2011.10.14

A hit with Tokyo's sophisticated golfers!
What makes golf lounges so popular and fun?

Behind today's golf culture in Tokyo are golf lounges. They are amusement centers where you can enjoy a drink and some food while playing some serious golf. We ask Kazuhiro Koyama, All About's golf guru who is intimately familiar with Japan's golf scene, about the secret behind the boom and how to enjoy these lounges.(above photo: SHIROKANE CLUB)

Kazuhiro Koyama

All About's golf guru, owner of 39 online golf shops
Koyama is active in numerous golf projects and developments - he's the owner of golf shops, he drafts plans for golf clubs, and writes articles on golfing. He's an expert in the numerous golf lounges that are quickly gaining attention in the current boom.
http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/39-golf/

Why are Tokyo golfers so into golf lounges?

Guide recommendations! High sense golf lounges "Kojimachi Golf Club"

Golf simulators feature a powerful screen that you face while hitting a ball. It really feels like you're playing a round.
Image: GOLFZON Japan

Golf lounges really started catching on in Tokyo about 3 - 4 years ago. According to Koyama, who quickly became involved with the lounges, the main reason they became so popular was the advancement of golf simulators.

"Around 2007 or 2008, lounges started importing foreign-made simulators with advanced specs and much better performance. This made the play experience much more realistic. It captured the experience of actually playing on famous golf courses, and captured the hearts of Tokyo golfers."

Not only can you enjoy realistic play in an urban setting, but it's easy to do because "most lounges let you rent the clubs and the shoes."

While there countless golf lounges dotting Tokyo, another bonus of thee spots are their beautiful décor and good food. "Their sophisticated image makes them popular with young people and women with high sensibilities.

Enjoy easy, sophisticated, realistic golfing at a Tokyo golf lounge. Costs vary by location, but in general day plans are JPY 2,300, while night plans are around JPY 4,000.

The perfect training in your free time!

We asked Koyama to give us a hint on how to enjoy these lounges by telling us our Tokyo's golfers enjoy them.

First he says to use the lounges as a way to"stoically practice your golf skills by yourself or with a couple of friends." Not only do people come after work or on their days off, but many intrepid souls use it in their free time during work hours. "I think more golfers are coming whenever they have time to improve their skills."

"The latest golf simulators can not only show you your swing and flight distance, but also give you the same data on head speed, amount of back spin, launch angle, and so on that the pros use. This data can help you improve your swing as well. In training mode you can focus on your weak points. I recommend a full training session with your friends, followed by a round before you leave."

Guide recommendation: The sophisticated Kojimachi Golf Club

Popular for its easy access. Opens early at 11:00 - stop by when you have some time.

The Kojimachi Golf Club is located in Kojimachi, which lies in the center of the Yamanote district in central Tokyo. With easy access from anywhere in the city, you can enjoy advanced golf training during your free time on vacation or business trips. The stoic golfer should definitely stop by.

The latest golf simulators naturally give you detailed shot data analysis.

High class private rooms. Left handed swings are OK in the VIP room.

Kojimachi Golf Club

Daini Kioicho Bldg. B1F, Kioicho 3-8, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo　Tel: 03-6380-8338　Hours: Weekdays 11:00 - 24:00, Fridays/before holidays 11:00 - 2:00, Saturdays/Sundays 11:00 - 22:00
http://kojimachigolfclub.com

Play a round on the ideal course with your friends!

Next, Kojima recommends using it to "enjoy a round with your friends on a real course." This is the best party of using golf lounges.

"Golf simulators realistically depict all of the world's top golf courses. New systems will even tilt where you stand to match the tilt of these courses."

Visiting a golf club allows you to enjoy a round as if you were in the ideal tournament.

However, unlike a real course you don't have to move, so you can complete a full round in 1 - 1.5 hours. There are also many golf lounges in Tokyo with luxury private rooms so you can play without worrying about the people around you. You can play a serious game with your closest matches, and companies will often use them for lively office parties."

Guide recommendation: The sophisticated SHIROKANE CLUB

Features the latest golf simulators that use actual measurements to depict each course's quirks.

In Shirakane, one of Tokyo's most upscale neighborhoods, lies the SHIROKANE CLUB. This luxurious golf lounge features the latest golf simulators. You'll also find the newest clubs from the world's best manufacturers, and you can even ask for a caddy, for an opulent Tokyo golf lounge experience.

Naturally these advanced golf simulators can analyze detailed shot data.

A swing plate that reproduces a course's slant. There is also a wide selection of the latest clubs.

SHIROKANE CLUB

Precise 2F, 1-25-20 Shirakane, Minato-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-5798-2068 　Hours: Weekdays/Saturdays 13:00 - 2:00, Sundays/holidays 13:00 - 23:00
http://shirokaneclub.com/

Bringing men and women together!

The third way that Koyama recommends using the lounges is getting both the boys and the girls together for a round. Right now Japan is experiencing a golf dating boom.

It's easy to be casual when both sides love golf. By pairing up and playing you can decrease the distance between you and find out what kind of person your partner is while playing. This happens on actual courses, but these kinds of dating experiences are easier at golf lounges.

What with the décor and the food, it's no wonder Tokyo golf lounges are hot spots for finding that special someone!

"At golf lounges, you don't need to worry about sunburn, and you don't need to own the right clothes or equipment. They're also very friendly toward women. Not only are women coming for dating opportunities, but the number of female groups is also on the rise."

Guide recommendation: The sophisticated SPACE JOY

This unique golf lounge is located in a cafe. Women will find its décor unparalled.

SPACE JOY is a little hideaway cafe amongst the high-class department stores and restaurants of Jiyugaoka. The basement level is a golf lounge. Because it is owned by a department store, its décor is top notch. It's hard to come looking for love while on vacation, but it's a great spot for groups of travelers of all sexes.