Golf In Japan

In this week’s episode of Golf in Japan, we head west of Tokyo to spotlight Yamanashi Prefecture—home to stunning mountain golf, legendary fruit, and half of Mount Fuji. KC, Damon, and Pro Joe dive into what makes Yamanashi such a hidden gem for golfers and travelers, including how its housing prices compare to Tokyo, and just how late you can be for a meeting in Japan (spoiler: don’t push it).

Joe reflects on his golden mullet days while giving us his hot takes on the Masters and breaking down the latest headlines from the pro golf world. The boys also try out the latest Skechers golf shoe drop—the Go Golf Prestige—and share their impressions on whether good shoes really do improve your game.

Plus, they head to Kagurazaka Country Club, one of Tokyo’s coolest simulator golf bars, for some drinks, swings, and laughs.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Corey Yoshimura—husband, father, friend, and PGA Tour Japan’s beloved marketing director. Cheers to you, Corey. You will be missed.

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/yamanashi

Kagurazaka Country Club (Golf Bar)
https://golf-in-japan.com/shops/tokyo/kagurazaka-country-club

An emotional Rory McIlroy finally captures the Masters, and KC, Damon, and Ryan jump on the mic for an instant reaction show. A proud moment for KC, the resident Irishman, as he gives his countryman props for closing it out—but the big question remains: will Rory add more majors this year and beyond?

The crew also recaps a few other big storylines: Justin Rose's strong showing, DeChambeau’s backyard pint stop, none of the crew's dark horse picks came through; Lowry had a tough +9 final round, and Aberg's slip-up on 18 cost him any sliver of hope. Matsuyama quietly carded the low round of Sunday, and once again, Augusta National proved why it's golf’s Disneyland with flawless conditions and world-class organization.

In our Japan travel segment, we spotlight Oita—famous for its incredible onsen towns, 22 golf courses, fresh seafood, and the local favorite, Mugi Shochu.

(And a quick correction: Ben Hogan also completed the career Grand Slam, making it six players in history not 5 as KC points out- sumimasen!)

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/oita

It’s that time of year—Masters week! Join KC, Damon, and Pro Joe as they break down all the action from Day 1 at Augusta, including their picks and bold predictions for the rest of the tournament. The crew dives into course changes, LIV players making a strong showing, and how good it feels to have all the best players in the world back on the same stage.

Rory stumbles early, while Justin Rose surges ahead. Joe poses the million-dollar question: what would our Champions Dinner menu look like? (Spoiler: the conversation goes off the rails fast.)

They also chat Scheffler’s new claw grip, Sergio’s questionable fashion choices, and the iconic opening tee shots from Jack, Gary, and Tom. Plus—are LIV’s content strategies outpacing the PGA Tour? YouTube golf creators find themselves in hot water, but is LIV actually writing the playbook for the future?

It’s Augusta in full swing—don’t miss this one!

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Join KC, Damon, Pro Joe, and Ryan as they cover a broad—and somewhat random—range of topics. From the guys’ heights, weights, ailments, and golf games, to the latest gear news: the new Titleist mini driver drops April 18th, and Lab drops the TNS-1. This week’s featured prefecture is Saga, home to some must-play courses, including Seiichi Inoue’s 1969 classic—possibly the best course in Japan. In pro golf, with ISPS Handa not returning to Japan in 2025, the crew looks ahead to the upcoming Asian Tour series featuring 15 LIV players. Plus, Min Woo Lee brings the hype, and the boys debate why Patrick Reed is the golfer everyone loves to hate. All this and more on Golf In Japan!

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/saga

Join KC, Damon, Pro Joe and Ryan as they take discuss par-3 courses in Japan,  cherry blossom madness kicks off in the south, and the boys break down the must-visit spots for sakura season. Joe isn’t thrilled about Kawana olf Club adding cart paths to one of Japan’s best courses, describing it as ‘drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa.’ Nagasaki is our featured prefecture, and we dive into the simple joy of egg sandwiches in Japan. In pro golf, Victor Hovland is heating up despite his chipping struggles, and TGL wraps up its season (but does anyone care?)The boys talk blinged-out Japanese clubs, colored balls, and finally the unexpected headline: Tiger Woods & Vanessa Trump, ChatGPT approves—but do we? 

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/nagasaki

Cherry Blossom Golf
https://www.air-golf.com/travel/japan-guide/cherry-blossom-golf-japan

With KC away in Osaka, the boys kick off the show with some classic Irish jokes before diving into why our Golf Partner service is a game-changer for solo travelers. As cherry blossoms bloom and the weather warms up, they take a few swings at Rory for his latest mishap at The Players. Plus, Joe shares his thoughts on the Monday playoff. And in big news for golf in Japan, LIV Golf confirms its players will tee it up at the Asian Tour event at Caledonian from May 8-11. And the guys put the spotlight on Kumamoto Golf. 

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/kumamoto

KC, Damon, Pro Joe, and Ryan review the 2025 Japan Golf Fair. This week's prefecture guide is Miyazaki, and the guys discuss the big news in Japan of the Caddie on the JLPGA tour who was simultaneously having an affair with 3 players! 

Later in the show, we are joined by Travis Steiner, Executive Director of the new Baycurrent Classic (Formerly ZOZO Championship). We discuss his journey, the challenges of building a successful tournament in Japan and what we can look forward to this fall at the Baycurrent Classic. 

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/miyazaki

Join the full squad as they weigh in on Trump and golf, Kagoshima is our featured travel destination, the boys play some local links, featuring crazy wind and Golf Ojisans! The boys talk tour news and aren't too impressed with TGL- but are hopeful for creators involvement and LIV disappears from Japanese screens...  Pro Joe tells us about the best 9 hole course in Tokyo (although not where you think it is! ) This and more on the latest episode! 

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/kagoshima

Join KC, Pro Joe, and Ryan (Damonless) as they navigate through the madness of a quintuple bogey on the PGA tour, and Youtuber Grant Horvat sponsors Mickelson's High Flyers on LIV... John Daly's hand is banged up (perhaps from smashing balls over a motorway on New Year's Eve!) We revisit Kochi prefecture and its wonderful courses, yuzu, and Katsuo fish, then get into another poor showing by TGL (now on its last chance with the boys) LIV Signs Irish prodigy Tom McKibbin despite Rory's advice... and will Keegan Bradley drop his captaincy to be a player in the Ryder cup?? 

We are ready for some new Titleist fairway metals and eagerly anticipate the mini driver. It is good news for Miura fans as we can now help them get a fitting here in Japan with our new Partner shop: PAL Golf. All this and more in the latest Golf in Japan podcast!!

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/courses/kochi

Golf Shop PAL:
https://golf-in-japan.com/shops/tokyo/golf-shop-pal

Join KC, Damon, Pro Joe, and Ryan in a wide conversation on the new TGL league and reaction. Titleist drops the new GT1 Driver, fairway wood, and utility- and the boys give them a try and put them straight into the bag!

Julie asks where should she play while here for the Osaka Expo? The tour finishes up in Hawaii with the Sony Open, and The Genesis will move because of the tragic fires in LA.

Today's Podcast is in association with Titleist:
https://golf-in-japan.com/titleist-fitting-experience

Mentioned in the podcast:
https://golf-in-japan.com/news-events/japan-travel/golf-kansai-essential-playing