Harper Lin
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with a variety of courses catering to different budgets and skill levels. Japan has half of Asia's golf courses, with over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country. The sport is experiencing a surge in interest, especially among younger players, following Hideki Matsuyama's victory at the 2021 Masters, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the launch of the ZOZO Championship in 2019. However, golf participation in Japan has been on a downward trend since the 1980s, with a 40% drop since 1996. The country offers breathtaking golf experiences, with famous golf resorts located around Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and Okinawa, known for their beautiful scenery. Playing a round of golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with golfers taking a lengthy lunch break between the first and second halves of the course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Golf is the second-biggest golf market in the world, with over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country. However, golf's popularity is flagging, with a 40% drop in participation since 1996. |
| Courses | Japan has half of Asia's golf courses, with a large variety of courses catering to different budgets and skill levels. Courses are found across all regions of Japan, with notable ones near Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, Okinawa, and Kagoshima, Yamagata, and Tohoku Prefectures. |
| Cost | It typically costs between 7,000 and 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round of golf, including lunch and a golf cart. Costs are higher on weekends, during peak seasons, and near large cities. |
| Culture | Golf was once baked into Japan's business culture, with companies engaging in "seitai golfu" or informal business negotiations on the golf course. However, this has declined with the burst of Japan's economic bubble in the late 1980s. |
| Pace | Golf in Japan is not rushed, with an emphasis on appreciation and enjoyment. A round of golf typically takes a whole day, including an hour-long lunch break. |
| Dress Code | Most courses enforce a dress code requiring collared shirts and slacks or shorts/skirts. Some courses also require jackets to be worn in the clubhouse. |
| Reservations | Making reservations at golf courses can be challenging for foreign visitors, as only a few courses allow easy reservations in English. Reservations may be made through travel agents, hotels, or via Japanese websites. |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's popularity in Japan
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with a variety of courses catering to different budgets and skill levels. The country has over 2,000 golf courses, which is half of Asia's golf courses and the second-biggest golf market in the world.
The sport's popularity in Japan has fluctuated over time. During the 1980s, Japan experienced an economic boom, and golf became an integral part of its business culture. Companies commonly engaged in seitai golfu, or informal business negotiations on the golf course. However, after the Japanese economic bubble burst in 1989, the country's golf industry suffered. Membership fees for private golf clubs, which were already high, became unaffordable for many, and the sport began to be perceived as exclusive to older generations. As a result, golf participation in Japan decreased by 40% from 1996 to 2017.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in golf among younger players in Japan. This surge can be attributed to several factors, including Hideki Matsuyama becoming the first Japanese player to win the Masters in 2021, the inclusion of golf in the COVID-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the launch of the ZOZO Championship in 2019. According to the R&A's 2023 Global Golf Participation Report, Japan had 8.1 million on-course adult golfers, making it the top market outside of the United States.
The culture surrounding golf in Japan differs from that of the United States. In Japan, a round of golf is typically an all-day event, with golfers taking a one-hour lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. The pace of play is slower, reflecting a more relaxed and leisurely approach to the game. Golf courses in Japan offer stunning natural scenery, with some of the best courses located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and Okinawa.
While golf in Japan has traditionally been expensive, with high membership and initiation fees, there are now more affordable options. It is not uncommon to pay between 7,000 and 12,000 yen for an 18-hole round of golf, including lunch and a golf cart, especially on weekdays. Additionally, there are accessible driving ranges and 24/7 golf simulator establishments in cities like Tokyo, making the sport more accessible to a wider range of players.
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Cost of playing golf in Japan
Golf in Japan used to be a luxury sport, with exorbitant membership and green fees. However, nowadays, it is a popular sport in Japan, with around 2,350 golf courses across the nation, making it the country with the second-highest number of golf courses in the world. Golf in Japan is also more affordable than it used to be, with a variety of courses catering to golfers of every budget and skill level.
The cost of playing golf in Japan depends on the time of year, location, and type of course. Prices are typically higher on weekends, during peak seasons, and near large cities. Some prestigious golf clubs still charge a premium, with packages including two games, accommodation, dinner, and breakfast costing around $275 from mid-May to July. However, on average, golfers can expect to pay between $80 to $150 USD for a round of golf in Japan, including green fees, tax, a drive buggy, and a caddie.
Playing a round of golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with a one-hour lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. It is common for golfers to spend the entire day enjoying bullet trains, golf, Japanese food, and drinks, which can cost around $200 USD in total.
For those looking to improve their golf skills, indoor simulation studios offer excellent value, with 30 minutes of free play costing approximately $11.75 USD, and an additional lesson costing $7.75. This makes it possible to get a 30-minute lesson with video playback in an air-conditioned room for under $20 USD.
