Nina Caldwell
Japan is a great place to enjoy a round of golf, with over 2,000 courses to choose from. The rules and etiquette are similar to those in other countries, but there are some unique aspects to be aware of. Golf courses in Japan are typically outside of tourist areas, so be prepared for a long round and a full day of golfing. Reservations are usually made over the phone or on the course website, and most courses enforce a dress code. There are plenty of driving ranges and golf simulators in cities like Tokyo, and golfing in Japan can be relatively affordable, with an 18-hole round including lunch and a golf cart costing around 7,000 to 12,000 yen on weekdays.
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses and etiquette in Japan
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with around 2,350 golf courses available for golfers of all skill levels and budgets. Many of these courses were constructed during the "bubble years" in the late '80s and early '90s, making golf more accessible and affordable today. You can play golf in Japan year-round, except in snowy regions where courses close in winter. Some of the best golf courses are located around famous resort areas, such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa, and Okinawa, offering stunning views.
When it comes to golf course etiquette in Japan, there are some unique aspects to be aware of:
- Reservations and Group Play: Most courses in Japan require group play, and singles are often not permitted. It is recommended to arrive at the golf course at least one hour before your reserved tee time. Making reservations as a foreigner can be challenging due to language barriers, but you can seek assistance from travel agents, hotel concierges, or stay at resorts with golf courses.
- Dress Code: Golf courses in Japan enforce a strict dress code. Collared shirts, slacks or shorts/skirts, and traditional conservative golfing attire are typically required. Jeans, cargo pants, t-shirts, and sandals are usually not allowed. Some clubhouses may also require jackets.
- Lunch Breaks: Playing golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with a mandatory lunch break of around 30 to 45 minutes after the first nine holes. Even if you don't want to eat, you must take the lunch break. This break is considered part of the golfing culture in Japan.
- Caddies: Caddies are commonly used in Japan, with one caddy usually assigned to a group of four players. Treat your caddy with respect, as abusive behaviour is not tolerated. Tipping caddies is not customary.
- Slow Play: Japanese golf courses emphasise the importance of maintaining a good pace of play. Be mindful of the time taken to finish each hole, as slow play is frowned upon. A unique local rule, "Forward 4" or "Front 4," is implemented to speed up play when a player's tee shot goes out of bounds.
- Practice Ranges: If you wish to practice at the driving range, purchase a token from the Caddy Master's Desk and select your clubs. Carts are not used to access the practice range in Japan.
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Unique rules and customs
Golfing in Japan can be a unique experience. Here are some of the country's rules and customs:
Dress Code
Most courses enforce a dress code, requiring players to wear appropriate golf attire, such as a collared shirt and slacks or shorts/skirt. Some courses may also require jackets to be worn inside the clubhouse.
Reservations
Golf courses in Japan typically require reservations, and only a few allow easy reservations in English. Foreign visitors usually make reservations through travel agents, hotel concierges, or by staying at a hotel resort with a golf course. There are also websites that offer reservation services for golf courses in Japan, including the popular hitori-yoyaku service, which allows single players to reserve rounds with other single players.
Caddies
Traditionally, golfers in Japan play with caddies, and most courses require an onsite caddy, often female. However, to keep costs down, many clubs now also offer self-play options, which are usually cheaper than playing with a caddy.
All-Day Event
Playing a round of golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with a mandatory lunch break of around one hour between the first and second halves of the course. Playing 18 holes without a break is possible at selected courses, except in Hokkaido and Okinawa, where it is customary. After a round, golfers often head to the clubhouse to relax in its bath, where towels, soap, and shampoo are usually provided.
Local Rules
Some unique local rules in Japan include the use of yellow flags or striped poles placed on the fairway near where a good tee shot would land. There are also black-and-yellow stakes with a yellow line on the map, marking an out-of-bounds area. These are used to speed up play and differ from normal out-of-bounds markers as the penalty is only one stroke, and your next shot is taken from where your ball crossed the line of the markers.
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Dress codes and attire
Golf is a popular sport in Japan, with courses for golfers of every budget and skill level. There are over 2,000 courses and 10 million golfers in the country, so it's a great place to play.
Golf courses in Japan, like those in other countries, enforce a dress code requiring players to wear appropriate golf attire while on the course. This typically includes a collared shirt and slacks or shorts/skirt. Some courses may also require jackets to be worn in the clubhouse, particularly outside of the summer months, so it is important to check ahead of time.
