Full Answer
What is the most expensive golf membership in Japan?
The most expensive golf membership in Japan is the exclusive Koganei Golf Club-a vast oasis of immaculately manicured greenery near Tokyo where Takeuchi and other mere mortal golfers can only dream of flailing their niblicks and brassies alongside the likes of former Prime Ministers Yasuhiro Nakasone and Noboru Takeshita. Why?
How much does it cost to play golf in Tokyo?
How much does it cost to play golf in Tokyo? The days of astronomical green fees are fortunately gone. Although there are exclusive and expensive courses still to be found, generally the pricing is around ¥15,000 - ¥20,000 ($138.00 - $184.00) on weekends and between ¥8,000-¥12,000 ($73.00 - $110.00) on weekdays for courses within an hour of Tokyo.
Why are people selling their golf memberships in Japan?
''When the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 1,353 points on March 19 and the official discount rate was raised one percentage point the next day, sell orders of golf memberships ballooned,'' said golf membership broker Tsutomu Ishimura. ''People were selling off their golf memberships in order to make up losses they suffered on the stock exchange.''
How many golf courses do we offer in Japan?
We offer a choice of over 38 golfcourses spread out thru Japan. Book green fees and tee times in REAL TIME and get your confirmations immediately. Save time and money on your golf green fees and get cheap green fees, quickly and securely online with Tee Times For You, the experts in online Golf.
How much does it cost to join a golf club in Japan?
40 million yenThe average membership in a private golf club costs 40 million yen, or $258,065-not exactly pocket change for Japan`s hardworking middle class. And that reflects an 8 percent decline since the Tokyo Stock Market began its rapid descent in March.
Are golf clubs cheap in Japan?
Japanese golf clubs are expensive because of their manufacturing process and the elite status of golfers in Japan. In Japan, golf is still considered an elite sport. Many would argue that golf is also an elite sport in America.
How much is it to play a round of golf in Japan?
In past decades, golf was a fairly expensive and exlusive sport in Japan. However, these days a large majority of courses are open to the general public, and it is not uncommon to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 yen per person for an 18-hole round of golf, including lunch and golf cart, especially on regular weekdays.
Is golf a big deal in Japan?
But in Japan, where you can find half of all the golf courses in Asia, the industry is flagging. America still has the largest golf industry in the world, by a long shot. But in Japan's economic heyday in the 1980s, it built up thousands of courses and the game became baked into its business culture.
What is the cheapest country to play golf in?
Costa Rica is an ideal spot for the novice and advanced golfer. Not only are the conditions of the courses exceptional, but—compared to prices in the States—golf here is a bargain. Most green fees are well under $100, and if you live here, the rates can be even cheaper.
What does JDM mean in golf?
Japanese Domenstic MarketJDM. Never heard of it? Well, it stands for Japanese Domenstic Market and in golf the acronym has a cult following. The phrase conjures up images of master craftsman hand-shaving clubs, molten slabs of iron and of course, samurai swords.
Is it hard to play golf in Japan?
Golf in Japan is something you HAVE to experience. Yes, it is ritualized, and yes, it does take almost all day to play a round. However, you are left with an understanding of how wonderfully dedicated and perfectionistic Japanese golfing culture is, and how amazing the country and its fabulous golf courses are.
How much does it cost for a round of golf in Tokyo?
You can expect to pay 10,000 yen, or about 90 U.S. dollars, for a weekday round at a top-notch facility near Tokyo. That same club on a weekend will run you about double that price, and in some cases more.
How popular is golf in Japan?
In 2020, the number of people playing golf in Japan amounted to approximately 8.91 million. Figures during the past decade revolved around the nine million mark, pointing at a relatively stable player population.
How many public golf courses are in Japan?
As a country, Japan is home to the second most golf courses in the world. With around 2,350 golf courses across the nation, they're only outnumbered by the Golf Mecca that is the U.S.
Does Japan have more golf courses than the US?
According to the National Golf Foundation, Japan has 2,227 golf facilities (seven percent of the world's supply) for its 127 million people – or 57,000 people per course. The comparable U.S. numbers are 14,640 facilities (45 percent of world supply) for 330 million – or 22,540 people per course.
Is golf common in Japan?
Because while enthusiasm for golf persists in Japan, it is not 1988 anymore. Over the last 25 years, the number of golfers has decreased by nearly half, from more than 12 million to now around 6.5 million. The country's 2,500 golf courses of a generation ago, while likely overbuilt, have seen several hundred shuttered.
Playing Golf in Japan
Japan is known for many things but it also has quite a number of golf clubs, where a number of them cater to both foreigners who are newbies in the golf industry as well as more seasoned and experienced golf players.
Other Options
For tourists who would want to experience playing golf in Japan, some golf courses would also offer golf packages at a more affordable rate for ‘one-time’ tries or single courses. Mostly, in private high-end golf clubs, in order for you to play the sport, you have to be a member.
Summary
Indeed, playing golf in Japan can be considered as a one-of-a-kind experience.
How much does it cost to play golf in Japan?
But even as a visitor, playing golf in Japan is not cheap. The greens fee on weekends starts at about $70 at the less expensive country clubs and at others can reach $140.
Why are country clubs good investments?
Mamoru Nakajima, a Mitsui Bank branch manager who bought his membership 10 years ago for about $10,000, when, according to him, ''it was cheap,'' said one reason why country club memberships are good investments is that there is no tax on capital gains in Japan. 'A Status Symbol'.
Is there a room on the Japanese golf range?
