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Golf in Japan FAQs

What's it like to golf in Japan? FAQs when it comes to Asia's best kept golfing secret

Golf in Japan is as unique as the country itself. Across the more than 6,852 islands - including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - there are no less than 2,349 golf courses, varying from revered top-100 courses to riverside pitch and putts. The below information is aimed at newcomers to Japan and attempts to cover the basic questions on teeing it up in Asia's best-kept golfing secret!

Image: © shibuya246.com

Travel

JNTO Launches New Inbound Golf Site

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched a fantastic new comprehensive golf guide for tourists. This site is the official guide of the Japanese government and is a tremendous guide for golfers coming to Japan.

You can discover some great courses, routes, and activity planners and it ties in with all the other amazing experiences in Japan- which are also part of the larger site.

Please check it out here: https://www.japan.travel/en/sports/golf/

AIR Golf Media was a proud collaborator in helping to create some of the golf guides and course listings, check out the 'Golfing Japan's Golfing Golden Route' here:

https://www.japan.travel/en/sports/golf/golfing-japans-golden-route/

What's it like to golf in Japan? FAQs when it comes to Asia's best kept golfing secret

Golf in Japan is as unique as the country itself. Across the more than 6,852 islands - including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu - there are no less than 2,349 golf courses, varying from revered top-100 courses to riverside pitch and putts. The below information is aimed at newcomers to Japan and attempts to cover the basic questions on teeing it up in Asia's best-kept golfing secret!

Image: © shibuya246.com

Courses

Spa & Golf Resort Kuji Iwatecho, Ibaraki Prefecture

Less than two hours from central Tokyo, Spa & Golf Resort Kuji is nestled in the beautiful Hitachiota region of Ibaraki Prefecture. Renowned for its unique course layout and contrasting nines, I set out from Tokyo eagerly. Having seen pictures of the resort’s accommodations and expansive open spaces on the website, I mostly looked forward to getting away from the city for a few days.

As we arrived in the afternoon on a Friday, the summer sun had dipped behind the trees, casting a magical glow over the surroundings. Immediatley you notice the cool Western-style villas lining the fairways on the right and a large covered driving range to the left, as you enter the clubhouse car park you will see its adjacent the on-site hotel.

Pulling up to the entrance, the staff...

Beat The Heat with Stay and Play Golf Packages at Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

Niseko, Hokkaido – This summer and fall, Park Hyatt Niseko invites you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Hokkaido with our specially curated Stay & Play Golf Package. Enjoy a cooler round of golf while taking in the dramatic backdrop of Mt. Yotei and the Annupuri mountain range. Afterward, unwind in the tranquil indoor pool and rejuvenate in the saunas and onsen hot springs, making relaxation the heart of your stay.

News

Olympics Announce Mixed Golf Team Event For Los Angeles 2028

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND (Tuesday, 15 April 2025) – The International Golf Federation (IGF) is pleased to confirm the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board approved the addition of an Olympic Golf Mixed-Team Event, which will debut at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) and complement the Men’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition and the Women’s Individual Olympic Golf Competition. All three Olympic Golf events will be contested at The Riviera Country Club at the LA28 Games.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to see a Mixed-Team Event added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028,” said IGF Executive Director Antony Scanlon. “Golf was incredibly successful at Paris 2024, and as we continue building on the momentum from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, we’re...

Rory Completes the Slam in an Augusta Classic Masters 2025 – Final Round Recap

On a Sunday that delivered Augusta’s trademark mix of pressure, heartbreak, and heroics, Rory McIlroy’s decade-long quest for the career Grand Slam finally came to its thrilling, tearful end.

In a playoff victory over Justin Rose, McIlroy captured his first green jacket and joined the most elite company in golf history. Only five others—Sarazen, Hogan, Player, Nicklaus, and Woods—have done what McIlroy achieved at age 35: win all four modern major championships.

An Epic Sunday Back Nine

The final round at Augusta delivered a rollercoaster of emotion, with McIlroy battling nerves, a surging field, and the ghosts of Masters Sundays past. His even-par 72 in regulation brought him to 11-under 277, tied with Justin Rose, who stormed home with a...

Equipment

Japan’s First Tour-Level Outdoor Fitting Facility Opens at The Country Club Japan

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to get your clubs fit at the same level as the pros, you no longer need to jump on a plane to the U.S. or Europe. Titleist has just opened the first fully outdoor, tour-level fitting facility in Japan—and it looks set to completely raise the bar for golf club fitting in the country.

Located at The Country Club Japan in Kisarazu, Chiba, the brand-new Titleist Fitting Center officially opened its doors on July 2, 2025. This is not your typical indoor simulator experience. At this facility, you can take full shots onto a sprawling 300-yard outdoor range, with the ball flight fully visible from takeoff to landing. It’s the kind of setup you’d usually only find on professional tours or at Titleist’s global headquarters.