It is also important to note that, while visitors are usually permitted to use all the same facilities as members, people with tattoos are not allowed to enter the bathing and shower facilities if they have visible tattoos. This is due to the historical association of tattoos with organised crime groups in Japan, and the rule applies to everyone, regardless of their background.
When playing golf in Japan, it is customary to change into golf attire and shoes (soft-spiked only) upon arrival, and to store personal belongings in a locker. Shorts may be worn, but only with long socks that cover the ankle area. Collared shirts are required, and turtlenecks or polo necks are not allowed.
In addition to the dress code, there are a few other things to keep in mind when playing golf in Japan. Firstly, golf is typically an all-day event, with a lunch break of around one hour between the first and second halves of the course. Secondly, most courses require the use of a golf cart, and many also require an onsite caddy, usually female. Finally, reservations can be difficult for foreign visitors as only a handful of courses allow for easy reservations in English. It may be necessary to make reservations through a travel agent, hotel concierge, or by staying at a resort with a golf course.
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Costs and availability
Golf in Japan has been described as incredibly enjoyable and a unique experience. While it may have been extremely expensive a few decades ago, it is now much more affordable.
There are around 2,350 golf courses across Japan, with some sources stating there are 2,500. This makes it the country with the second most golf courses in the world. It is also one of the most popular sports in the country.
Golf courses in Japan are usually open to the public, and it is common to pay between 7,000 and 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including a golf cart and lunch. This is especially true on weekdays, with prices increasing over the weekend and during peak seasons.
Some sources state that golf in Japan is still expensive, with one source stating that between transportation and fees, they spent around $300 for a round of golf. However, this source also mentions that this included a mandatory lunch, which is common in Japan.
There are also many driving ranges across the country, which typically charge around 10 yen per ball. Some offer unlimited balls for a set amount of time.
For those on a budget, there are also cheaper options. The Edogawa line short course in Tokyo is described as cheap, with no dress code and a unique atmosphere. There are also 9-hole courses available for around $20-25.
Overall, while there may be some expensive options, there are also many affordable choices for golfers in Japan. With such a large number of courses, there is sure to be something for every budget.
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Golfing in Tokyo
If you are looking for a day trip from Tokyo, the Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba is a great option. The main course is private, but the West course is public and offers stunning views of Mount Fuji. It is about an hour and a half drive from Shibuya. The Fuji course at Kawana is another public course with beautiful scenery, ranked as the second-best in Japan. It is considered the Pebble Beach of the country.
For those who want to stay closer to the city, there are several options. The Edogawa line short course provides a relaxing atmosphere with no dress code and a good view of the skytree. It is a unique experience, feeling like playing in a field by the river with trains passing by. Toranomon Golf Plaza is a rooftop driving range with targets on the fence, giving it a batting cage-like feel. There are also numerous indoor golf simulators in Tokyo, such as the Global Golf Simulation in Shin-Yokohama, which offers a comfortable and realistic golfing experience.
Golf in Japan is typically an all-day event, with a long round of 18 holes and a one-hour lunch break in between. It is important to be punctual for your tee time, as Japanese courses are known for their punctuality. Most courses require golf carts, and some also mandate a caddy. The dress code is usually enforced, with collared shirts and slacks or shorts/skirts being the standard attire.
Tokyo offers a diverse golfing experience, from the bustling city courses to the serene countryside settings. With its many options, golfers can enjoy a blend of challenging play and cultural exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf in Japan used to be an expensive sport. However, nowadays, most courses are open to the public, and it is common to pay between 7,000 and 12,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round, including lunch and a golf cart. Prices are usually cheaper on weekdays. Clubs and carts can be rented, and caddies can be hired for an additional fee.
Most courses enforce a dress code, requiring players to wear appropriate golf attire, such as collared shirts and slacks or shorts. Some courses may also require jackets to be worn in the clubhouse. Golf is typically an all-day event in Japan, with a mandatory hour-long lunch break after the first 9 holes. It is also customary to arrive at the golf course at least an hour before your tee time.
Reservations can usually be made over the phone or through the course's official website. However, only a handful of courses allow for easy reservations in English. Foreign visitors may find it easier to make reservations through a travel agent, their hotel concierge, or by staying at a hotel resort with a golf course. There are also websites that offer the hitori-yoyaku service, which allows single players to reserve rounds with other single players at selected courses.
Japan offers a variety of unique golf experiences. For example, the Edogawa line short course in Tokyo provides a relaxing and cheap outdoor golf experience by the river. There are also plenty of driving ranges across the country, including rooftop ranges in Tokyo. Additionally, Japan has many prestigious members-only courses that allow non-members to play for a fee.
