Let us custom make your golf package and enjoy the golf vacation of a lifetime! The below plans are some popular in-bound packages. Private, business or corporate, we can make it a seamless experience!

The Fuji View (1 Round & 2 Nights Golf Package) 

Perfect for people from nearby countries who want a quick taste of golf in Japan or for those who plan to travel on to other areas of Japan after their golf tour. We'll be waiting to meet you and your group at the airport to whisk you away. Guests will enjoy a "Welcome Dinner" buffet featuring "all you can drink beer" made with pure Mt. Fuji spring water as well as unlimited hot springs access throughout your stay! Note: (*All our accommodations have, and include, unlimited internet access!) 

Featured courses (Eastern, Central areas)

Gotemba Golf Club, Belle View Nagao G.C., Kagosaka G.C., Taiyo C.C., Gatsby G.C., Fuji Kogen G.C., Numazu Kokusai C.C. and more··· (Note: availability varies on weekends) 

The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped, stratovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, rising above villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes has long been the object of pilgrimages and inspired artists and poets.

 

The inscribed property consists of 25 sites which reflect the essence of Fujisan’s sacred and artistic landscape. In the 12th century, Fujisan became the centre of training for ascetic Buddhism, which included Shinto elements. On the upper 1,500-metre tier of the 3,776m mountain, pilgrim routes and crater shrines have been inscribed alongside sites around the base of the mountain including Sengen-jinja shrines, Oshi lodging houses, and natural volcanic features such as lava tree moulds, lakes, springs and waterfalls, which are revered as sacred. 

Its representation in Japanese art goes back to the 11th century, but 19th century woodblock prints of views, including those from sand beaches with pine tree groves have made Fujisan an internationally recognized icon of Japan and have had a deep impact on the development of Western art. 

*For the full story see the Unesco site here: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1418

県内ゴルフ場、ＨＰで海外へ　御殿場のベネットさん

-Let's Celebrate Golf in Shizuoka!! www.golf-shizuoka.com

県内のゴルフ場を紹介するサイト「ゴルフ・シズオカ」を運営するベネットさん＝御殿場市神山
　御殿場市内でゴルフインストラクターを務めるカナダ出身のベネット・ジョン・ギャロウェイさん（44）が、県内のゴルフ場を紹介するインターネットホームページを開設した。英語のサイトは珍しく、海外からのアクセスも増えているという。ベネットさんは「静岡は富士山があり、ゴルフ施設のレベルも高い。空港の開港が予定される中、多くの外国人に観光資源を知ってもらう機会になれば」と話している。

　ベネットさんは地元カナダでゴルフやスノーボードに親しみ、ホテルリゾートのマネジャーに。１９９１年、岩手県安比高原のリゾートの交換社員研修生として来日。各地のゴルフリゾートで学んだ後、御殿場ゴルフ倶楽部（御殿場市）のティーチングプロとなり、現在は同市東山に暮らしている。

　「日本にはゴルフコースが 2500 カ所以上ある。各国の関係者やビジネスマンも訪れるのに、英語の情報発信がほとんどなかった」とベネットさん。外国人旅行者向けアウトドア情報誌のサイト「ゴルフ・イン・ジャパン」を知人と手掛け、昨年には県内の９１カ所を網羅した「ゴルフ・シズオカ」をオープンした。

　ゴルフ・シズオカは東・中・西部、伊豆地域に分け、各コースの印象や図、写真のほか、観光スポットを掲載する。今後はコースの予約情報も扱う予定だ。「時之栖」などがある御殿場高原リゾートの営業、マーケティングにも携わるベネットさんは「海外ではゴルフツアーが盛ん。県内の魅力的な観光地や宿泊と組み合わせたゴルフツーリズムをアピールすれば、きっと関心が高まると思う」と見据える。

-We look forward to seeing you again in 2014!

Warm regards,

Date: Sunday September 15th

Location: Gotemba, Shizuoka Japan

Entrance Fee: 15,900 JPY (for golfers)

For Registration Contact: [email protected] 
(first come first served)

Supported by: Golf Shizuoka and Galloway Golf Group

Come enjoy a great day on the links at Gotemba Golf Club here in Shizuoka Japan.

