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Courses

Kasumigaseki Country Club Kawagoe, Saitama

Not much is known about Kasumigaseki Country Club outside of its domestic fanbase, but an upcoming appearance in the world’s greatest sporting contest is about to change all of that. Kasumigaseki CC beat other prestigious Japanese golf courses, including Yokohama Country Club and Wakasu Golf Links, to lay claim to Japan’s second Summer Olympics hosting gig – and its first Olympic golf competition.

Following last year’s completion of the redesign from legendary American golf course architect Tom Fazio, the course is now ready to welcome the best golfers on the planet as the countdown to July 29 begins. I was able to pay the course a visit in early May and get a preview of its impressive new layout, as well as learn more of its fascinating history.

Playing golf at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club, Mie prefecture, Japan

Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club Ise Shima, Mie Prefecture

As a mid-handicap golfer, I’ve never played in any serious golf competitions. The monthly medal at my home course or a "few bob" on a skins game with friends is as close to real tournament pressure as I will ever find. But as a fan of the game, I do love playing championship courses. Remembering the epic battles of professional tournaments fought by the greats of the game, the shots that won them the tournament, how they played the course and their composure never fails to inspire us to try and bring some of that into our own games.

On a recent trip to Mie prefecture in the southwest of Japan, I was lucky enough to enjoy a round at the fantastic Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club. A masterful design by Mr Osamu Umeda, this 18-hole, par-72 course was made famous by being home to...

News

Fowler, Morikawa And Schauffele Commit To 2023 ZOZO Championship Tickets Now Available!

CHIBA, Japan –– Tournament officials announced today that Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, who have won a combined 18 PGA TOUR victories, will headline the 2023 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP at ACCORDIA GOLF Narashino Country Club in Chiba, October 19-22, 2023. Joining the trio will be two of the PGA TOUR’s newest young stars, Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee.

Tickets for the 2023 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, the PGA TOUR’s premier event in Japan, go on sale from today, August 22, at 12 p.m. JST. Details on pricing and purchasing tickets are available on https://zozochampionship.com/en/ .

“We are thrilled to have Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele headlining the 2023 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP,” said Executive Director Travis Steiner. “Joining...

Matsuyama enjoys glorious finish to advance with four other Asian stars in FedExCup Playoffs

Hideki Matsuyama knew what he needed to do to extend his campaign in the FedExCup Playoffs and stay in the fight to keep alive a proud streak in his illustrious career. Being forced to wait for an hour and 37 minutes to complete the remaining three holes during a weather suspension in the final round at the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday only heightened the pressure-packed moment.

“I looked and saw what I needed to do on the final three holes. I knew I had to birdie them all. All I knew is I had to make birdies, so I just put my head down and did the best I could,” said Matsuyama. Once play resumed, the 31-year-old duly delivered, and in style too.

Upon his return to the par-5 16th hole, he striped a drive down the fairway before rifling a six iron to just...

Instruction

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...

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...

Lifestyle

Rugby World Cup 2023 Experience Travel Packages available From Japan

The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan captured the hearts of millions and etched memories that will endure for a lifetime. Many people traveled to Japan to take in the games and also experienced some golf while here. AIR Golf was fortunate enough to work with the South African Rugby Union after the tournament and arrange some well-deserved R+R and golf for their team. Now, as the global rugby community converges in France for the 2023 edition, it's time to start organizing your trip to France.

STH Japan is offering travel packages for the 2023 Rugby World Cup Known for their expertise in curating top-notch sports experiences, STH has left no stone unturned in crafting premium travel packages for the Rugby World Cup 2023, and we highly recommend them if you are...

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.

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