ASEAN NOW Golf

Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Holes / Par / Yardage: 18 holes par 72, 6,335 yards

Established: 2005

Location: Calamba, Laguna, Philippines

Distance: 70kms South of Manila 2.15hrs

Description:

It occupies one of the most picturesque sites in the country,  and is set at the foot of the majestic Mount Makiling, with windy fairways, low hillsides, deep ravines, numerous trees, varied bunkers, and some small downhill slopes. These known golf hazards can provide a challenge for all level of players and are strategically placed throughout the fairways.

Phone: Tel. (63-49) 833-3333

Website: www.ayalalandpremier.com

Designer: Jack Nicklaus

Holes / Par / Yardage: 18- hole par 72, 6,950-yard,

Established: 1981

Location: Alabang, Philippines

Distance: 36kms from Manila

Description: One of the premier golf clubs in the Metro Manila area, designed by the Golden Bear himself. Founded back in 1981, this Club has a total land area of 74 hectares that includes a par 72, 6,950 yard 18-hole golf course.

Phone: (632) 8842 3530

Website: https://acci.com.ph

Many of us have experienced Asian golf course especially in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and even Cambodia, however Philippines has remained mainly off the radar for many so far.

 

The country is made up of over 7,000 islands but the main three regions are called Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 

Of course, there are other course on the other island, however we have listed what we think are the two most popular destinations best regions being Manila and Clark, in Luzon.

 

A Long History for Golf Here

 

Golf seems to be very popular in the country, and it all started quite a long time ago – apparently supposedly brought over by the British men who worked for the Manila Railway Company, similar to the Scottish railroad workers in Thailand

Apparently with ample time on their hands and a surplus of caddies available to haul one’s clubs and the occasional beer, the Brits built a 3-hole course somewhere in the paddy fields around Intramuros, now in the centre of the capital city. 

 

Interamuros GC in the city of Manila

 

The sport became popular enough that by 1901, a 9-hole course was built next to the railway station in Caloocan. 

Now there are in fact around 111 Golf Courses in the Philippines, many around Manila and spread out throughout 5,000 of those islands.

 

The country’s main golfing areas popular with golf tourists are Manila, plus Clark/Angeles City, which is about two hours’ drive north from the country’s main international airport. Some limited flights also arrive at Clark Airport.

 

What are the Courses Like?

 

Golfers, especially those new to the country, are always impressed with the course standards,

If you like your courses with lush greens with incredible vistas, then the Philippines is your tropical paradise, with the combination of the balmy tropical weather and unique views that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

 

You will find several different types of golf courses offering every challenge in this region. You can experience courses offering mountain to beach layouts with scenic views of beautiful valley’s, skylines, coastlines even in extinct volcanoes. 

 

In 2019 apparently 1.5 percent of the 7.1 million tourists who flocked to the country came for recreational or competitive golf. So, the courses are not too busy especially during the weekdays.

 

Add to this beautiful white sandy beaches, first class hotels, wonderful cuisine, and great shopping, and taking a golf vacation in the Philippines should be added to your holiday list.

 

The Region. 

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines and is also the economic and political center of the Philippines, and home to the nation’s capital the City of Manila.

 

The economic capital of Luzon is Metro Manila. Several major companies are based in a number of business districts in Makati, Ortigas Center, and Bonifacio Global City, while the rural sector can be found majority of it in the rest of Luzon. 

 

Luzon is a combination of towering mountains, extinct and active volcanoes, lush, verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbors. It is one of the leading growth regions in the Philippines, strategically located at the heart of Asia. 

 

Central Luzon is described as a flat terrain and vast plains. This part of Luzon is the major producer of rice in the country and is called as the rice granary of the Philippines. It is also home to Manila their capital.

 

Luzon’s main golfing areas are Manila, plus Clark/Angeles City, which is about two hours’ drive north from the country’s main international airport. Some limited flights also arrive at Clark Airport.

 

Weather wise the ideal time to check out this area especially if you plan to take in some golf would be from January until April and November and December, when you will have a warm or hot temperature and limited mediocre rainfall.

 

Clark Sunvalley GC

 

We welcome your own reviews and opinions plus photos about a course you have recently played. Just add your comments next to the courses directory entry. If you feel we have missed a particular course that would appeal to golf vacationers do send us an email to [email protected] 

 

We will be adding courses in other regions shortly.

