how popular is golf in japan?

Golf (ゴルフ) is a popular sport in Japan. A large variety of courses for golfers of every budget and skill level can be found across all regions of Japan, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji

, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa and Okinawa, where they offer beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.

Full Answer

What are the most popular sports in Japan?

It may come as a surprise to some, but golf is one of the most popular sports 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. In fact, half of the golf courses in the whole of Asia are in Japan.

Is Japan's Golf popularity declining?

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.

What is the best golf course in Japan?

Golf Golf (ゴルフ) is a popular sport in Japan. A large variety of courses to fit golfers of every budget and skill level can be found across all regions of Japan, with some of the best located around famous resort areas such as Mount Fuji, the Izu Peninsula, Karuizawa and Miyazaki, where they offer beautiful mountain views or coastal scenery.

What is the history of golf in Japan?

Golf in japan was introduced in 1903 by a group of British Expats. They established the first golf course at Kobe. In 1913 a group of native Japanese people who had encountered golf in the United States established the Tokyo golf club at Komazawa. By 1924, seven clubs were in existence, and the Japan Golf Association was established.

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.

Is golf common in Japan?

Yes, Japan is a country that takes golf very seriously, with more than 10 million active golfers, second only to the United States. Japanese golfers have access to close to 2,500 golf courses in their country, and they spend billions of dollars a year on equipment.

Does Japan like golf?

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.

Is golf expensive 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. In addition, there are caddy fees, meals and transportation costs to and from the country clubs, many of which are several hours from major cities.

Is golf gaining or losing popularity?

Golf surged in popularity in 2020 by nearly every metric, as people sought out the socially distanced outdoor activity amid the pandemic. More than 24.8 million people played golf in the U.S. in 2020, up more than 2% year-over-year and the largest net increase in 17 years, according to the National Golf Foundation.

How much does a round of golf cost in Tokyo?

While prices vary massively, for playing golf in Tokyo, you should expect to pay between 15,000 yen – 20,000 yen on a weekend and 8,000 yen – 12,000 yen on a weekday.

What is the average cost 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.

How much does it cost to play golf in Japan in US dollars?

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.

Is golf popular in China?

In 2011, there were around 358,000 core players (aged over 18 and play more than 8 rounds a year) among the Chinese population, with a growth rate of 7.5%, and that figure was projected to grow to about 20 million by 2020.

Why is golf in Japan so expensive?

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.

Is golf popular in Asia?

There are billions of golf tourist dollars up for grabs, and Asian golf is getting more popular every year.

Does Japan have country clubs?

Koganei Country Club, Kodaira Arguably the most exclusive country club in Japan. Membership is very restrictive. So much, that a man once offered over $3,000,000 for membership, and even at that price, no one would give up their spot.

How much is an average 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.

How popular is golf in Asia?

As it now stands, the projected number of golfers in Asia hovers at around 13 to 14 million (with Japan having the most golfers).

How many golf courses are in Japan?

There are more golf courses in Japan than the rest of Asia put together. With nearly 2,500 courses (and many more driving ranges), the Japanese are serious golf lovers and they have built some of the world's finest courses.

How much is a golf membership in Japan?

The 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.

When was golf invented in Japan?

Golf in Japan dates back as far as the early 1900’s when it is said that a group of British ex-pats established the game of golf at The Kobe Golf Club in Japan.

Who was the first Japanese golfer?

Matsuyama was the first Japanese player (and first Asian) to win a World Golf Championships event and right now, the game is considered to be one of the most popular sports in the country.

Did Matsuyama win the US Masters?

Matsuyama’s win at The US Masters looks set to spark a golf boom in Japan which could see more and more PGA golfers winning on both the US and European tours.

How much golf has dropped in Japan?

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.

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.

When did the Japanese economy go bust?

The deposit was supposed to be returned after a decade. But when the Japanese economy went bust after 1989, many private golf courses were unable to honor their commitment. Since then, dozens of courses have been bought out; others have been redeveloped, and some have closed down entirely.

Does Japan have golf courses?

Japan Has Half Of Asia's Golf Courses, But The Game's Popularity There Is Flagging : Parallels In the 1980s, Japan built thousands of golf courses and the game became baked into its business culture. Those days are over. Golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40 percent since 1996.

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.

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 DIFFERENT ON A JAPANESE GOLF COURSE?

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. This indicates a good position for the next shot and also acts as a guide. Usually, when the next group passes the flag it is generally OK to play away. If you're a long hitter though, it's better to hang on another minute or two.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO A GOLF COURSE IN JAPAN?

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 , whichever you choose there is always a way to get you to your game on time!

WHAT IS A JAPANESE CLUBHOUSE LIKE?

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.

WHAT ARE ONSEN (HOT SPRINGS) 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 is the most expensive season to play golf in Japan?

Also, season plays a key part, with spring and fall commanding the most expensive tee times. Japanese golfers love to play when Hanami (cherry blossom), Shinryoku (new green season) and Kouyou (autumn foliage) seasons are peaking. Winter and summer see the courses a lot quieter and this creates a perfect chance for a visiting golfer to experience Japanese golf at a fantastic value.

What drives people bonkers when they play in Japan?

Something that drives everyone bonkers when they play in Japan is the pitch marks , or should I say, lack of pitch repairing that seems to be going on. All Japanese golfers that we have played with seem to fix their pitch marks. But there are a lot of older golfers who back in the day (when a caddy was required) got used to having it done for them, and, as sad as it is, do not repair, so you will see pitch marks on the green.