In Japan, golf is a key part of business culture, used for networking and relationship-building. Once seen as a symbol of relentless productivity, it also represents a Western dream for many businessmen
In Japan, golf is more than just a sport. It is a significant part of business culture. In Japan, golf is more than just a sport; it’s a significant part of business culture. Golf is particularly popular among businesspeople and is often used as a means of socialising and building relationships in the Japanese workplace, which is characterised by a very strict hierarchy. Many companies encourage their employees to play golf together, much like nomikai. Golf is viewed as an opportunity to bond with colleagues and superiors, discuss business matters in a relaxed setting, and demonstrate social and professional etiquette. The sport itself is no longer merely a leisure activity but rather a fulfilment of a workplace obligation, reflecting the culture of hard work and dedication that Japan is known for—even outside of working hours.
When talking about the beginning of Japan's golf history, it will always evoke the famous 1964 Life magazine photo of a crowded, multi-storey driving range filled with salarymen practising their swings. This image fed into the Western narrative of Japan as a place of relentless productivity, where even leisure had a factory-like feel. However, for many Japanese businessmen, golf symbolised a Western dream come true—shifting from local practice ranges to prestigious American greens.
Golf is one of the most significant Western cultural imports to Japan, introduced during the Meiji Restoration in 1868 when Japan ended its isolationist policies. During this period, a group of foreigners began flooding into Japan, among them Arthur Hesketh Groom (hereinafter referred to as Groom), a British tea merchant who established the first golf club in Japan, the Kobe Golf Club, on Mount Rokko. Groom served as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, while T.C. Thornicraft became the club’s inaugural president. Initially a modest four-hole course, it was later expanded to nine holes and became known as the Kobe Golf Club. In its early days, golf was primarily an expatriate pastime, with just a few Japanese participants.
By 1904, more golf courses emerged in Japan, and local players, often starting as caddies who provided practice support and carried golf equipment, began entering the sport. The first national tournament took place in 1907, but it wasn’t until 1916 that a Japanese player competed. A major milestone came in 1918 when Makoto Inoue became the first Japanese golfer to win a domestic tournament. Early golf enthusiasts were typically from the privileged class—Inoue played at the White Beeches Country Club in New Jersey, while Rokuro Akaboshi learned golf at Princeton University.
As Japan’s economy boomed, golf became integral to corporate culture. However, the mid-1990s economic downturn weakened the salaryman culture, leading to a decline in the sport’s popularity. Recently, golf has seen a revival, shifting from a corporate obligation to a genuine athletic pursuit, with more young women joining the sport.
Golfing Etiquette in Japan: A Quick Guide
Golf in Japan follows strict etiquette, including punctuality (check-in 30 minutes before tee time), quiet behaviour in the clubhouse, and proper attire (collared shirts, casual trousers). Hats must be removed in restaurants, and gambling is prohibited. Caddies may report violations, and while tipping is not required, small gestures are encouraged. Players must adhere to designated tees and respect caddies. These customs reflect Japan's cultural emphasis on respect and tradition, making golf more than just a sport.
Discover Five Japanese Golf Brands Every Golfer Should Know
Honma Golf: A Premium Golf Brand
Honma Golf, a Japanese golf manufacturer, founded in January 1958 by the Honma brothers, is renowned for its craftsmanship and premium-quality products. The brand features two main series: the Tour World Series, designed for advanced golfers, and the BERES series, ideal for beginners and intermediate golfers. Both are highly rated for their exceptional "original shaft" technology and the ability to produce high-trajectory, straight shots with ease. Despite not being as widely recognized as some Western brands, Honma is a great choice for those seeking something unique and distinguished.
The company's origins trace back to a driving range where the Honma brothers initially focused on club repairs before transitioning into full-scale manufacturing. Their goal was to create golf clubs tailored for Asian players, offering superior quality and prestige compared to American brands. While golf equipment markets in the West were already well-established, Honma strategically positioned itself as a premium Asian brand, successfully expanding into emerging markets like Korea and China. Known for its "pure handmade craftsmanship," the company ensures every club is handcrafted using high-quality materials such as carbon fibre, gold, and platinum.