Thaivisa Launches New SE Asia Golf Directory.docx

 

It was a final day unlike any other in Singapore for the HSBC Women’s World Championship. Eleven of the top-12 players heading into Sunday were already LPGA Tour winners, with 60 victories between them and 17 major championship titles. Among them, five shots out of the 54-hole lead, was Hyo Joo Kim. Kim was looking to improve upon a third-round that featured six birdies, six pars and six bogeys.

 

“Those six bogeys I made were short putts missed. Usually I'm very confident with my putter. So I just tried to focus when I needed to make the short putts, and I think that it's concentration that makes the difference,” said Kim through a translator. It certainly was the difference for the 25-year-old on Sunday, as she recorded her lowest 18 holes since the 2019 Amundi Evian Championship with a bogey-free 64 to earn the fourth title of her LPGA Tour career and first since 2016.

 

Kim carded four birdies in the last five holes of her front nine to make the turn at -13, putting her right in contention with the likes of major champions Hannah Green and Inbee Park, who were a few holes behind in the final grouping. Kim continued to capitalize in her back nine, making birdies on Nos. 11, 12, 14 and 15, and then awaited the final groups as she sat on the clubhouse lead at -17.

 

Green, sitting two strokes back of Kim’s lead heading into the 14th hole, holed out to make her second eagle of the week and then birdied No. 16 to take a one-shot lead. But, a disastrous end brought the Australian back down to Earth as she bogeyed her final two holes and played herself out of her third-career win.

 

“I didn't really feel like I was in it until I holed the shot on 14. That was a nice way to get my momentum. Made a really good putt on 16 to make birdie, but obviously pretty disappointed to have two 3-putts finishing. Felt a little nerves on the last, which is nice, because I guess having the spectators out there it kind of meant something to me,” said Green, who ultimately finished in solo second at -16. “So I'm obviously very close, so I just hope that I can continue this momentum and who knows, have a good result next week.”

 

Kim watched on a tv in the players’ lounge as she realized she won, and was then thoroughly sprayed with a champagne shower by friends. “My goal this year was to get a win, and I'm glad I already achieved that,” said Kim. “While I was playing on the KLPGA Tour last year, I honed my skills and wanted to adapt them to this year on the LPGA, and I'm very happy that these results came out.”

 

Patty Tavatanakit, who fired a final-round 65, along with Inbee Park and Xiyu Lin finished in a tie for third at -15. So Yeon Ryu’s second-straight 70 was enough for a sixth-place finish at -12, with Carlota Ciganda, In Gee Chun, Lydia Ko and Gaby Lopez rounding out the top-10 in a tie for seventh at -11. Defending champion Sung Hyun Park finished the event in a tie for 57th at +5.

 

HYO JOO KIM WITH SECOND GOAL IN MIND: THE TOKYO OLYMPICS

 

Though Hyo Joo Kim did not play on the LPGA Tour in 2020, the grind didn’t stop for the now four-time winner and major champion. Kim played on the Korean LPGA Tour, competing in 14 events and earning two victories and an additional six top-10 finishes by the year’s end. Kim, who also led the KLPGA in season earnings in 2020, then returned to the states, making her debut back on Tour at the 2021 Kia Classic and finished T5. Kim said she believes the work and achievements from the past year contributed to her strong play at the start of her LPGA Tour season and at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

 

“Last year playing at the KLPGA Tour definitely helped me this year. I worked out and did exercise a lot and that definitely helped me with distance, driving distance. It was very helpful.”

 

Though her initial 2021 goal was to win on the Tour again, Kim now has set her sights on a goal on a grander stage – the Tokyo Olympics. Currently No. 9 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, Kim is in prime position to represent the Republic of Korea in the Olympic Games this August. The 25-year-old said it wasn’t on her radar as much until her fans encouraged her to work towards making the team, and now she’s hoping her win sets her up for a spot in Tokyo.

 

“I played at a couple of international tournaments as a Korean representative for like the junior Cups, so it means a lot to me that I would feel very proud and responsible with the Korean flag on my side and I think it will give a huge impact on not only my golf life but my life in general,” said Kim.

 

 

Bunker Boys Golf Report for week commencing Monday April 26th

 

Monday, April 26th

 

St Andrews. White tees

1st Les Cobban (7) 38 points

2nd Geoff Atwell (22) 33 points

3rd Dave Ashman (26) 32 points

 

Near pins Steve Durey, Les Cobban, & Michael Brett.

 

Having been closed for about eighteen months for resurfacing of the fairways and greens, St Andrews reopened for play on the seventeenth of this month. A special all-in offer of seventeen hundred baht was the price to be paid to experience the changes that had been made. This price included two vouchers of one hundred baht each, one to be used in the course drinks stations and the other in the clubhouse, altogether, not a bad deal.