It is worth noting that scoring a hole-in-one in Japan can be costly. It is customary for the golfer to buy expensive gifts, cover green fees, and pay for dinner and drinks for all their playing partners. To manage this expense, some people take out hole-in-one insurance. Additionally, making reservations at golf courses can be challenging for foreign visitors, as only a handful of courses allow for easy reservations in English.
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Japanese golf customs
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with a variety of courses catering to golfers of all skill levels and budgets. The country has about half of Asia's golf courses, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and Okinawa, offering beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.
However, the popularity of golf in Japan has been declining. In the 1980s, during the country's economic heyday, golf was an integral part of its business culture, with companies engaging in "seitai golfu" — using the sport for informal business negotiations. But since the burst of the economic bubble in 1989, golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40% as businesses decided it was no longer worth the expense.
- Golf is typically an all-day event, especially at private clubs, where it is common to complement the game with post-round spa treatments and dinner.
- There is usually a one-hour lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. Only selected courses allow playing 18 holes without a break, except in Hokkaido and Okinawa, where it is the norm.
- Most courses enforce a dress code requiring players to wear appropriate golf attire, such as collared shirts and slacks or shorts/skirts. Some clubhouses may also require jackets.
- Caddies are commonly used in Japan, with one caddie (usually female) accompanying a group of four golfers. However, self-play options are becoming more common to reduce costs.
- Yellow flags or striped poles are often placed on the fairway about 230 yards from the regular tees, indicating the average driving distance for Japanese golfers.
- OB tees (marked by two yellow dots on the map) are used to speed up play on holes where balls are frequently hit out of bounds or into water. These additional tee markers are placed further down the fairway for the next shot.
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Golf courses in Japan
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with the country hosting the second-largest number of golf courses in the world, second only to the United States. There are over 2,000 golf courses in Japan, with a large variety of courses catering to golfers of every budget and skill level. The sport is accessible all year round, except in snowy regions where courses close during winter.
The cost of playing golf in Japan is relatively high, with an average cost of 7,000 to 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including lunch and a golf cart. This price increases on weekends, during peak seasons, and near large cities. Private courses, which make up about 90% of Japan's courses, often require hefty membership and initiation fees, although this trend is changing.
Playing golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with golfers taking a one-hour lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. This differs from the style of golf in the United States, where players tend to play faster and focus on completing the course quickly. Making reservations at golf courses in Japan can be challenging for foreign visitors, as only a few courses allow for easy reservations in English.
Some popular golf destinations in Japan include the Izu Peninsula, Mount Fuji and its surrounding areas, Okinawa, and the Kagoshima Prefecture, offering a combination of beautiful mountain views and coastal scenery.
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Golfing etiquette in Japan
Golfing in Japan is a unique experience, with a dedicated and perfectionistic culture surrounding the sport. Here are some key points of golfing etiquette to be aware of when playing in Japan:
Timing and Reservations
Golfing in Japan is typically an all-day event, with a lengthy lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. It is customary to arrive at the golf course at least an hour before your reservation time. This allows you to check in, get ready, and be at the first tee 10 minutes before your official start time.
Dress Code
Most courses enforce a strict dress code. While the hot and humid climate may tempt you to wear shorts, long pants are required at most courses. A collared shirt and slacks or shorts/skirt are considered appropriate golf attire. During the cooler months, a jacket may be required or recommended in the clubhouse.
Course Features
Japanese golf courses have some unique features to be aware of. For instance, a yellow flag or striped pole is often placed on the fairway at a distance of around 230 yards from the regular tees, indicating an ideal tee shot landing spot. Additionally, OB tees (marked by two yellow dots on the map) are used to speed up play on holes where balls may be hit out of bounds or into water.
Pace of Play
Slow play is generally discouraged in Japan, and golfers are expected to maintain a good pace throughout the course. However, this does not mean rushing through the game. Golf in Japan is about appreciation and taking the time to enjoy the experience, the scenery, and the company.
Cost
Golf in Japan can be expensive, and it is often seen as a high-end sport. While there are courses catering to various budgets, the cost of playing golf in Japan is generally higher than in countries like the United States, where the sport is more accessible to the general public.
Caddy Culture
In Japan, English-speaking caddies are rare, and tipping them is not customary.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with a variety of courses catering to golfers of all skill levels and budgets. Japan has half of Asia's golf courses, with over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country. However, the sport's popularity has been declining, with a 40% drop in participation since 1996.
The cost of playing golf in Japan can vary depending on the location and type of course. Private courses, which make up about 90% of Japan's courses, typically require hefty membership and initiation fees. On the other hand, public courses are more affordable, with rates ranging from 7,000 to 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including lunch and a golf cart.
Golf in Japan is less about rushing and more about appreciation and enjoyment. A round of golf typically takes up an entire day, with an hour-long lunch break between the first and second halves of the course. Golf is also integrated into Japan's business culture, with companies engaging in "seitai golfu", or informal business negotiations on the golf course.
