Playing Golf with Old Friends
The other day, I went golfing with some friends from my university days.
Last year, one of our classmates passed away.
At his funeral, we met again for the first time in about thirty years.
After the ceremony, we went out to eat together and talked about our lives.
During that conversation, someone said, “We should play golf sometime.”
That is how this round of golf happened.
Why Golf Near Tokyo Takes Time
We drove from Tokyo to Tochigi Prefecture, which took about two hours.
In Japan—especially around Tokyo—this is very normal.
Land in Tokyo is extremely limited.
There are golf courses in and around the city, but they are very expensive.
The closest golf course to my home costs about 30,000 yen, even on weekdays.
The farther you go from Tokyo, the cheaper golf becomes.
That is why ordinary people like me usually play golf at courses located in more rural areas.
This time, my friend found a reasonably priced course, and we were able to play for 10,000 yen, including lunch.
Golf and Lunch Breaks in Japan
In Japan, there is usually a one-hour lunch break after the first nine holes.
I have heard that in other countries, golfers eat light snacks while continuing their round.
In Japan, however, it is common to stop completely and have a proper meal at the clubhouse restaurant.
The Reality of Winter Golf
Winter golf is tough.
On top of regular golf wear, you need heavy jackets, earmuffs, neck warmers—full winter protection.
With all that on, it becomes harder to move naturally, and even your driving distance changes.
The greens are often completely frozen, almost like concrete.
If you aim directly for the pin, the ball will bounce and roll away.
Scores are usually worse than in summer.
Still, playing while chatting and laughing with old friends makes the round enjoyable.
About My Golf Skill
As for my score, I am not particularly good.
Among Japanese golfers, breaking 100 is considered intermediate level,
and breaking 90 is considered advanced.
By that standard, I would be an intermediate player.
That said, my driver shots always curve, and my putting is inconsistent.
Honestly, the frustration is probably one of the reasons I keep playing.
Golf and Foreign Visitors
Now that I think about it, I rarely see foreign golfers at these courses.
Tourists who play golf in Japan probably choose resort areas like Okinawa or Hokkaido.
But golf courses near Tokyo are not bad at all.
If you ever have the chance, I would recommend trying a round.
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