365 yards
A par 4 that requires you hit over a pond on the second shot. The “red” bridge is impressive. The double-tiered green slopes a lot and 3 putts are common when the ball is far from the pin.


A pond in the shape of Lake Biwako

13th　Par 4　365 yards (2)

13th　Par 4　365 yards (1)
　
17th　Par 3　125 yards

Lotus floating in a pond

17th　Par 3　125 yards
A short but beautiful par 3 over a lake full of lotuses.
　
18th　Par 4　365 yards

18th　Par 4　365 yards (2)

18th　Par 4　365 yards (1)
A well designed, dogleg to the right par 4. The tee shot and the second shot are over the same lake. The fairway slopes a lot from the left toward the lake on the right. On the second shot, the views of the lake, the green, and the clubhouse behind them are very beautiful. The hole has 2 arches of Japanese shrines located at both edges of the lake. It is strategically interesting as well as in having a religious or philosophical feel.
 

A shrine gate in the 18th hole

A shrine gate in the 18th hole

18th hole seen from the green
　
19th hole

The employees are well trained and friendly. The other Hiroshi Watanabe designed courses are Hsin Yi (信誼)GC, Nan Yi （南一）G&CC in Taiwan.