 

The fairways were excellent, lush green and well grassed, the greens looked very slick but unfortunately were not, whilst they ran true they were deceptively slow, some of the bunkers needed a bit of attention and the rough was very variable, well-trimmed in places but in need of mowing in others. This is a very challenging course where good play is rewarded but poor options are punished severely.

 

The weather was overcast to start with and after a few holes, the rain came down heavily accompanied by thunder and lightning forcing a thirty-minute break, thereafter it was fine and finished nice and sunny.

 

There is a degree of monotony in announcing Les Cobban as the winner every time he plays which was the case again today with an excellent score of thirty-eight points of a seven handicap, his good run of form just keeps rolling along. Most people have a purple patch that eventually ends, but it seems that does not apply to Les. A big gap of five points to second-placed Geoff Atwell, Geoff is now a regular in the winner's circle so his handicap should come down very soon. Third place went to Dave Ashman with thirty-two points of a handicap of twenty-six, surely a mistake for a player of his ability. Near pins went to Les Cobban, Steve Durey, and Michael Brett. All three were in the last group but all their near pins were legit.

 

Wednesday, April 28th

 

Plutaluang East & South

1st Jimmy Carr (17) 37 points

2nd Gerry Cooney (20) 34 points

3rd Geoff Parker (20) 33 points

 

Near pins Jimmy Carr, Michael Brett, & Geoff Parker X 2.

 

After a few month's absence, the Bunker Boys made a return to Plutaluang where we chose to play the East & South nines. The course was in the best condition we have seen it for some time following recent heavy rain. An all-in fee of one thousand baht or five hundred walking was excellent value.

 

Light rain fell for much of the front nine, just a drizzle really, never enough to prevent play, and thankfully no thunder or lightning. The pick, clean, and place rule was implemented from the start. The lead group was motoring along at a good pace for the first few holes when suddenly they ran up against the scourge of Thai golf, the slow six-ball, for the rest of the front nine play was slow and noisy, fortunately, this group decided to take a break mid-round allowing us to play through and return to a more respectable pace of play.

 

Showing some very up and down form recently Jimmy Carr had another up day today and took first place with thirty-seven points. Gerry Cooney took second with thirty-four and Geoff Parker rounded out the scoring on thirty-three, Geoff also snagged two near pins with one each going to Jimmy Carr and Michael Brett.

 

Friday, April 30th

 

Khao Kheow A & C

1st Moe Holmes (36) 37 points

2nd Steve Durey (20) 34 points

3rd Geoff Cox (18) 32 points

4th Jay Babin (22) 30 points

 

Near pins Moe Holmes, Bob Paine, Steve Durey.

 

The last game of April and possibly for the present time was played at the Khao Kheow course where we were allocated the A & C nines. As always the course was in fine condition albeit a little soft underfoot. Following recent rains the water catchments were full, something we haven't seen for some time. An all-in fee of eleven hundred baht was good value for such a nice course.

 

From the outset, the skies were grey, heavy, and threatening, and shortly after the start of play, the rain came down in a drizzle. By the time we reached the ninth, it started bucketing down. Luckily some of our group were able to take good shelter at the kiosk near the ninth hole. After a delay of around one hour, we were able to resume play under somewhat more difficult conditions. By this time fairways were sodden, and greens much slower. A couple decided they had had enough and retired to the comfort of the clubhouse.

 

Despite the difficulties, Moe Holmes in only his second week with the Bunker Boys took first place with a very respectable score of thirty-seven points. It was two-point intervals thereafter with Steve Durey taking second with thirty-four, Geoff Cox third on thirty-two, and Jay Babin fourth on thirty points. Three near pins were taken going to Moe Holmes, Bob Paine, and Steve Durey.

 

In the race for the golfer of the month, Michael Brett lead from day one and had a nine-point lead going into the last week, however, he was unable to add to his score and only just managed to hold off a fast finishing Jimmy Carr. Jimmy was cruising with eighteen points on the front nine and looked to have his hands on the prize, unfortunately, he suffered a total collapse on the back nine and surrendered the prize. A long time between drinks for the winner as his last win was some seven months ago.

 

The future of golf in Pattaya remains uncertain as more and more restrictions come into place following a surge in COVID infections. Golf hasn't been specifically earmarked for closure at this stage, however, groups of no more than twenty are not allowed which would not apply to most golf societies, we remain hopeful if not optimistic that we can continue to play.

 

Les Cobban had a super round at St Andrew's.