No Room on the Range. Few of Japan's golf courses are public, so many golfers get litle chance to play. Shigeo Watanabe, with a Japanese trading company, has to resort to a driving range when he wants to hit a ball because he cannot afford a membership. Even the driving ranges are crowded.
How many golf courses are there in Japan?
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 ...
What is the best thing about Japan after golf?
After golf, one of the best things about the Japan golf experience is bathing in an onsen ( hot spring). There is nothing better for a tired body, and onsen are renowned for their healing properties. However, there are a few things to remember as far as etiquette is concerned.
What color tees are used in Japan?
In Japan, you will most likely be playing from the white tees. This is the regular tee, with the black or blue being competition or long tees, gold being senior, and pink or red being ladies. As you tee up, you will see a flag in the middle of the fairway about 230 yards from the whites.
Why are clubhouses so extravagant in Japan?
Most clubhouses in Japan are on the extravagant side in a nod to the 80s bubble economy, which saw the popularity of golf explode across the country - and with it extortionate membership fees.
How long do you have to break after nine holes in Japan?
No matter what time you teed off, you generally will break after nine holes for 40 minutes or so and eat lunch. Diehards, of course, can go to the range or the practise green, but what we say is "when in Nippon !". Golf in Japan has many intricacies and these should be enjoyed.
What is Japan known for?
Japan is renowned for its transportation, whether it's the always-punctual trains, endless local flight options (67 airports in all) and modern expressway road system, which ever you choose there is always a way to get you to your game on time!
Is golf a ritual in Japan?
Golf in Japan is something you HAVE to experience. Yes, it is ritualized, and yes, it does take almost all day to play a round. However, you are left with an understanding of how wonderfully dedicated and perfectionistic Japanese golfing culture is, and how amazing the country and its fabulous golf courses are.
Taiheiyo Club Karuizawa
Karuizawa is a stunning summer and winter retreat for wealthy Tokyoites and is only a one-hour shinkansen ride from Tokyo. Taiheiyo Karuizawa is the jewel in this beautiful town which houses an 85 room, newly refurbished hotel, 36 holes, 3 world-class restaurants (Japanese, Korean BBQ, Italian) and a wine bar.
Taiheiyo Club Takasaki
Takasaki city is part of Gunma prefecture which sits about 125km north-west of Tokyo. Takasaki is an authentically Japanese golf experience. It takes just over an hour from Tokyo station on either Shinkansen Asama 1 departing at 6:52 am or the Asama 3 departing at 7:24 am from Tokyo station.
Taiheiyo Club Mashiko PGA
The Mashiko course is in my top 5 courses under the Taiheiyo umbrella. The green fees are $82 USD without a caddy and $118 with a caddy (both include carts) and is amazing value for money. From Tokyo station take the Tohoku Hokkaido shinkansen which leaves at 7:12 am, arriving at Utsunomiya station at 8:08 am.
Real Time Green Fee Reservations & Golf Tee Times in Japan
We offer a choice of over 38 golfcourses spread out thru Japan.
Golf 5 Country Yokkaichi Course Mie
Although it appears to be a flat course at first glance, the fair-way has subtle undulations that affect each shot.
Karuizawa 72 Golf West Course Nagano
Not assisted by caddie, you can enjoy the game at a moderate price comfortable riding a cart equipped with a GPS Navigation system.
Kawana Hotel Golf Course - Oshima Course Shizouka
Kawana Hotel Golf Course has 2 golf courses, Oshima Course and Fuji Course.
Seta Golf Course Shiga
The course was created by renowned course design architect Seiichi Inoue and hosted many a fierce battle.
Which country has the largest golf industry?
America still has the largest golf industry in the world, by a long shot. But in Japan's economic heyday in the 1980s, it built up thousands of courses and the game became baked into its business culture. President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played golf in Florida in February. President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ...
How many holes does Trump play with Japan?
and Japan lately, as diplomacy between President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe often includes playing 18 holes together.
Is Musashigaoka a public course?
There's also a perception problem: It's seen as "your dad's" sport, leading to some trouble attracting younger golfers. The Musashigaoka Golf Course, about an hour outside Tokyo, has managed to stay successful in part because it's a public course instead of a membership-only private club.
Is golf an Olympic sport?
Golf is now back as an Olympic sport for the second time in the past 100 years — just in time for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Japanese golf courses are trying various tactics to keep from closing.
Is golf in Japan going away?
Those days are over. Golf participation in Japan — a measure of the number of people nationwide who play golf — has dropped by 40 percent since 1996, according to the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper. Private courses — which make up about 90 percent of Japan's courses — are starting to disappear. They require hefty membership and initiation fees.
Do you have to wear long socks to play in Japan?
Rules for timely play and behavior are tight. "There was a time in Japan when you had to have long socks to play. Men and women had to have long socks when they were playing on the course, if they were playing in shorts," says Takashi Yanaoka, president of the Musashigaoka course.
How many acres are there in the golf course at the PGA?
The championship course covers 265 acres and is seen as one of the most desirable golfing destinations in the world. The club’s mission is to maintain the golf course at a standard comparable to the best courses in the world and to cater to golfers from all corners of the globe. At that price, you'd expect nothing less.
How many layouts does the Thames Golf Course have?
Often touted as the best golf course in the country, the club has five layouts, two driving ranges and a reservoir which apparently "looks like the Thames in the summer".
Where is Yas Links Golf Course?
Yas Links – Abhu Dhabi: £22,310. The first links course in the Middle East Region, the club has a stunning backdrop of the Arubian Golf. Located on Yas Island, the multi-billion dollar project owned by the country’s foremost property investor, it neighbours a Formula 1 Grand Prix track and a Ferrari World theme park.