-We have a full sized bus departing from Tokyo to bring you to the event and back again.

Schedule:7:00 a.m. - Depart from Oakwood Midtown
9:00 a.m. - Arrival at Gotemba Golf Club
9:20 a.m. - Arrival at Gotemba Kogen Resort
9:50 a.m. - Arrival at Gotemba Premium Outlets Mall (for those not golfing)
3:30 p.m. - Depart from Gotemba Premium Outlets Mall

4:30 p.m. - Depart from Gotemba Golf Club

4:45 p.m. - Arrive at Beer Kingdom Festival
7:30 p.m. - Depart for Tokyo from the Festival
9:15 p.m. - Arrival at Oakwood Midtown

Compete with kids around the world in your own age/gender group on a course especially setup for kids age 5 through 18. 

USKG Local Tours are played on regular courses with adjusted tees matching children's age and gender to insure maximum enjoyment and fair competition.

Playing in a Seasonal Tournament or a World Championship Qualifier is fun and also gives your child the opportunity to be invited to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst North Carolina USA. Top place winners from each group will be selected by USKGJ and invitations for the World Championship will be sent late May. The European Championship in Scotland in May is an exciting event to compete with top European players in the home of golf.

USKG events were created in Japan to;

Click on the links below for more information about each event or email [email protected]

4/2 (Tue) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Belle View Nagao Golf Club

4/21 (Sun) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Kagosaka Golf Club

5/6 (Mon) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Golf Park Bandi

http://www.golf-in-japan.com/scourse.php?ID=828
5/21 (Sun) Nagano Prefecture 

Karuizawa 72 at Prince Hotel

6/2 (Sun) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Fuji Ace Golf Club

6/9 (Sun) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Nichidou Gotenba Course

8/18 (Sun) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Kagosaka Golf Club

9/16 (Mon) Gotemba Valley, Shizuoka, Japan

Fuji Health & Country Club

7/25 - 7/28

Pinehurst NC USA

8/1 - 8/4

Pinehurst NC USA

This is a feature I wrote for Golf Teaching Pro magazine's winter 2013 edition. 

You can read it here below or on this PDF File. 

-Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Date: Sunday April 14th

1. 7 Craft Beers

2. 7 flights/teams

3. 7 Chambers of Commerce (invited)

4. 7 Rules  (cart path only, Men on White tees, Ladies red, drunk people aren't allowed to drive carts, putters only on the greens, best ball team ball score only, have fun!!)

5. 7 is the maximum score on any hole

6. 7 Golf Jokes (each cart will have a print up with 7 classic golf jokes)

7. Players from 7+  different countries (Canada, Ireland, Japan, America, Germany, England, Australia, France, South africa, Switzerland, Scotland ..etc)

-If you would like to field a team from your country let us know.

RSVP deadline April 8th.

Contact: Bennett Galloway

Email: [email protected] 

Cell: 090-8475-4512

See our flyer HERE

 Juniors to Enjoy Free Access to 3 Courses at Shenzhen and Haikou as Group Reaffirms its Commitment to Junior Golf Development throughout the Region 

(Shenzhen, 2 January) – Mission Hills Group today announced that all junior golfers under the age of 16 will benefit from free access to three of the resort operator’s golf courses in 2013. Starting 1 Jan, green fees for junior golfers from all over the world will be waived for the Zhang Lian Wei course in Shenzhen and the Stepping Stone and Double Pin Courses at Mission Hills Haikou.   

The move seeks to foster junior golf as the sport prepares for its return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.   But it’s not just local golfers that stand to benefit as Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group and Secretary General of One Asia, Tenniel Chu pointed out: “We very much hope that this will benefit junior golf development right across the region as people increasingly see China as a top golfing destination for junior development tournaments and golf leisure. 

For the past twenty years, Mission Hills has been committed to promoting and popularizing the sport of golf in China and across the region and junior golf development has always been a central pillar of our strategy. With golf now set to return to the next Olympics, these exciting developments will provide a clear pathway for junior golfers to play their way to Brazil in the next four years.”   Mission Hills has always been an active promoter of the junior game in China and has been involved with a number of initiatives to bring the world’s leading players, instructors and events to China.   