 

Michael Brett Golfer of the Month

 

Now is the perfect time to write your biography...It may not be a best seller but it would be interesting if you let family and friends into your crazy world on this planet. Researching is fun and you can even publish it on Amazon too.

 

The European Tour and Callaway Golf Europe challenged Marcus Armitage to break the Guinness World Record for ‘Farthest Golf Shot Caught in a Moving Car’.

 

Armed with his new Callaway EPIC driver, and with 273 yards to beat, can Marcus and BMW Touring Car driver Paul O’Neill do it? Watch and see

 

Singapore: Top tier international golf makes a welcome return to Southeast Asia this week with the 13th edition of the HSBC Women’s World Championship getting underway on Thursday.

 

A total of 69 players representing 18 nations will vie for one of the most coveted golf titles in Asia over the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Facility member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

 

“We’re delighted to welcome the HSBC Women’s World Championship back to Singapore. Not only is this one of the standout golf events in Asia, it also marks an important return for elite golf to the region,” said Grant Slack, EVP and Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, the tournament promoters.

 

“As always, the championship has an incredibly strong field and I have no doubt that the players will put on another spectacular show for us. We’re set for a fantastic week of competition and we look forward to crowning the 2021 champion on Sunday.” 

 

With limited on-site spectator access due to Covid safety restrictions, fans can catch the action as it unfolds on television in Singapore and around the world. A live telecast produced by Asian Tour Media will be broadcast across 160 countries.

 

World number one Ko Jin-young, a two-time Major winner, headlines a field that also includes fellow-Korean and world number two Park In-bee, seven-time Major champion, Olympic gold medallist and twice a winner in Singapore.

 

Also in the starting line-up are defending champion Park Sung-hyun of Korea and American Angela Stanford who claimed the trophy in 2012.

 

Other competitors ranked in the world’s top-10 are American Danielle Kang (fifth), New Zealander Lydia Ko, whose win in Hawaii last week propelled her to seventh, Korean Kim Hyo-joo (ninth) and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (10th).

 

Making her Singapore debut is ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit. The 21-year-old Thai has received a sponsor exemption after winning the first Major championship of the year in her rookie year on Tour. She is joined by four other Thais – Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Jasmine Suwannapura and PornanongPhatlum.

 

Another player making her debut is Germany’s Sophia Popov. The 28-year-old won the AIG Women’s British Open last August. Ranked 304th in the world at the start of the tournament and having overcome illness and the loss of a full Tour card, Popov claimed a two-shot victory at Royal Troon.

 

The tour will then move onto Pattaya next week to the Siam Country Club Old Course.

 

 

Singapore: Top tier international golf makes a welcome return to Southeast Asia this week with the 13th edition of the HSBC Women’s World Championship getting underway on Thursday.

 

A total of 69 players representing 18 nations will vie for one of the most coveted golf titles in Asia over the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, a Facility member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

 

“We’re delighted to welcome the HSBC Women’s World Championship back to Singapore. Not only is this one of the standout golf events in Asia, it also marks an important return for elite golf to the region,” said Grant Slack, EVP and Managing Director, Golf Events, IMG, the tournament promoters.

 

“As always, the championship has an incredibly strong field and I have no doubt that the players will put on another spectacular show for us. We’re set for a fantastic week of competition and we look forward to crowning the 2021 champion on Sunday.” 

 

With limited on-site spectator access due to Covid safety restrictions, fans can catch the action as it unfolds on television in Singapore and around the world. A live telecast produced by Asian Tour Media will be broadcast across 160 countries.

 

World number one Ko Jin-young, a two-time Major winner, headlines a field that also includes fellow-Korean and world number two Park In-bee, seven-time Major champion, Olympic gold medallist and twice a winner in Singapore.

 

Also in the starting line-up are defending champion Park Sung-hyun of Korea and American Angela Stanford who claimed the trophy in 2012.

 

Other competitors ranked in the world’s top-10 are American Danielle Kang (fifth), New Zealander Lydia Ko, whose win in Hawaii last week propelled her to seventh, Korean Kim Hyo-joo (ninth) and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka (10th).

 

Making her Singapore debut is ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit. The 21-year-old Thai has received a sponsor exemption after winning the first Major championship of the year in her rookie year on Tour. She is joined by four other Thais – Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Jasmine Suwannapura and PornanongPhatlum.

 

Another player making her debut is Germany’s Sophia Popov. The 28-year-old won the AIG Women’s British Open last August. Ranked 304th in the world at the start of the tournament and having overcome illness and the loss of a full Tour card, Popov claimed a two-shot victory at Royal Troon.

