South at Nara OGM Golf Club

Nara OGM Golf Club's South Course lies in the Yamabe area of Nara Prefecture, part of the Kansai region southeast of Kyoto. The course was designed by Peter Thomson, the five-time Open Championship winner from Australia who became one of Asia's most prolific golf course architects after his competitive career. Thomson designed or co-designed more than a hundred courses across the Asia-Pacific region from the 1970s onward, bringing a strategic, ground-game sensibility influenced by his experience on British links to varied Asian landscapes.

The South Course occupies rolling terrain typical of inland Nara, where the topography provides natural movement and elevation change. Thomson's design philosophy generally emphasized strategic options over forced carries, favoring courses that rewarded thoughtful play and allowed multiple routes to the green. His Japanese work often incorporated the surrounding landscape into the golf experience, framing holes within the region's forested hillsides and seasonal beauty.

Nara OGM operates as a members' club with guest access, part of Japan's extensive network of private golf facilities. The club offers traditional Japanese golf club amenities, including onsen bathing facilities and dining that reflects regional culinary traditions. The South Course serves as one of multiple layouts at the property, providing variety for members and visitors exploring Thomson's design work in Japan. The course reflects both Thomson's international design principles and the particular character of Nara's inland geography.