KASUMIGASEKI COUNTRY CLUB (KCC)

WHERE 40km north of Tokyo (35 minutes from Kan-Etsu/Ken-O expressway).

WHY The most likely way to get into this private club, the 2020 Olympic course, is through an invitation from a member. To stage the event, the club was pressured into opening to women members in March 2017.

The KCC was established in 1929 with the East Course and redesigned in 1930 by CH Allison. His secret design weapon was a cavernous bunker, represented at the par 3 10th on Kasumigaseki East. He also provided input for the West Course.

In that era, courses routinely had twin greens, with different grass for winter and summer – a feature considered outdated now that bent grass can cope with climatic vagaries. Part of the brief for Tom Fazio and son Logan, the US team refashioning the East for the Olympics, is to eliminate the twin-green system. In other respects, they remain true to tradition, lengthening and opening up the fairways and enhancing the bunkers – without adding gimmicky water features to existing lakes and streams. PRICE Weekdays ¥27,000 (US$254), weekends/holidays ¥31,000 (US$292). HOURS 7.30am to sunset. Closed Monday. FACILITIES East Course (2020 Summer Olympics) 18 holes, 7,466 yards par 71; West Course 18 holes, 7,117 yards par 73. 250 yard range, five short-game practice greens and putting greens. Five pros offering tuition. Club hire not available.

MAX HANDICAP 20 (certificate not requested, but best to take a copy).

FOOD AND LEISURE Understated luxury marks a low-rise clubhouse in a circle of pines, which serves quality Japanese food and has a bar/terrace where businesspeople can be seen making deals after their rounds. CONTACT 3398, Kasahata, Kawagoe-shi, Saitama 350-1175; +81 492 31 2181; kasumigasekicc.or.jp

FROM OPPOSITE PAGE: Kasumigaseki Country Club seen from the air; and from the green; Kawana Hotel