About Joe

The doors are opening to play golf in Japan!

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About Joe

I have been very fortunate that my work has taken me around the globe. I am an Australian PGA member and was lucky enough to spend 12 amazing years coaching golf at the Keppel Club in Singapore. For the last 10 years, I have been based in Tokyo. My current role sees me working for the finest golf club in Japan, Taiheiyo Club. Taiheiyo Club operates 18 of the finest golf courses as well as hotels, restaurants, and a newly opened town club in Ginza. My role is to ensure golfers have the best golfing experience that Japan can provide, which, of course, is to have a “Taiheiyo Club experience”.

I am still a golf coach and fortunate enough to be a Titleist and Flightscope brand ambassador in Japan. If you have any questions about any of the topics above, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Whats In The Bag

Driver – Titleist TSR3, (10 degrees) A1 setting. Shaft – Tour AD DI 6S, S-Flex.

3 Wood – Titleist TSR3, (16.5 degrees) A1 setting. Shaft – Tour AD DI 5s, S-Flex.

Irons – Titleist T200 (5-PW), U505 (3,4). Shaft – NS Pro 105T – S Flex.

Wedges – Titleist Vokey Forged (52-10M, 58-06B). Shaft – NS Pro 105T – S Flex.

Putter – Scotty Cameron Select – Newport, 34’’,

Ball – Titleist Pro v1x.

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Read Curated Content about Golf in Japan

Blog
Kawana - Fuji Course
Kawana - Fuji Course

The Fuji course at Kawana is ranked number 2 in Japan. Its a public course that is considered the Pebble Beach of Japan. I travelled there recently to play and thoroughly enjoyed the experience although not everything is as its seems.

Taiheiyo Club - Sagami
Taiheiyo Club - Sagami

Taiheiyo Sagami is unique, quirky and fun. Close to Tokyo and only a stones throw from Mt Fuji this Shunsuke Kato design has some of the fastest greens and best views available in Japan.

Taiheiyo Club - Ichihara
Taiheiyo Club - Ichihara

Taiheiyo Ichihara is a brilliant layout with a great set of finishing holes. Easy to reach from Tokyo this tournament course has very distinct design language that makes it both memorable and a pace you will want to return to.

Fuji Classic 17th Hole - The Great Wave of Kanagawa
Fuji Classic 17th Hole - The Great Wave of Kanagawa

Taiheiyo Clubs Sano Hillcrest course is a fantastic layout and one of my favourite courses in Japan. While doing some recent research on the course I began a deep dive on the course designer, Desmond Muirhead. I must say I have become a Muirhead fan, not only because he designed some great courses but because he was apparently a bit of a hell raiser. Muirheads designs were influenced by art, literature, mother nature and especially marine life which he often integrated into his courses.

Taiheiyo Club - Gotemba West hotel
Taiheiyo Club - Gotemba West hotel

Renovated in 2019 I would best describe this hotel as a retreat, a place to rest and relax. The surrounding area is quiet and as you move around the property, Mt Fuji will continually pop into view above the Japanese cedars. The 1st tee of the Gotemba West course sits almost at your doorstep and the revered Taiheiyo Gotemba course only a couple of minutes away, making this hotel the perfect choice for golfers.

Accomodation - Where Golfers should stay in Tokyo
Accomodation - Where Golfers should stay in Tokyo

If you google the best places to stay in Tokyo you will be given a laundry list of suggestions. Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, and Roppongi will be some of the names that will pop up. They are all fabulous places but wading through all the content, trying to figure out the best option can be a difficult proposition. Therefore I have decided to make it easy.

Trees as Hazards - A Japanese Tradition
Trees as Hazards - A Japanese Tradition

Trees in, or close to fairways are a very popular design element in Japan. Since living in Japan I have played only a handful of courses where a tree did not influence a shot from the fairway or the tee. The Japanese designer’s predilection in using trees as a hazard is interesting, especially considering it flies in the face of what the most influential architects preferred.

Golf in Japan - Transport Options
Golf in Japan - Transport Options

What is the best mode of transport to get to golf courses in Japan? It's a question I spend a lot of time answering so I have decided to write a brief about each option. It’s an important question too because traveling is very much part of the adventure of playing in Japan.

The Titleist Flagship Shirt
The Titleist Flagship Shirt

The three pillars of the Titleist performance clothing line are mobility, comfort, and weather protection. The advertising material states the flagship shirts provide the following benefits … Light, stretchy, non-sticky, breathable, water-repelling, quick-dry, UV protection, humidity control (cooling), and of course is comfortable. From my perspective, it's the best shirt I have ever worn.

The Seasons in Japan - When to Play Golf
The Seasons in Japan - When to Play Golf

Each season in Japan, especially Tokyo, provides a unique golfing experience. Golf is played all year in Japan and in the depths of winter it is not uncommon for booking sheets to be rather busy. If your trip is specifically golf then there are months which are preferable but really whatever month you decide on will be the right choice. Well, sort of …