In 2009, Mission Hills joined with Masters, R&A and APGC to stage the Asian Amateur Championship. In 2011, Mission Hills partnered with Nike Golf to create Mission Hills Nike Golf Junior Championship which saw Tiger Woods providing juniors with tuition and motivation. Additionally together with Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Sir Nick Faldo and Annika Sorenstam, Mission Hills has co-founded and host many junior golf tournaments and development programs across the region. 

China’s 14-year-old prodigy, Guan Tianlang, the champion from these tournaments, has qualified for the 2013 Masters and in April will become the youngest player ever to participate in the tournament.   

Dominic Wall, Director Asia-Pacific of The R&A commented "This is a wonderful initiative for junior golf and Mission Hills must be congratulated for showing leadership in this area. With course accessibility among juniors being such a key issue in the Asian region, this will no doubt lead to many more children having the opportunity to pick up a club for the first time and try out the game."    

The Zhang Lian-wei course acclaimed as “World’s Leading par-3 Course” by the U.S. Golf Magazine for its innovative course design and unique style. Stepping Stone Course is a true pitch and putt course, seamlessly blending in with the native surrounds of lava rock and thick vegetation. The Double Pin course incorporates a unique and distinct feature of two pins on each green.   

For more information, visit www.missionhillschina.com 

Enquiries and Bookings Tel: Haikou +86 898 6868 3888 # 63333 Email: [email protected] Tel: Shenzhen +86 755 2802 0888 # 38152 Email: [email protected] Tel: Dongguan +86 769 8728 8888 # 88660 Email: [email protected]       

 About Mission Hills Group Mission Hills Group (www.missionhillschina.com), owner and operator of Mission Hills in the heart of the Pearl River Delta and the tropical island of Hainan, is the pioneer in China’s fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.   Founded in 1992, Mission Hills is recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious and exquisitely-designed residences. Mission Hills has been the major driving force behind the sports and leisure industry in China. Its three world-class integrated leisure and wellness resort destinations have hosted more than 100 international tournaments. 

Mission Hills has also been accredited the “World’s Largest Golf Club” by the Guinness World Records.   Mission Hills’ properties sprawl over 40 sq.km. They include 22 championship courses designed by renowned players and architects from five continents, five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, an international convention center, golf academies and Asia’s largest tennis facility. Mission Hills is also the official training headquarters of China’s Tennis and Golf Associations.   

The Group’s “golf and more” leisure philosophy has catalyzed its tourism-related business expansion. Mission Hills Centreville and Mission Hills ▪ Lan Kwai Fong ▪ Haikou are family-friendly metropolitan leisure complexes and low-carbon town centers. Hubs for business, leisure, wellness and entertainment, their highlights include 1,000-plus international anchor brands featuring the latest fashion labels, finest jewelry and watches; trendiest restaurants, cafes and bars; state-of-the-art multiplex cinemas; ice skating rinks; bowling alleys; world-renowned auto showrooms; and many other exciting offerings. A total of six hotels are showcased in these developments, among them Marriott International's Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance hotel brands.   

Today, Mission Hills Group has achieved many milestones and become the preeminent conglomerate in the sports, tourism, leisure and entertainment industry. The next breakthrough in the Group’s evolution will occur as it brings its tried and true branding and golf management services to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Yunnan, Chongqing and other destinations.   

For further information, please contact: Ms. Sundi Shi Mission Hills China Telephone: (86 755) 2802 0888 Ext. 36022 Email:   [email protected]         

Summer heat has left us and the leaves have all but fallen. Most of you are probably starting to think about retiring your clubs for the season and focusing on winter sports like skiing and boarding. For some of us it's not that easy to turn off the game, and the desire to tee it up lasts all year! In this feature we will explore the options available for the year round golfer as well as helpful tips for your winter game. 

I have been a snowboard instructor and regular member of the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors for over eighteen years. 

In fact I am the four hundred and fifty second registered snowboard instructor in Canada, yet even in winter I have an overwhelming, and some times hard for others to understand, desire to play golf! Yes, the game has some addictive qualities, but, "it's all good" as long as you plan and prepare for the elements. 

