Tokyo

Toyko, one of Asia's most prominent cities home to over 20 million residents, boasts a unique golf culture. It is also one of the few cities in the world to host an Olympic golf competition as the host of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. The host club for the Olympics is Kasumigaseki Country Club, which is home to 36 holes. Tiger Woods earned his 82nd victory in Japan in the nearby city of Chiba in the 2019 ZoZo Championship at Narashino Country Club. Golfers who live and work in the sprawling metropolis likely have access to the game one of two ways - either at a private club or one of the dozens of ranges and simulators dispersed throughout an urban landscape. GolfPass has explored two of Japan's most famous clubs - the Kawana Hotel's 36 holes of resort golf - the "Pebble Beach of Asia" - and Hirono Golf Club, the "Pine Valley of Japan." Our Managing Editor Brandon Tucker interviewed Brad Klein about his experience visiting these gems in this podcast.

Pace of play is quite different in Japan. Most rounds include stopping for lunch after nine holes, meaning your round could be up to six hours once you include all the social time. It's why some club's advertise "twilight" tee times at 11 a.m. Another unique feature of golf in this part of the world is many golf courses have two sets of greens on each hole, one for the warm season and one used in the cooler months.