How to play golf in Japan

There are a few things that are different about playing golf in Japan than in your home country. Some may surprise you, but as long as you know them beforehand, they are rarely a problem. Still, playing golf in Japan may be a little more challenging than playing golf in other countries.

Dress Code
I think that Japanese golf courses are a little stricter than those in your country.
In Japan, many golf courses require or recommend that jackets be worn when entering and exiting the course (except during the summer season).
You should check the dress code of each course in advance and make sure your guests understand it. On the strictest courses, you may be refused entry. Blazers or suits are required for all visitors. In July and August, jackets are not required but should be brought.

From Entry to Start

In Japan, the normal procedure is as follows.
When your car arrives, hand your golf bag to the golf course staff. The golf course staff will place your bag on the cart.
This is why it is important to have your golf bag and cover labeled with your name.
This is done by submitting the name of the golf bag and golf cover to the member table in advance.
The staff will load your bag onto the cart according to the membership list you submitted in advance.

When you enter the clubhouse, you must first write down your name and address at the reception desk.
Upon entering the clubhouse, you will first write down your name and address at the reception desk and receive a locker key (the scorecard holder).
All payments for purchases, meals, etc., on the golf course are made by signing in with your locker key number on a slip and paying at the end of the day. If you are staying at a hotel, you can pay at the end.
This is the same as when you check out of a hotel at the end of your stay.

Cash, wallets, etc., go to the Safety Box.
Hold up your scorecard holder, enter the available box number, and enter your PIN to use the box.

Go to the locker room, change into golf clothes and shoes, and lock your belongings in the locker.
To practice, pick up coins or practice balls from the practice ball machine in the master room (you will need your locker number) and walk to the driving range with a few clubs (you will not be carted around).
It is good manners to have everyone at the starting hole 10 minutes before the start.

Specialty Soba Noodles at Tsutsujigaoka-CC

There is a lunch break

Through play, which is the norm around the world, is not adopted at most golf courses in Japan. In Japan, a 45 minute lunch break is required between the Front 9 and Back 9.
When you return to the clubhouse, you are often given a note with the start time of your next half in the afternoon. The note should be left on the restaurant table and posted for restaurant staff to see.
Generally, the meal is about one hour, during which you can have lunch at the 2nd floor restaurant.
You are expected to be at the starting hole about 10 minutes before the afternoon start time.

The fee includes lunch, but you can order your favorite menu at the restaurant. Normally, if you order your favorite menu, you will be charged an additional lunch fee.

No Solo Players

In Japan, you cannot make a booking for a single player. A minimum of two people is required.
If there are two or three players, another player will join you and you will play in a group of four.
If there are two or three players, they must pay an additional fee such as a “2-back fee” or “3-back fee” to play in a group of two or three.
In addition, when there are two or three players, it is common to play in pairs or threesomes by paying an additional fee such as a “2-back fee” or “3-back fee” instead of playing in foursomes.
Most golf courses nowadays do not welcome 2 players.

How to use the golf cart in Japanese golf course?
In Japan, carts are generally automatic, remote-controlled carts with a capacity of four passengers plus a caddie, for a total of five passengers.
Most golf courses prohibit carts from being driven on roads other than those dedicated for carts. For safety reasons, golf courses may set the speed of carts slightly slower than usual, which can lead to complaints about slow carts.
In Japan, one caddie is assigned to every four golfers. Caddies work accurately and promptly.

For this purpose, a cart path, or a path along which the golf car automatically travels, is created at each hole.
To do so, the car starts running by pressing the start button and stops when the button is pressed again.
There is also a remote control device that is operated from a distance when no one is on the cart. This is carried mainly by the leader, who holds it in his pocket or on a band.

In addition, golf cars are equipped with navigation systems that allow golfers to check the distance of the group in front of them before making their shots. Please allow plenty of space between shots.

Kawana Hotel

A local rule unique to Japan called Forward 4 or Front 4.
If the tee shot is OB (Out of Bounds), please take the shot at playing 4 from the special tee in front.
If your tee shot is OB, you hit your fourth shot from a special drop area (usually a yellow tee) 200 to 250 yards away without a re-hit. We call this a playing 4-point.
This is a local rule that is common practice in Japan to prevent slow play due to re-strokes. Especially when the following pair is waiting for you.
If you hit the out-of-bounds shot again as usual, especially when the following group is waiting for you, you will receive a complaint. You may be warned by the course staff.

Two Greens and Yardage Notation
In Japan, many courses have two greens per hole, so you need to confirm which green you will be using before the start of the day. You will need to confirm which green you will be using before the start of the day. The yardage is shown to the pin, to the center of the green, or the front of the green, depending on the golf course, so it is necessary to confirm the yardage in advance.
Although there is no confusion when it comes to numbers, there are some yardage markings that can be confusing if you do not know in advance, such as “50 yards for one line, 100 yards for two lines,” or “100 yards for red, 150 yards for white, 200 yards for blue,” etc.

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