Nina Caldwell
Golf parks, also known as golf courses, are grounds where the sport of golf is played. They consist of a series of holes, each with a tee box, a fairway, the rough and other hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole in the ground, known as a cup. Golf courses can be built on sandy areas along coasts, abandoned farms, strip mines, quarries, deserts, and forests. The design of a golf course is considered successful when it is visually pleasing and playable, with environmental responsibility becoming an increasingly important factor. There are different types of golf courses, including links courses, stadium courses, and heathland courses, each with its own unique characteristics and considerations.
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What You'll Learn
History of Park Golf
Park golf is a sport that was invented in 1983 in the small town of Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. The founders of the sport wanted to create a game that was easily accessible and playable for people of all ages, with simple rules and equipment. The name "park golf" literally means playing golf in a park.
The game uses similar terminology and rules to regular golf, with the goal of getting the ball into a hole using the fewest strokes. However, park golf is played on a smaller course, usually with 9 or 18 holes, and the holes are larger to accommodate the size of the ball. The ball used in park golf is a plastic resin ball that is 60 mm in diameter and weighs less than 100 grams. It is bright-coloured so that it can be easily distinguished from a distance. The club used in park golf is similar in appearance to a standard golf driver but with a thicker and shorter shaft. The head on the club is rarely varied, but the length of the stick can change according to the height of the player.
Since its inception in 1983, park golf has gained a following in Japan and is now actively enjoyed in over 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Central America. In Japan alone, there are over 5 million players and 700,000 park golf courses. The sport has also seen rapid growth in South Korea since its introduction there in 1995.
There are regular park golf tournaments held in Japan, with scores as low as 96 for 4 rounds. The Nippon Park Golf Association in Japan celebrates August 9 as "Park Golf Day" to raise the profile of the game. The sport has also gained recognition in the United States, with the first park golf course in the country being opened by American wrestler Dick "The Destroyer" Beyer, who spent several years in Japan and fell in love with the game.
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Park Golf Equipment
Park golf is a variation of golf that was invented in 1983 in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. It is a more accessible and simple version of golf that can be played by people of all ages. The game is played on a course that is about one-tenth the size of a traditional golf course, usually in a park, and uses similar terminology such as par, bogey, eagle, and double eagle.
The equipment used in park golf is quite distinct from traditional golf. The park golf club is similar in appearance to a standard golf driver but with a thicker and shorter shaft. The club head rarely varies, but the length of the stick can change according to the height of the player. The club is flat, and only the most skilled players can hit the ball in the air.
The balls used in park golf are made of durable plastic resin and are brightly coloured so they can be easily seen from a distance. They are smaller than traditional golf balls, with a diameter of 60 mm and a weight of less than 100 grams.
Some players carry their balls in their hands or pockets, while others invest in ball-carrying devices. These can range from a simple moulded length of stainless steel attached to the belt or shoelaces to high-end leather fanny packs that can also hold personal items. Scorecard holders are another popular accessory, with even the most casual players spending a small amount to protect their scorecards from the elements.
In addition to clubs and balls, there are various accessories available for park golf enthusiasts. These include bags, tees, and anchors. While park golf has simpler equipment requirements than traditional golf, some specialised gear is needed due to the unique nature of the game.
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Rules of the Game
Park golf is a form of golf played in a park that was invented in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan in 1983. It is played using a single ball and club, with the aim of getting the ball into a hole in the fewest strokes possible. The rules of the game are simple and are as follows:
Number of Players
To formally play a game of park golf, two to four participants are required to form one group. The order of play is decided by drawing rods, which are generally provided by the course management at the beginning of each course.
Course Selection
Once the initial shooting order is determined, the group decides which course to play on. Most parks have multiple courses, with one course being 9 holes. Multiple courses can be played, and holes can be shot in any order, provided that all holes are eventually played.
Scoring
During the game, if a player is having difficulty finishing a hole, they may take 8 as their score once they exceed this number of strokes and move on. The player with the lowest score at the end of all accrued courses is the winner.
Course Etiquette
Park golf etiquette is based on the enjoyment of the game and nature. Players must take care not to damage the greenery and smoking is forbidden on all courses.
