I have just finished uploading pictures (all 700 of them) from my recent business trip to Japan and felt a quick blog post was in order. In fact I promise to write a number of posts over the coming days and months given how much I have to talk about.
I am working with a prestigious golf club near Fukuoka called Keya GC – looking at ways to improve the golf course. Keya was designed by legendary Japanese Golf Architect Shiro Akaboshi over 50 years ago and as part of the trip the client (and I) felt it would be worthwhile visiting other courses designed by the same architect. Add to that getting out and visiting a variety of golf courses would give me a better feel for golf in Japan which is important.
As a start I thought I would write about the overall golf experience in Japan because in so many ways it’s unique, fun, memorable, interesting and all the rest. I suppose If you are going to spend 4 – 5 hours playing golf then you might as well make it a great event / great experience….. as is the case in Japan.
Let me describe this experience using photos:
If you are travelling to a golf course from out of country then be sure to stay in a business hotel. Small but functional
It’s not unusual to have an alcoholic beverage before the round. In this case a pint of Japanese Suntory – at 7am – was in order
A visit to the pro shop is a must for unique and intersting goodies. Be sure to choose your favorite colored golf ball
If you like packaged fish then you can probably buy it from the pro shop as well
Take a caddy…. they are friendly and informative
Time for some green tea during the round
….or some natural spring water out on the course.
Enjoy the scenery. In this case some steam venting out of a volcano near Hakone
Stop for a meal after 9 holes
enjoy more scenery on the second nine
Finish up with meal and wash down in the warm baths. This is the view from the warm bath at the Keya GC