Below is a selection of Honma’s products:
Honma Golf TOUR WORLD TW747 (Released in 2018)
The Honma Golf TOUR WORLD TW747 (released in 2018) is recommended for intermediate players, with the 3W excelling in distance and the 5W providing easy targeting of the green. Its traditional wood-shaped head offers a comfortable grip and adapts well to changes in the lie. The 3W, featuring a carbon crown, has a low centre of gravity and a strong trajectory, making it ideal for maximizing distance. Meanwhile, the 5W has a stainless steel one-piece body, ensuring a higher centre of gravity and excellent spin control for enhanced performance on the green.
Honma Golf Ladies' BERES E-06 Driver 4STAR
The Honma Golf Ladies' BERES E-06 Driver 4STAR, released in March 2018, is designed for improved distance and ease of use. Its SPLIT GROOVE AREA sole slit enhances face flex for greater energy transfer, boosting performance. The shallow head design lowers the centre of gravity, making it easier to launch the ball while giving golfers confidence at address. This driver helps achieve higher, more consistent shots with minimal effort.
The Honma Golf BERES NX Driver Ladie
The Honma Golf BERES NX Driver Ladies is designed for maximum ball speed, making it the fastest in BERES history. It helps golfers push their limits and experience breakthrough speed. Featuring NX DRIVER TECHNOLOGY, it incorporates a Solid Carbon Crown with a unique lattice design that reduces weight while increasing rigidity, minimising energy loss at impact. This results in high initial velocity and low spin, enhancing overall performance. With its easy-to-hit design, this driver is ideal for beginners or those looking to improve their distance effortlessly.
SRIXON: A Global Sporting Brand
Founded in 1996, SRIXON has consistently developed cutting-edge sports gear, earning recognition for its contributions to athletes.
To strengthen its presence in the golf equipment industry, SRIXON took strategic steps to expand its influence. In 2001, the brand began signing contracts with professional golfers such as Laura Davies and Thomas Bjørn, aiming to establish a stronger foothold in the market. The following year, SRIXON expanded its production beyond golf balls, introducing the W-201 wood and I-201 iron clubs. By that time, the brand had already made a significant impact on the professional scene, with its contracted golfers securing 10 overseas tournament victories. To further enhance brand awareness, SRIXON replaced the previously used “New Breed” logo on professional golfers’ caps in Japan with the now-iconic SRIXON branding.
Today, SRIXON is a leading name in both golf and tennis, continuing to innovate and support professional athletes worldwide.
Below is a selection of SRIXON's products:
If you’re a beginner golfer looking for a solid iron, the Srixon ZX4 (2020 model) is a great pick! Known for its impressive distance performance, the ZX4 stands out despite Srixon being more of an “athlete’s brand.”
The 7-iron has a loft angle of 28.5 degrees, which is similar to other distance-focused irons. Plus, thanks to its hollow-body construction, it’s more forgiving on off-centre hits, making it easier to get consistent shots!
The Srixon ZX5 (2020 model) is another solid option, especially if you’re after a good balance of distance and control. With a 7-iron loft of 31 degrees, it’s in the standard range, making it a reliable pick for many golfers.
The Srixon ZX7 Mk2 (2022 model) is all about that buttery-soft feel at impact—a dream for skilled players who love feedback and control.
Designed with a thicker sweet spot where advanced players tend to strike, it delivers a solid, satisfying impact every time. Plus, its short irons are designed to prevent excessive spin, giving you better shot-shaping ability without losing control.
XXIO: A Legacy of Excellence in Golf
XXIO is a distinguished series of golf clubs first introduced by Dunlop Co., Ltd. in January 2000. The name "XXIO" carries a significant meaning—"XXI" represents "21" in Roman numerals, symbolising the 21st century, while the "O" stands for "GO ON" and "champion." Launched at the dawn of the new millennium, XXIO was designed with the ambition of helping golfers "become the champions of the 21st century."