The Winter GameRules: 

In countries that enjoy four seasons the course conditions tend to vary and Japan is no exception. The turf variety here at most clubs for fairways and roughs is a grass called "Korai" or "Creeping Korai" (due to its roots growth pattern). It has become popular here because of its easy maintenance and good overall performance, especially in the heat of the Japanese summers. The down side is that it turns yellow and becomes dormant from mid-November and doesn't begin growing and return to its original color until after the cherry blossoms have fallen in spring. This grass doesn't create clean divots that can be replaced and sand is used to re-fill the holes until the grass grows back in, but in winter that can take months! For this reason Japanese clubs tend to use Winter Rules put forth by their committees. The most popular being six inch, preferred lies which allows you to mark (or face 1 penalty) pick up clean and replace your ball up to six inches from its original position (no nearer to the whole) through the green (everywhere except on the green). This can be a "must" and I recommend checking the clubs rules before starting your round and then using them to increase your enjoyment. 

Many have, myself included, but under both the R & A and the USGA rules, snow and natural ice are categorized as either casual water or loose impediments, which means if they affect your stance you can get relief under the applicable rules. This is particularly useful in shaded areas where snow may remain longer and you won't look like a "boob" slipping and falling trying to play the ball as it lies! 

Tees: On the Kanto plane it freezes making the tee boxes so hard that you can't even get your tee in! For this they provide a weighted device with a handle on it that punches a hole in the ground allowing you to tee-it-up. "Watch your toes" however, as there are often incidents where people punch holes in their own feet, effectively ending their golf day not to mention ruining a good pair of golf shoes!!! 

Greens: Although you will enjoy incredible run off the tee, the flip side to the coin is uncontrollable bounces produced by any shot that carries directly to the green. This requires you to read all the undulations around the green and plan your strategy to incorporate the various angles you are presented with to find ways of running or bouncing the ball up onto the putting surface. This definitely adds an extra dimension to the game and "yea" with the most creativity wins! 

Winter Specific Gear:   

The key is to get your body in a state that allows you to concentrate on the task at hand while not being too restrictive on your swing. Winter underwear or "Long Johns" are perfect for the job as they allow you to move freely and give you an extra layer on your bum that you will be thank full for, should you be sitting on the, inevitably, cold golf cart seat Heating pads have come along way and the ones currently available provide good heat all day long! Most clubs will either offer them for free to players or carry them in their pro shops or at the caddy masters. Ask for "Hotto-kairro" which is the Japanese word used for them. 

Supermarkets and Pharmacies offer better varieties with ones that have adhesive to stick to the place you want the heat the most as well as foot shaped ones for placing in your shoes! 

Winter hats are a must as we loose such a high percentage of our body heat from our heads and when the wind whips up you won't freeze your ears! Sunglasses are a good help as well on bright days. The Japanese Korai grass being yellow tends to reflect the suns UV rays and you can receive burns similar to a day on the water (from the bottom up)! Jackets and windbreakers are a no-brainer... but make sure they are not restrictive and allow you to move your arms freely. If possible stick to golf specific wear as they will be designed with purpose. I also try to wear something with a fabric that doesn't make too much noise when I swing and also make sure it is snug around the middle giving me space to move my putter with out catching. "Getting harder these days"!! 

Balls have different compressions. Usually 90% and 100%, but cold balls will not perform to the specs that they are intended (less distance). A softer ball is preferred and there are even balls specifically made for winter golf! Go to your local golf shop and you will probably find them. I make sure to put a few balls in my pocket well before heading to the first tee to allow them time to warm up. That number of balls "in waiting" I suspect will change from person to person! 

Winter Golf Destinations Should all this seem a little over the top, you can always travel to some great nearby tropical golfing destinations just hours flight from Tokyo. See our Courses in Micronesia or go to our Courses and Ratings and check out what's available in southern Kyushu and Okinawa. 

Here with most courses in the Mt. Fuji and surrounding areas, they only close if there's actual snow on the ground impeding play!   

So for those hearty souls out there who are looking for a winter round come check us out, count me in, and I'll bring the rum..:-)