Safety
Golf staff are responsible for notifying players of expected or imminent severe weather and requesting that they vacate the golf course.
Golf Cart Rules
Golfers must have a valid driver's license available at the time of renting a golf cart. All drivers must drive safely and responsibly. Golf carts must be kept 30 feet from greens and tees and observe the 90-degree rule at all times.
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Park Golf Courses
Golf courses are the grounds on which the sport of golf is played. They can be built on various types of land, including sandy coastal areas, abandoned farms, strip mines, quarries, deserts, and forests. The design of a golf course is a specialty within landscape design and architecture, and the field has its own celebrity designers.
There are several types of golf courses, including links courses, stadium courses, and heathland courses. Links courses refer to sandy areas along coasts, and heathland courses are typically found in Britain, featuring vegetation like heather, gorse, and coarse grasses. Stadium courses, such as TPC courses, are designed with spectators in mind and often feature exciting holes and vantage points.
Most golf courses have 9 or 18 holes, with each hole consisting of a tee box, a fairway, the rough, hazards, and a green with a cylindrical hole called a "cup" that holds a flagstick or "pin." The holes vary in length and difficulty and are assigned a standard score or "par," which a proficient player should achieve in a specific number of strokes (usually three, four, or five).
In addition to the traditional 9 or 18-hole courses, there are also short courses with mostly par-3 holes, which are gaining popularity due to their environmental friendliness and accessibility for beginners. Some courses even feature non-standard hole numbers, such as 12 or 14.
Golf course design is not just about playability but also visual appeal and environmental responsibility. A successful design harmonizes with the natural landscape, incorporating vegetation, water bodies, paths, grasses, and stonework to create a visually pleasing and environmentally beneficial space.
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Is Park Golf the Next Craze?
Park golf is a sport created to allow people of all ages to enjoy golf in a park-like setting. It was invented in 1983 in the small town of Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, with the aim of making golf more accessible and playable for everyone while keeping the name, rules, and equipment as simple as possible.
The game is played on a small 9- or 18-hole course, about one-tenth the size of a regular golf course, and uses similar terminology such as par, birdie, eagle, and out of bounds. The key differences are that Park Golf only requires a single club, similar to a standard golf driver but with a thicker, shorter shaft, and a plastic ball the size of a billiard ball. The club is flat, and only the most skilled players can hit the ball in the air. The ball is bright-colored, usually solid-colored, and is 60mm wide, or about 2⅜ inches, slightly smaller than a tennis ball. The holes are larger than in regular golf, with a width of around 8-8.5 inches in diameter.
The objective of the game is similar to golf: to get the ball into the hole in the fewest strokes. There is also a strong emphasis on harmony with other players and the natural setting of the course. The rules are simple, the physical strain is low, and the cost of playing is affordable, making it a good sport for children and families.
Since its inception in 1983, Park Golf has gained popularity not just in Japan but also in over 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Australia, Taiwan, and Central America. In Japan alone, there are over 5 million players and 700 Park Golf courses. The number of new players is growing daily, attracting the attention of large OEM manufacturers like Callaway, Mizuno, and Honma, who have started making equipment for the sport.
With its simplicity, accessibility, and affordability, Park Golf has the potential to become the next craze in the world of golf, providing a fun and challenging outdoor activity for people of all ages and abilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf park, or park golf, is a form of golf played in a park. It was invented in Makubetsu, Hokkaido, Japan in 1983.
Golf park is designed to be accessible and playable for people of all ages. It uses a simplified version of golf's rules and equipment. For example, golf park is played on a smaller course (9 or 18 holes) and only requires a single club and ball.
Similar to golf, the objective of golf park is to hit the ball into a hole in the fewest strokes possible.
You will need one club and one ball. The club is similar in appearance to a standard golf driver but with a thicker, shorter shaft. The ball is made of plastic and is around 60mm wide, or 2 ⅜ inches.
Golf park uses similar terminology to golf, such as par, bogey, eagle and out of bounds. The rules are simple and focus on enjoyment of the game and nature. For example, smoking is forbidden on all courses and players must take care not to damage the greenery.
