Playing golf is booming.

Golf courses that are mainly used outdoors, where the risk of coronavirus infection is relatively low, are very crowded with individual visitors.

There have been many cancellations of competitions of three or more groups, and of course it is not possible to hold parties after play. Golf competitions that were usually held within the company are now rarely held.

The bathrooms seem to be almost unusable. Only half-break, lunches are held at most golf courses, with masks worn in the restaurants.

While many cultural events, not to mention sporting events and live music concerts, have been cancelled, postponed, or held with limited numbers, golf seems to be enjoying an unusually strong boom.

I've been researching various golf courses and it seems that they don't accept applications for two people to play on weekends. In other words, they don't seem to be very welcoming. After all, it is inevitable that sales will increase if four people are allowed to play rather than two.

That's how bullish the golf courses seem to be in their policies.

Also, on weekends, all golf courses have a lot of customers, and it is very difficult to get tee times.

In addition, the golf courses themselves seem to be taking a waiting list by phone on weekends.

When I called some golf course, I was asked if I wanted to be on the waiting list and the order of the waiting list. It seems that the golf courses they have quite a waiting list.

On weekends, it seems that it is almost impossible to get tee times for bookings made a week or two in advance.

Bookings should be made a month or more in advance, but on weekdays, there is not enough golf population to fill all the golf courses, so it is possible to get tee times if you are relatively selective about the golf courses.

I'm not sure if it's because of the booming economy or not, but they seem to be very strict about cancellations.

If you cancel, you will have to pay a hefty cancellation fee. Of course, if it rains, you can't cancel.

The minimum etiquette is that once you have made a booking, you must play no matter what, including me.

The number of young people playing golf has been increasing, and the driving ranges in urban areas seem to be crowded even on weekdays. There is no doubt that the golf industry as a whole is booming, as figures showing the sales of golf equipment also seem to be rising.

If you go to the short hole of Karuizawa 72 West Course, you will find a wooden short tee.