 

The tour will then move onto Pattaya next week to the Siam Country Club Old Course.

 

Every day different provinces across Thailand are going and making their own lockdown rules regarding Covid 19.

Therefore it is exceedingly difficult to get a clear picture and keep you all up to date.

We know that the majority of courses in Chonburi are still open, but as this can change daily.

Therefore if any of you golfers out there get any information re closures at golf clubs anywhere in Thailand, then do please let us know by making a post or comment here on our Golf in Thailand forum.

 

Dear Golfers,

We are experiencing the toughest time of the third  wave of covit-19 in Thailand 

Burapha would like to help out by offering a special package price to our golfers.

Starting 

Monday April 26 through June 30,2021

Weekend 1,750 baht

Weekday 1,550 baht

After 12:00pm (any day) 1,100 baht.

All inclusive of Greenfee caddy and cart.

Burapha 

The management

 

 

 

Bunker Boys Golf Report for week commencing Monday April 19th

 

Monday, April 19th

 

Greenwood B & A. Medal

1st Geoff Atwell (23) Net 72

2nd Geoff Cox (18) Net 76

3rd Jimmy Carr (18) Net 76

 

Near pins Geoff Atwell, Peter Kelly, Steve Durey, & Michael Brett.

 

The monthly medal round was played at the Greenwood course where we were allocated the B & A nines. As ever the course was in beautiful condition, lush green, perhaps a little wet underfoot as we have had significant rain recently. The greens were a bit inconsistent with the A nine much faster than the B, also the bunkers were variable, some with soft fluffy sand while others were wet and compacted

The weather threatened to undo us on the front nine with light rain falling and thunder and lightning all around, luckily it blew away and we finished the game in pleasant conditions.

 

Medal is a format that screws with some people's heads, one bad hole can ruin a round, unlike Stableford where there is always a way to recover. Scores today were very poor with only Geoff Atwell with a net seventy-two making a go of it. Geoff Cox and Jimmy Carr were tied on net seventy-six in second and third in that order. All the near pins were taken with one each going to Steve Durey, Geoff Atwell, Peter Kelly, and Michael Brett. Our Wednesday game had to be transferred to Bangpra as the Barcelona Valley complex has been closed for two days for disinfection as a result of the latest COVID numbers, a precautionary measure which most would applaud.

 

Wednesday, April 21st

 

Bangpra.

1st Michael Brett (15) 35 points

2nd Jimmy Carr (18) 34 points

3rd Geoff Cox (18) 32 points

 

Near pins Jimmy Carr, & Gerry Cooney X 2.

 

Bangpra was a decent substitute for our scheduled game at Greenvalley today with the course in good condition and an all-in fee of twelve hundred baht using PSC vouchers good value. Despite another society being out before us, the pace of play was acceptable and a finish time of three o clock was achieved.

Today was our first day for some time without any rain, it was bright and sunny and extremely hot for a while, the fatigue effect was minimized to a large extent as everyone had a cart.

 

A field of only ten with several locals missing either through injury or illness. Barry Murnin has a mysterious back injury, and we are unsure if Roger is still on the throne or not after a serious bout of Deli belly. Bob Innes is back in his native Scotland and a few others are reduced to two games per week.

 

Geoff Cox had a poor front nine but recovered well assisted by a four-point birdie to take third place with thirty-two points, (eighteen on the back).  Jimmy Carr started in great shape with twenty points on the front nine and looked like blowing everybody away but stumbled on the back to take second place with thirty-four. With a freakish bunker shot on the eighteenth that almost went in for a birdie and stopped an inch from the hole, Michael Brett snuck through to take first place with thirty-five. Jimmy had some consolation with a near pin, Gerry Cooney got two and one unclaimed 

 

Friday, April 23rd

 

Emerald

1st Jimmy Carr (18) 36 points

2nd Michael Brett (15) 33 points

3rd Dave Ashman (25) 32 points

 

Near pins Geoff Parker, Tony Robbins & Michael Brett.

 

The Emerald course was in excellent condition for today's game, with lush green fairways, and tidy bunkers, but the greens were deceptively slow compared to how they looked and some of the pin placements were simply evil, in just about the most difficult positions the greenkeeper could find.

 

The weather was threatening all day, overcast and humid, however, the rain luckily stayed away. Having been rained on several times lately it was nice to get through dry. Despite all the rain lately, the water catchments were very low for some reason. With the benefit of hindsight, we should perhaps have played pick, clean, and place as there were several plugged balls.