Garmin fenix 8 Sapphire AMOLED A Golf GPS Watch That Surpasses Expectations

When you buy the Garmin fēnix 8 Sapphire AMOLED 51mm, you’ll likely be thinking, “This is going to be a great golf GPS watch.” And it is. But what will surprise you is just how much more it can do.

This is not just a golf watch—it’s a complete performance and lifestyle tool. From advanced health tracking to outdoor navigation, strength training to scuba diving, the fēnix 8 offers an unmatched level of versatility that most golfers won’t expect when they first strap it on.

The first thing I absolutely must mention is the battery life; it's incredible. I would say I didn't need to charge it for 2 weeks, and I was playing multiple rounds in a week, traveling, tracking multi-day activities, as well as all the communication app messages flowing through it. And from...

Instruction

Threading Shots Through Gaps In The Trees Stroke Savers

I have played golf for more than 40 years. Most days on the course I find myself shaking my head at the dreadful decisions people make, especially after hitting their tee shot into the trees. The sound of the ball pinging around amongst Japanese cedars happens far to often and even has begun to creep into my dreams. You cannot imagine my frustration as I watch hard-working students not improve their scores because they try to weave their ball through a gap in the trees that even Phil Mickelson wouldn't attempt. Inevitably they end up with scorecard wrecking 9 and I realise their recent lobotomy was a complete success.

Golf courses in Japan are mostly parkland-style courses whose fairways are heavily tree-lined. It is quite a rare occurrence to play links golf here. Even the...

How to prepare mentally for Matchplay 4 keys to remember

Golf is a sport that requires both physical and mental preparation in order to perform at your best. While many golfers focus on the physical aspects of the game, such as swing mechanics and course management, it is equally important to focus on the mental aspects of matchplay. Get yourself ready for that monthly medal and learn how to mentally prepare for matchplay in order to give yourself the best chance of success.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that matchplay is different from strokeplay. In stroke play, the goal is to shoot the lowest score possible over the course of a round. In matchplay, the goal is to beat your opponent. This shift in mindset can be difficult for some golfers to adjust to, but it is essential to understand that matchplay is a...

Lifestyle

A New Kind of Golf Community: Inside the Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi Golf Community

In the heart of Tokyo’s bustling financial and cultural hub, a new kind of golf community is quietly growing, one tee time at a time. The Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi Casual Golf Community is redefining what it means to be an international recreation golfer in Japan, offering an environment that is diverse, inclusive, and most importantly, relaxed.

We caught up with Allan Watanabe, one of the group’s members, to learn more about the community, the spirit behind it, and what makes it such an inviting alternative to Japan’s often tradition-bound golf scene.

10 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DID NOT KNOW ABOUT JACK NICKLAUS

The name Jack Nicklaus needs a very little introduction in the world of golf. He holds the most major victories in history with 18 titles and has won 73 times on the PGA TOUR. The 84-year-old is also known as the Golden Bear and has carved his legacy by building and designing numerous golf courses around the world.

He also supports philanthropic and charitable efforts in the U.S., including Play Yellow which encourages fans to wear yellow on Sunday to celebrate his longtime connection with the colour and a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals campaign with the goal to raise funds to help the 10 million kids treated at local children's hospitals each year.

While his name is synonymous with the game, below are 10 things that you probably didn't know about Nicklaus as he...

More on Air

Top 10 Golf Shops in Tokyo

In Tokyo, as in the rest of Japan, golf is an immensely popular sport, enjoyed by the Japanese on meticulously kept golf courses and driving ranges. Not surprisingly golf shops in Japan are also high spec, and it is not hard to find stylish apparel and high-quality equipment from both international and domestic brands in Tokyo. Here Is our list of the top 10 golf shops in Tokyo.

EUROZ GOLF Roppongi (Miura Custom Fitting) In the vibrant Roppongi district, EUROZ GOLF is a boutique golf shop renowned for its curated selection of premium Japanese golf brands. Specializing in custom fittings for esteemed brands like Miura, Roddio, and Itobori, the store offers golfers an opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and precision of Japan's top-tier golf equipment....

What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway (updated June 14th, 2023) If your ball strikes a fellow player's ball on the fairway by accident, The 9.6 rule comes into affect, meaning If my ball...

What happens if I ground my club in a bunker? The new rules of golf explained

In 2020, the US Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) made several changes to the rules of golf.

One major change was to the "drop procedure" when a ball is lost or out of bounds. Players are now allowed to drop the ball from shoulder height, rather than knee height, making the process more consistent and less prone to mistakes. Another change was to the rule regarding penalty strokes. Players will no longer be penalized for accidentally moving a ball on the green, such as when marking or lifting it.

Additionally, players are now allowed to repair almost any damage to the course, such as spike marks on the green. The changes also include simplifying the rules for bunkers, allowing players to touch or move loose impediments...