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Editor's Pick

Setouchi Golf Resort Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture

Perched above the picturesque Seto Inland Sea, Setouchi Golf Club offers one of the best golf resort experiences in Japan. It has the 3 most important ingredients for any golfing trip; 1. The Setting: The sweeping vistas of the turquoise sea with beautiful wooded islands, and hemmed by the surrounding mountains are on par with any view in Japan. 2. A player's course: This is a golfing gem- challenging holes, superbly routed that demand your attention and are as beautiful as the backdrop- but more on that later... And no. 3. The Hospitality: This is one point where Setouchi soars above the rest; it is full of local, authentic charm, amazing cuisine, and friendly, good-natured people -are what defines this place.

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

Defending champion Collin Morikawa and two-time major winner Xander Schauffele commit to ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

Tournament officials announced today that Collin Morikawa will defend his title at the 2024 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP at ACCORDIA GOLF Narashino Country Club in Chiba, October 24-27, 2024. Joining Morikawa is this season’s two-time major champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games gold medallist, Xander Schauffele.

“We are delighted to announce that Collin Morikawa will defend his title at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP this October,” said Travis Steiner, Executive Director of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP. “He emerged as a very popular winner amongst our fans last year following a rousing victory and I’m sure Collin will be eager to repeat his success and become our first two-time champion. It is also very special to welcome back Xander Schauffele to Japan following an outstanding year where he won two...

Matsuyama on the cusp of FedEx St. Jude Championship glory

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama put himself on the brink of FedExCup Playoffs history after a second successive 6-under 64 in the third round powered him into a five-shot lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Saturday.

No Asian golfer has claimed a post-season victory since the Playoffs was incepted in 2007 and the 32-year-old gave himself the golden opportunity following another impressive showing at TPC Southwind in Memphis, highlighted by an eagle and five birdies.

Matsuyama, a nine-time PGA TOUR winner and bronze medalist at the recent Paris Olympics, stands at 17-under 193, with TOUR rookie Nick Dunlap in solo second after a 66 for 198. Reigning FedExCup champion, Viktor Hovland surged into third place with a 66 while FedExCup leader and Olympic gold medalist,...

Equipment

New Titleist GT Drivers debut At The Memorial Unveiling of the GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers

The introduction of the new Titleist GT2, GT3 and GT4 drivers this week at Muirfield Village signals the start to the tour seeding and validation process that will continue over the coming weeks and months across the worldwide professional tours. The new Titleist GT fairway metals will also be making their debut this week in Ohio.

Collaborating with the game’s best players throughout the R&D process, and then earning their final validation, is foundational to the development of all high-performance Titleist golf equipment.

PGA Tour player Cameron Young said: “The whole [Titleist Golf Club R&D] team from top to bottom is just obsessed with making things as good as they can and they have such a deep...

Titleist Introduces Its Next Generation Of Golf Balls Three New Models Released to the Japan Market

Titleist, a company renowned for dominating the golf ball market with both Pro V1 and Pro V1X models, has announced the simultaneous release of three new golf balls into the Japan market: The new AVX, Tour Soft, and TrueFeel model balls.

Aiming to cover a wider spectrum of golfers, the new lineup has something for everybody in terms of feel, performance, and price point, bringing the total to seven different ball offerings.

Let’s take a look at each ball’s information:

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

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...

Italian Fine Jewelry Brand "FOPE" Opens First Flagship Store in Tokyo's Ginza Distric

Italian fine jewelry brand "FOPE" has opened its first flagship store in Japan, "FOPE GINZA," marking a significant milestone for the brand. Nestled amidst the opulence of Ginza, where luxury brands reign supreme, FOPE GINZA will captivate discerning shoppers with its understated elegance, becoming the brand's third flagship store in the world, following locations in Piazza San Marco in Venice and Old Bond Street in London.

Amidst the towering buildings that define the vibrant cityscape of Ginza, FOPE GINZA stands out with its new elegant two-story white building, housing FOPE's finest creations and representing its inaugural flagship presence in Japan.

More on Air

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...