 

The only one to master the course was Jimmy Carr who took first place with thirty-six points, no second nine collapse today. This is the third time this week that Jimmy has appeared in the winner's circle, is he about to go on one of his extended runs of good form?. Second-placed Michael Brett had a shocker on the front nine with only twelve points but turned it around on the back with twenty-one to take second on thirty-three, one ahead of third-placed Dave Ashman. Three near pins were claimed with one each to Tony Robbins, Geoff Parker, and Michael Brett.

 

Geoff Atwell, medal winner at Greenwood

 

Jimmy Carr winner at Emerald.

 

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Bunker Boys Golf Report for week commencing Monday April 12th

 

Monday, April 12th

 

Pattana Resort & Country Club B & C.

1st Jay Babin (23) 38 points

2nd Geoff Parker (19) 32 points

3rd Michael Brett (15) 30 points

 

Near pins Jimmy Carr, & Kevin LeBar X 2.

 

After a weekend of flooding rain in Pattaya, it looked like we might get some more of the same today at Pattana. The skies were grey and heavy, thunder rumbled in the distance from whence the wind was blowing and there were also flashes of lightning. In a  situation never before encountered by many we had to take shelter for about forty minutes, not from the rain but the lightning.

 

The course was wet as expected so the pick, clean, and place rule was applied. The wind blew quite strong at times adding to the difficulty. As a result, scoring was very poor apart from the winner Jay Babin who seems to be in the winner's circle every time he plays lately. Today Jay won with daylight to second-placed Geoff Parker. Michael Brett took third on countback from Kevin LeBar. Kevin started off in great form but faded on the back nine, he still managed to bag a brace of near pins with Jimmy taking the third with one unclaimed.

 

Wednesday, April 14th

 

Pleasant Valley

1st Mashi Kaneta (16) 35 points

2nd Michael Brett (15) 32 points

3rd Peter Kelly (12) 30 points

 

Near pins Geoff Parker, Mashi Kaneta, Tony Robbins, & Michael Brett.

 

After a long absence, we made a return to Pleasant Valley today. As always the course was a verdant green, the fairways were excellent, the greens slightly slow and the bunkers were in need of a bit of attention. Being a holiday the course was busy, in fact, it was the busiest we have seen any course since the onset of COVID, several large groups were everywhere which seems to be a feature of this course, still, we didn't see a ten-ball as in the past but it wouldn't surprise if there was one somewhere on the course.

 

The weather was again overcast, in fact, we go a bit of everything today, wind, thunder, lightning, even a few drops of rain. Luckily we managed to stay dry despite the rain being less than a kilometer away, only a few drops fell on the course.

 

Scoring was modest at best, Club Champion Mashi Kaneta making a rare appearance at the Bunker Boys took first place with a score of thirty-five and could have done better. Someone who should have done much better was second-placed Michael Brett with a bit better course management, a very mixed round with thirty-two points. Peter Kelly took third with thirty points. All the near pins were taken with one each to Geoff Parker, Mashi Kaneta, Tony Robbins & Michael Brett.

 

Friday, April 16th

 

Mountain Shadow ( Blue tees)

1st Les Cobban (7) 32 points

2nd Michael Brett (15) 31 points

3rd Roger Awad (19) 27 points

 

Near pins Geoff Parker, Roger Awad, Les Cobban, & Michael Brett.

 

Mountain Shadow was the venue for the last game of the week and was very well priced given it was a holiday week with a green/caddie fee of eight hundred and fifty baht walking. The course was in nice condition apart from the bunkers which were in need of attention, lately, it seems most courses are neglecting bunkers which is odd given they are very cheap to maintain, just simply rake them.

 

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and we were hoping for the same today, alas it was not to be. After threatening for most of the front nine the rain finally came down heavily on the ninth hole, not a torrential monsoonal downpour but heavy enough to stop play for over half an hour, we thought we may have escaped as the rain curiously came from the direction to which the wind was blowing.

 

Mountain Shadow is a difficult course at the best of times and demands good course management something that was lacking today and this was reflected in the low scores returned. For today's winner Les Cobban the caravan keeps rolling along with a winning score of thirty-two off a seven handicap, not too shabby under the circumstances, one ahead of second-placed Michael Brett. A gap to third place with Roger Awad on twenty-seven, Roger did fine on the front nine but faded on the back and went home to bed directly after the game. Roger did snare a near pin with Geoff Parker, Les Cobban & Michael Brett taking the other three. After the round, all the talk was about whether or not we would be faced with our third lockdown, at this stage it seems not but that could change at any time if infection numbers don't come down.