Renowned for its superior quality and performance, XXIO has gained immense popularity worldwide, establishing itself as a global model loved not only in Japan but also across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Since its debut in 2000, XXIO has earned a reputation for its exceptional distance, ease of use, and distinctive impact sound, making it a firm favourite among both professionals and amateurs.
Below is a selection of XXIO's products:
The XXIO 12 (2021 model) is designed for effortless power and control, making use of Active Wing technology to stabilise the clubhead and reduce unwanted movement, ensuring a more consistent impact. Its innovative structure combines XXIO’s Flat Cup Face with Srixon’s Rebound Frame, expanding the sweet spot by 128% compared to the previous model, resulting in higher forgiveness and stronger rebound. This means easier, more consistent shots with maximum distance and smooth feel, perfect for golfers looking for effortless performance.
The XXIO 11 (2019 model) is built for stability and effortless power, featuring a 10g weight in the grip end to make the club easier to control. This helps golfers achieve an ideal backswing position with better lag, leading to a more stable downswing and faster clubhead speed at impact. As a result, shots become more consistent with increased distance. Plus, the high initial speed area is 172% larger than the previous model.
Dunlop Sports: A Legacy of Innovation in Golf
Dunlop Sports has been a pioneer in the golf industry for over 90 years, building a reputation for innovation and excellence. Their journey began in 1930 when they produced Japan's first golf balls in Kobe, and ever since, it has marked the beginning of Dunlop’s deep commitment to advancing golf technology.
Dunlop increased its market share by entering into the manufacturing of golf clubs in 1964. It began to make golf equipment to which high-performance accolades were given as it continued to advance its technological prowess. With the release of Dunlop’s golf clubs, the XXIO Series and SRIXON Series, the brand gained significant popularity in Japan. The XXIO Series is Dunlop’s top-of-the-line golf club series that is renowned for its user-friendliness and stellar results. The clubs were designed with the concept of being “easy to hit,” and these clubs are well regarded by not just elite Japanese professionals but also casual golfers in Japan. As for the SRIXON Series, the SRIXON Series caters to experience golfers who wish to execute controlled and precise shots. The concept of “fun to control” is SRIXON's directional ethos and intended for those who like to shape their shots and dance around their swing.
Another key selling point of Dunlop’s golf clubs is their durability. Even as Dunlop releases new models every two years, older models continue to perform exceptionally well. While some golfers may opt for the latest releases, the fact that these older models retain their high quality and durability makes them an excellent, affordable choice for both beginners and seasoned players.
Below is a selection of Dunlop's products:
Another key selling point of Dunlop’s golf clubs is their durability. Even as Dunlop releases new models every two years, older models continue to perform exceptionally well. While some golfers may opt for the latest releases, the fact that these older models retain their high quality and durability makes them an excellent, affordable choice for both beginners and seasoned players.
A 2023 Golf Digest Hot List Gold Winner, this model is a top choice for experienced and mid-level golfers. It offers impressive distance with a higher ball flight, helping shots land softly and hold the green—something players can clearly feel in their performance. With a sleek, athletic design yet surprisingly forgiving playability, it’s the perfect blend of power, control, and ease of use.
The XXIO 11 (2019 model) takes its signature lightweight design even further by adding a counterbalance weight in the grip end, making it an excellent choice for golfers with a 40m/s swing speed or those looking for extra power, including many female players. Its exceptional stability has earned it a loyal following among seniors and even some female. With a large sweet spot for a soft feel, this club is ideal for players who want to minimise big mistakes while still gaining impressive distance. However, golfers with higher swing speeds may want to consider re-shafting for optimal performance.
The XXIO 10 Navy is one of the most recommended models in the XXIO series, perfect for golfers of all skill levels, including beginners. Designed with a slightly longer shaft for added distance, it also features forgiving weight distribution, helping to maintain swing stability and minimise distance loss on mis-hits. With its compact swing feel and easy-to-hit design, this club makes achieving consistent, solid shots effortless.
