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Shizuoka Travel Guide Home to Japan's most iconic landmark

Home to just under 100 golf courses and the world heritage site of Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture is located at the Pacific coast in the south of the Chubu Region, Japan. Well known for its green tea production, hot springs, and natural scenery, the prefecture is a must-see for anyone visiting the country. About 11% of the prefecture is designated as natural park land, including the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park, and Minami Alps National Park. Shizuoka is a popular tourist destination because of its easy access from Tokyo. You can reach the prefecture's capital, Shizuoka City, in about one hour by Shinkansen (bullet train) or three hours using local trains or a highway bus.

Photo: Mount Fuji at Dawn, Shizuoka Prefecture by miquitos, under cc...

Hokkaido Travel Guide The second largest and northernmost of Japan's islands

Hokkaido is best known for its unspoiled nature. With 20% of the country's land area but only 5% of its population, the island is the perfect place for outdoor lovers. Aside from breathtaking scenery and plenty of opportunity for adventure, Hokkaido also offers excellent food, especially seafood. In Sapporo, the vibrant capital, and other cities, you can enjoy modern city life.

Photo: Biei Landscape by Chi King https://flic.kr/p/cF6Tx1

Chiba Travel Guide Tokyoites' favorite golfing destination has a lot to offer!

Urban chic shopping or mountain hiking. First baseline seats at the ballpark or surfing on the Pacific coast. An exciting day at the amusement park home of a famous mouse or basking in the tranquility of a “secret garden” on the grounds of a 13th-century temple. All of these can be done in Chiba Prefecture, some within 30 minutes of Tokyo. Although not even in the top half of prefectures in terms of area, Chiba is ranked firmly in the top 10 in terms of population density. Not to worry though, the balance of urban in the countryside still leaves room for the 157 golf courses where you can shoot 18 holes in the morning and still have time for so much more in the afternoon.

Image: Beach in Chiba by alcyone.ath.cx, cc https://flic.kr/p/d9R6Zc
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
Kingdom of Morroco

Kingdom of Golf - Morocco A five-day Moroccan golf journey

Morocco is a fascinating mosaic of cultures and traditions, desert landscapes, authentic Kasbahs, spice bazaars and sumptuous palaces. For decades it’s been attracting artists, writers, travellers and more recently golfers in search of the exotic. ANDREW MARSHALL & PAUL MARSHALL tee-it-up in Marrakech and Agadir.

The first port of call for our five-day Moroccan golf journey was the Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort, an oasis of luxury and refinement nestled in the heart of a lush, cool palm grove ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. This exquisite property is richly decorated in intricate Moorish designs that feature large archways, opulent furnishings and a décor in rich earth tones. After checking in we were asked to make ourselves comfortable on a...
Irish Golf Course

Around Ireland in 18 courses The Emerald Isle’s must play courses

Golf, especially links golf, comes in no greater dramatic abundance than in Ireland, and around the coastline the courses are spread like gems - created by nature and linked together to form a necklace of beauty. All the key ingredients are here in abundance
- towering dunes, tumbling fairways, elevated greens, deep pot bunkers, slick putting surfaces, howling winds and the taste of salt in the sea air.

Some layouts such as Lahinch and Ballybunion Old are classics where golf has been played since the late 1800s, whilst others such as Doonbeg and Tralee are relatively recent creations that still look as though they have been part of the landscape since then. Finding your way to these courses is all part of the experience; travelling through a wild landscape of brooding mountains...
Saipan Golf

Saipan's scenic championship courses Just three hours from Tokyo awaits a winter golf haven

When visitors first step out of the plane at Saipan International Airport, they are greeted by the salty-sweet taste of sea breeze, hazy sunshine, and an inescapable feeling of relaxation. Just three hours from Tokyo lies this winter golf haven, part of the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

There are five golf courses on the island of Saipan—courses that are strikingly beautiful and lush, many with fantastic panoramic views of the Pacific, its reefs, and greener than green hills. Aside from golf, the island offers many historical and geographical sites to explore, as well as diving and other maritime activities. There are also numerous resort hotels and kid-friendly activities, making this an ideal destination for families. Another of Saipan’s great draws is its...

Golf on Hawaii’s Big Island Hawaii is by most people’s standards “golf heaven"

Hawaii is by most people’s standards “golf heaven", with over 90 golf courses on six of the most picturesque islands in the world, and near perfect weather conditions all year round. It is for these reasons that Hawaii remains the top golfing destination for Japanese players outside Japan. The designs of golf courses in Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island are unique given the diverse topographical features of the island. Mountains, the coastline and even ancient lava flows are all incorporated into these designs. To give you an idea of the beauty and wonder of the Big Island as a golf destination, we introduce five of the top courses.
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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...