 

Jay Babin winner at Pattavia

 

Mashi Kaneta winner at Pleasant Valley

 

Golf in Japan is as unique as the country itself, and for locals it is often seen as a status symbol as to which club you are a member.

 

Another reason for its popularity, is the fact that many businesses encourage staff to become members, as it is seen as an excellent means to do business especially with overseas customers.

 

There are over 6,852 islands across Japan including the four main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kyushu. 

There are also over 2,349 courses in Japan, varying from some revered top 100 courses to riverside pitch and putt. In fact, after the USA Japan is ranked 2nd in the world by the number of its courses.

 

Although high membership rates and the pandemic has seen a decline in the number of rounds played, with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama ‘s recent win at the Masters, golf is expected to have a massive boost across the country.

 

The below information is aimed at newcomers to Japan and attempts to cover the basic questions on teeing it up in Asia's best kept golfing secret!

 

Booking

Booking a tee time in any non-English speaking country can be a challenge, but it is getting much easier here in Japan. 

 

Most hotels will be able to book a round for you, but if it is short notice then probably midweek and courses outside of Tokyo or the other larger cities is your best option. 

 

There are both large and bespoke tour operators in Japan, but they will only deal with a handful of courses, however, could be the best option if you do not fancy doing it yourself.

 

English booking
There are not so many golf courses in Japan that can accept bookings in English directly, the market here is almost 100% domestic customers only. 

 

Cost

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. 

 

This might seem a bit pricey compared to your local course back home, but this usually includes, cart, lunch, and ofuro (bath or onsen) as well.

 

However, if you are prepared to travel further from the larger city’s prices can be significantly lower. 

 

Also, season plays a key part, spring and fall will command the most expensive tee times as Japanese golfers love to play when Hanami (cherry blossom) and Shinryoku (new green season) and Kouyou (autumn foliage) seasons are peaking. 

Winter and summer see the courses a lot quieter and this makes a perfect chance for a visiting golfer to experience Japan golf at a fantastic price.

 

Transportation

Japan is renowned for its transportation, whether it's the always-on-time trains, endless local flight options (67 airports in all) and expressway road system, whichever you choose there is always a way to get you to your game on time!

 

By Train
The train system in Japan is immense and impeccably reliable, all major cities have extensive local train systems and intercity travel is made easy and enjoyable with the indomitable Shinkansen. Depending on where you are traveling from the expense will vary and do keep in mind reserved seating can be costly, slower regular trains are also an option, but they are busier and have a lot of stops. 

 

Dragging your clubs on the train? Do not!
It is popular to take the train and ship your clubs via Takubin. This service is super convenient and extremely easy to set up. The Yamato transport company who operate the service have it down to a fine art, they have an English website here. Just remember you need to allow two days if shipping your clubs within Japan to any course within Japan, and the same for the return journey.

 

Arriving at the Club

Most clubhouses in Japan are on the extravagant side, a salute to the bubble economy which saw a golf explosion in Japan and with it hugely, exuberant membership fees.

 

When you arrive at the clubhouse there will always be a few staff ready to take your bags and give a warm welcome. Make sure to take what you need from your golf bag, as it will be whisked off to your designated cart almost straight away.

 

When you enter the clubhouse head straight for the reception where you will be asked to fill in a registration form, there will be lots of questions in Japanese here, but really all they need is your name (in block), email and telephone number, it's always good to leave your address in Japan or hotel name too.

 

Once you have completed the form, they will give you a locker wallet containing a key for your locker and a scorecard. This locker wallet is very important as most clubs operate a locker number system, whereby you use your locker number for purchases in the pro shop, restaurant etc. and then settle your bill just before leaving on check-out at the reception.

 

When you get to the locker room, it may be necessary to remove your shoes, if this is the case take them with you to your locker. For valuables, there are small safety boxes in or close to the locker room. Once you have left your belongings in the locker/safe you are good to head out to the practice facilities if time, or your cart and out to the course.

 

Note about dress codes:
In most public Golf courses in Japan, they are not as strict on dress codes as the private courses, but it is always good to be smart/casual - a collared shirt and trousers (not denim). 

 

With the hot summers in Japan, most courses are OK with shorts and a polo shirt. If you are in doubt about it best to ask the course (or whoever booked for you) before you go.

 

Tee talk

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. 

 

You will see as you tee up, 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 as a guide - usually when the next group passes it is generally, OK to play away (If you're a long hitter- better to hang on another minute or two).

