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Kagoshima’s Golfing Gems Tanegashima and Ibusuki rank with the best golf courses in Japan

“Suppose they gave a war …. and nobody came” was a famous anti-war slogan from the 1960s. Well, suppose they built a golf course …. and nobody came. That could be the slogan of the beautiful but sadly under-used Tanegashima Golf Club in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Traveling from the Tokyo region to this remote island off the south coast of Kyushu feels like heading into the wilderness. It’s a 90-minute jetfoil ride from Kagoshima City, 90 minutes that quickly takes you from the fast lane to the slow. Only 28,000 people live on Tanegashima, with more than half of them in the main town and port of Nishinoomote. The island stretches north to south for nearly 60 km but is barely 10 km wide and has a maximum elevation of 282 meters.

But it still has plenty going for it. Its most...

Night Golf In Japan Under an hour from Tokyo

Part of the advantage of living in Chiba, as I do, is the proximity to golf courses. But living out there still doesn't make me immune to the dreaded morning and afternoon traffic jams that greet all golfers! To counter this several golf courses offer night golf, which is the perfect antidote to traffic not only on the roads but on the course itself! Playing night golf in Japan is like playing golf overseas: you drive there in 30 minutes or less, get right on to the course, and play-through in under 4 hours, and head back home. What's not to love? Well, I can hear the naysayers asking about lost balls. But I can honestly say that I lose fewer balls at night than I do during the day. More about that later.

Eastwood Country Club Kawachi, Tochigi Prefecture

About 1.5 hours drive North of Tokyo in Tochigi prefecture, lies a fantastic track, cleverly designed and with plenty of unique character and charm. It’s a favorite of locals and is a stop on the senior Japan Tour. This year, Eastwood CC has also started to welcome foreign golfers living and visiting Japan to experience its fantastic golf and classic Japanese “OMOTENASHI” spirit!

EARLYBIRD GOLF IN JAPAN Crazy but Genius!

There are no daylight savings in Japan- or Asia for that matter. That means, starting from Mid April until the end of August, sunrise is around 4 a.m. The idea of a 4:32 a.m. tee time might seem a bit daft to most, but for the golfer in Japan it not only makes a lot of sense, it is in fact, genious.

Nemu Golf Club Ise Shima, Mie Prefecture

Ise in Mie prefecture is more known for being home to Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine; Ise Jingu - than Golf courses, but with the backdrop of being Japan's ancient spiritual home and picture postcard geography, lies a Golf course and resort that will give you a modern and exciting experience unlike anything from its contemporaries in the more visited areas of Kansai.

Tsutsujigaoka Country Club Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture

A real gem of a course set in a national park, hemmed by breathtaking mountains and forests lies Tsutsujigaoka Country Club. Located in the city of Ashikaga, which is known historically as the Eastern ‘Little Kyoto’ for its cultural, religious and architectural heritage, and more recently for it's outdoor activities, Golf courses, wineries and the area's general 'slow-life' atmosphere.

Murasakizuka Golf Club Sakura, Tochigi prefecture

This is a golf resort for the Golfer who likes to combine good food, relaxing and luxurious facilities with fantastic golf. 27 holes, onsen, Hotel, pool, private villas, teppanyaki all available to help mind and body relax after a fun day on the course.

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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 If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty...

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.

Taylormade Flagship Store, Ginza Just opened in late 2019, this is a must-go for anyone visiting Japan, check out the Taylormade equipment, tax-free, with some exclusive Japan-only goods on offer such as the Gloire range as well as Ginza-original branded goods.

Address: GICROS GINZA GEMS 1F, 6-4-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

Opening hours: 11:00～21:00

Tel:...

Locating The Sweet Spot On Your Irons Get more consistant with your ball striking

There is no better feeling in golf than a pure golf shot, connecting the center of the club face or ‘sweet spot’. In contrast, there is no worse feeling in golf than hitting a thin, chunked or the dreaded shank shot! Consistently hitting the sweet-spot will have you pure-ing your irons and giving you the confidence to be a better iron player.

What's it like to golf in Japan? FAQ of Asia's best kept golfing secret

Golf in Japan is as unique as the country itself, there are over 6,852 islands including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu. There are 2,349 courses in Japan, varying from some revered top 100 courses to riverside pitch and putt. 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!