Name: How to Play Golf in Japan | japan-guide.com
Uploaded: 2020-06-08T04:05:40.000Z
Duration: 7 min 55 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

Adverbs of manner

When you think about Japan, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn't golf.

Japan has some of the best golf courses not only in Asia, but arguably the world.

Additionally Japan's internationally famous hospitality

has been integrated into the golfing experience

setting it apart as a unique and worthwhile golf destination.

However, there are a few rules, points of etiquette, and parts of the process of golfing

in Japan that might be different than you would expect which we're going to cover

today to get you up to speed and course-ready.

With this in mind, we're going follow our staff writer Sam and his golf partner Stefan

step by step through a typical golf round

at the lovely Kodama Golf Club in Saitama, Japan.

Ok, first off Sam and Stefan arrive and are greeted with a bow by two friendly caddies

Notice what Sam does, or rather does not do right here

so by not doing so here, Sam is making the right call.

And a huge thank you to the Kodama Golf Club in Saitama Japan for allowing us to make this

Ok, with bag in hand Sam heads to reception

Here, each golfer must fill out a registration card

with his or her name, address, and phone number

Sam fills his out like a champ and receives his locker key

Now, it's important to point out for the viewers at home, that locker keys on Japanese courses

basically act as charge cards for all expenses that come up throughout the day

for example at the pro shop, practice range, restaurant, or rest houses.

Everything is charged the locker number and paid all at once at checkout.

In fact, Sam really doesn't even need to keep his wallet with him.

Here he is depositing his wallet and other valuables into one of the safe deposit boxes

which are common in Japanese clubhouse lobbies.

What a tour de force by Sam through the lobby!

In the locker room we see him turning his locker key with unnecessary drama

a sure sign he is feeling confident about the upcoming competition.

Let's take a quick timeout here to talk about clubhouse dress code

As Sam demonstrates, while in the clubhouse many courses require players to wear jackets,

collared shirts, pants (or skirts for woman), and decent shoes.

Alright, we'll let Sam get changed into his course clothes

A collared shirt that is tucked in, pants, shorts (or skirts for the ladies),

so no sandals and no golf shoes with metal spikes

Having changed, and looking sharp might I add, Sam finds the caddy master's window to

After grabbing a few clubs from the cart, it's full speed ahead to the practice area.

As you might expect in Japan, balls are dispensed from

which is why Sam needed to get a token beforehand.

As the gentlemen warm-up, I'll also point out that some of the nicer courses

have specific areas for practicing approach

Moving on to the practice green, our last stop before we hit the course...

Alright, well ready or not, next stop hole one.

On courses in Japan, the front nine, or the first nine holes are called "out"

and today our competitors will start by playing "out" beginning at hole one.

Here we see the caddy going over the rules

and now it's time to draw sticks and determine order

Sam draws a 2, but Stefan gets number one

Lots of pressure, this being the first drive of the day, let's see how Stefan handles it.

it's worth mentioning that, if that drive had gone out of bounds, or "O.B."

like we saw him do in a few weeks ago in Okinawa,

he could've played his next shot from the OB tees.

OB tees are a unique feature of Japanese courses.

If your drive goes out of bounds, you can take your next shot

from these special tees much closer to the hole for a 2 stroke penalty.

Looks a little long, but not a bad "par on" and there's still a chance for a birdie

We've seen Sam sink longer puts than this in the past

So let's take a second to talk about how these two are traveling around the course.

Today we see they're using remote controlled carts

which drive themselves along the cart path and are common in Japan.

Of course, others courses around the country

also have standard carts which players drive themselves.

And if you've hired a caddy usually they will do the driving for you.

Some courses also have GPS units mounted at the front

so you can easily check how far the green you are, pin positions, and other useful information.

Ok, fast forwarding a bit, here are the standings so far after 9 holes.

Now, you might be thinking "why are they heading back to the clubhouse

This is because after the front nine most courses in Japan have players stop for a meal