 

 

 

The white stakes

The white stakes indicate OB, most courses in Japan will have a lot of these- so always check the hole guide. If you do go OB and If indicated, players can be required to play their 4th shot from forward tees (usually about 100 yards from the pin)

This can even be the case for par 3's which can have 'play 3' forward tees! Like it or hate it its part of the game here and is intended to speed up the round. The forward tee is usually indicated by yellow or white tee ground stakes in the fairway.

 

The Yellow stakes

The yellow stakes (can be yellow and black) indicate an area like an OB line, if your ball crosses you are required to take a drop with a one-shot penalty. Your drop can be within two club lengths of the point of crossing but no closer to the hole.

 

Blue Stakes

This is ground under repair and is usually accompanied by a chalked border; you can lift your ball and drop at the nearest point of relief from the chalk boundary.

 

Golf Carts
On most courses in Japan, it's expected you will go out in carts (it's included in your green fee) but if you prefer - you can walk the course, but don't expect bag trolleys to be available - there are none! 

Several courses have remote control carts, so it is possible to walk while the cart lugs the clubs on the cart track to the side of the fairway.

 

The Grass

In Japan, most courses are planted with native korai grass for the course and bent for the greens. Korai dies off in the winter and becomes a pale yellow (though many courses paint the fairways with a dyed fertilizer). Korai is a dense grass and once in season is quick growing and has a thick root system.

 

Two greens?

It was popular in Japan to have two greens on every hole, particularly for courses built before the 90's.  The idea was to have a winter green of bent and a summer of korai.  These days the same courses will plant both with bent and alternate them to allow for recovery and aeration treatment etc. A good tip is if you are going by the course yardage markers - right side of the fairway markers will indicate the right green and the distance to its centre, and the left markers the left green centre.

 

The dreaded pitch mark goblin!
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. 

 

Despite this, Japanese greens are some of the finest in the world and the dedicated green keepers are relentlessly checking during and after the rounds to make sure their greens are top notch.

 

Lunch Breaks?

Just roll with it!

This is something that you just must accept as part of the game (usually). 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 practice green, but what we say is 'when in Nippon'... Golf in Japan has many intricacies, and these should be enjoyed! Plus, the lunch sets are generally high quality, delicious and inexpensive and we recommend some Soba or Udon!

There are also usually tea houses on the course where you can purchase snacks and beer etc. This would be only a short stop for a minute or two - you cannot hold up the group behind!

AFTER YOUR ROUND

 

After the round head back to the clubhouse and let the caddies know if you will take your clubs (Club wa Mochikaeri desu) or that you will be shipping them (Club wa Takyubin desu). Top tip when shipping your clubs - When you first place the shipping order choose as a return journey and they will have the return form pre-filled for you and attached to your golf bag. It is also a good idea to let the reception staff know when you check out that you will be shipping your clubs, then they will double check that all your paperwork for the Takyubin service is in order.

 

Clean your shoes!

Japanese are meticulous about cleanliness and in most golf courses you will find close to the entrance of the clubhouse, an area to clean your shoes, usually containing an air gun, wet brush, and drying cloth. A lot of courses also feature a drying room - somewhere you can hang wet clothes and gloves. Very handy during the rainy season (June-July).

 

Enjoying the Art of the Japanese Bath!

After Golf, one of the best things about the Japan golf experience is having an onsen (geothermal hot spring). There is nothing better for a tired body and onsen are renowned for the waters healing and relaxing powers. However, there are a few things to remember as far as etiquette is concerned, which must be adhered to, but well worth the effort.

When you arrive back at your locker grab your change of clothes and head to the bathroom, there are usually some baskets to hold your clothes. De-robe here, take a provided small curtesy towel and move naked into the bathing area. Before entering the onsen you MUST wash first. There are usually shower stations as you enter and once you have fully washed make your way to the onsen. It is recommended to get in at the opposite end of where the water enters. Go slow and quietly, and if you are not used to hot baths best to submerge in stages so your body gets used to the temperature. Start with legs, then midsection and finally the upper body. After you have sufficiently soaked yourself and you have exited the onsen, be sure to drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration.

* If you have a tattoo, it is best to cover up with a plaster or bandage, as there still is an association with tattoos and mafia gangs in Japan. However, Japanese know these days that a foreigner with a tattoo does not mean mafia, so most likely nothing will be said.

THE WRAP UP

Golf in Japan is something 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. 

Japan offers some of the most unique golfing experiences you can have anywhere in the world. So, come and try some Japanese omotenashi or hospitality, you will not be sorry!