Golf in Tokyo: What to Expect

Most Japanese golfers are passionate in their approach to the game and it shows—this is definitely a golf loving country.  And that makes it a fabulous place for the international golfer as well. There are over 2,400 golf courses throughout the country from simple, everyman, riverside courses to prestigious and exclusive designer courses.  Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Jim Fazio, and Desmond Muirhead are just a few of the foreign designers who are well represented in Kanto (the area surrounding Tokyo).  A trip around one of these tracks was quite expensive during the golf boom and economic bubble in Japan several years back, but they can now be played for reasonable prices.  Moreover, courses here are usually well maintained, have usually helpful and courteous staff service, and offer hot spring-like baths for relaxing after the round.   


Still, there are some downsides to playing here, besides the obvious language and culture differences.  But if you know what to expect, you are much more likely to take in and appreciate all that Tokyo golf has to offer.

Expect one to two hours commute to the course

There are not many courses actually in Tokyo.  Most of the desirable and reasonably priced golf courses are nearby in Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Gunma, Saitama, Tochigi, and Yamanashi prefectures.  This means an hour or two hour’s commute from central Tokyo. You don't have to go by car for many courses here--Japan has a very efficient train system and most courses have a club bus that can pick you up from a station nearby the course.  Budget around ¥1,200 to ¥4,000 on one way train fair.  The club bus is free.  Jorudan has basic train information in English, but their Japanese page offers many more details and options.  And if you go by train and would prefer not to schlep your clubs to the course, you can have them delivered (takkyubin) easily.  You can send them from any convenience store—and some hotels—for about ¥1,300 anywhere in the country.  

   

Going by car is roughly the same time as well, but expressways here become congested easily, especially at peak times.   And toll charges (ETC) and gas are not cheap.  However, traveling by car is usually cheaper if there are four people or more sharing costs. 

Hole 7 at Fuji Classic in Yamanashi

Expect an entire day to play golf

Once at the course, you're looking at about 6 hours to play the round on a weekend.  Plan on two and a half hours for each nine and a required lunch break of about 45 minutes.  Playing 18 holes straight or “through play” is still uncommon here—the front nine/back nine tee times of a round are usually scheduled around the lunch break.  A typical day might involve getting up around 5 a.m., getting to the course around 8, starting the round at 9, finishing at 3, taking a leisurely bath and checking out at 4 and returning home around 6 p.m.

Hole 5 at Windsor Park in Ibaraki

Expect to bring your own equipment    

Nearly all Japanese bring their own equipment.   Finding a course that will rent clubs is not common, but they do exist.  Inquire with the course directly to see if this is possible.  Also be aware that many clubs will not allow you to play without proper golf shoes. And buying larger sized shoes (30cm/US size 11 and larger) can be difficult, even at large golf shops in  Tokyo.  Also, you’ll notice than many Japanese are very fashion conscious on the course.  Proper golf attire (collared shirt, no jeans, etc.) would be expected of you as well. 

Hole 3 at Gold Tochigi President in Tochigi

  

      

Expect to bring your own foursome  

Tee times are reserved for foursomes and the club staff do not put foursomes together—you are expected to already be a part of one.  On weekends, you can usually play as a threesome, but there may be a charge of ¥500 to ¥1,000 per player.  Twosomes are often not allowed on weekends, and if they are, expect a charge of 2 or 3 thousand yen per player.

Don’t have a foursome ready?  One option is to visit the golfclubjapan website.  This group of golfers is made up of mostly of ex-pats from all over the world.  You can join one of the golf outings posted or put us your own outing and try to get others to join you.   

Hole 11 at Narusawa in Yamanashi

¥12,000 to ¥20,000 in green fees 

On a weekend, you should be able to play a high quality course within two hours of central Tokyo for 12 to 20,000 yen, including lunch.  If you can play on a weekday, count on roughly half the price and a faster round.   And in poor weather seasons—mid July to early September (very hot and humid) and mid-December to February—expect prices to be about 30% lower.   

A Common Local Rule

To try and help speed play, many courses in Japan have a “playing four” rule on par four and par five holes with out of bounds.   For players who hit their tee shot out of bounds on these holes, the next shot is played in between gold colored tees in the fairway and the player lies three—playing the fourth shot.  The gold tee usually provide generous yardage—sometimes even 280 or 300 yards past the tee box.  Holes that have this rule, have it posted in Japanese on the tee box.

Another variation of this rule is the “one pena” (one penalty), often found on mountain courses with narrow fairways.  Instead of the white out of bounds stakes, you’ll find yellow and black ones.  They play like a lateral water hazard—two club lengths, no closer to the hole, from the point it went out.  Add one penalty stroke to the score.

Expect a Unique Golf Experience

If you’re a golf lover and here in Japan for some time, you should not miss the chance to play here.  Although playing here usually requires a lot more time, it will be an interesting, unique and unforgettable golf experience you won’t want to miss.  Now go play! 

Hole 7 at Harunanomori in Gunma