September 23, 2008 - A Grand Opening in Niseko, Japan
by Bennett Galloway
Who says luxurious golf in Japan is a thing of the past? Hilton Hotels and Resorts has stepped up to raise the bar on luxury and service by providing a golf experience seldom found in today's Japan. Give a wee nod to the doorman as you strut from the entrance of the new Hilton Niseko Village straight into your golf cart, and a mere 30 seconds later you are on the first tee.
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August 29, 2008 - Showa no Mori The little course that could
by Willy Badger
Once upon a time a super rich electronics company in Japan built their private golf course to play setai golf. Setai golf is a term used in Japan as a way to close the deal for businesses. Basically, they invite potential clients up for a round of golf, lavish them with Gifts, Geishas and Guarantees.
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June 27, 2008 - The Mystery of Miura
by Bennett Galloway
Ever wonder who makes the best golf clubs in the world? In this feature we are going to try to shed some light on the mystery behind one of the worlds best and most sought after golf gear companies, Miura Golf. I recently had the pleasure of meeting and sitting down with the Asia and Japan Representative for Miura Herb Wakabayashi.
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May 2, 2008 - Interview with Hiroshi Tahara Pro
by Willy Badger
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to sit down with a legend in Japanese golf, Hiroshi Tahara. He is a former regular Tour Pro and the current honorary head pro for Gunma Country Club. Located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Gunma Country Club features a spectacular panoramic view from the club house restaurant to the nearby mountains.
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Jan. 28, 2008 - How to do lifting!
by Willy Badger
Whether you like it or not, we are always trying to impress our friends. It may be a long drive or an eagle putt. It may be the clothes you wear or the club you swing. If you are beyond any of those possibilities. I offer you a different approach to being the center of attention on the golf course.
Well. . . for at least 30 seconds anyways.
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Jan 19, 2008 - Asia's Sleeping 'Tiger' Awakes
by Bennett Galloway
Smiling faces, great food, unbelievable hospitality··· and now multiple world-class golf courses make Thailand the perfect place for winter golf getaways. Thailand has long been a favorite for ex-pats living in Asia looking for rest and relaxation and these days you'll even find detoxification retreats to rid you of your self inflicted Johnnie Walker and Habana's!
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Nov. 8, 2007 - Midriffs Short Shorts and a Slap in the Face
by Willy Badger
If I had a love child with Nancy Lopez in University, our daughter would be twenty and playing on the LPGA tour. That would make me a concerned Daddy.
"She wears short shorts If you dare wear short shorts NAIR for short shorts."
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Nov. 2, 2007 - A Pebbles' Throw from Tokyo
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Kawana Hotel & Golf Club
by Bennett Galloway
The Kawana hotel opened its doors in 1936 and features two of the finest coastal links courses you'll find anywhere in the world.
In its heyday the resort was a buzz with valets scurrying about in service of their cherished customers who comprised the most discerning of Japanese and overseas society.
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Oct. 7, 2007 - Golf Lingo
by by Willy Badger
When you arrive at your course of choice, you are usually greeted by a barrage of bag handlers. It is wise to close all your zippers on your golf bag, so when the handlers get your bag out of your trunk you won't lose anything. In Japan image is almost everything so maybe give your car a once over before people you don't know go foraging through your stuff in NASCAR-like pit stop speed.
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Aug. 30, 2007 - Guilt and the Golf Game in Japan
by by Willy Badger
I wake up at 6 am. I am psyched up for a great day of golf. My wife and kids are still sound asleep. I make my breakfast. Yes, no nato for me. I take out my frozen two liter Aquarius bottle from the freezer. Bugs Bunny's Foghorn Leghorn's advice to the young chicken hawk, rings in my head, "Keep your eye on the ball.
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Aug. 11, 2007 - The Bell Canadian Open
by by Willy Badger
Beavers, Sasquatches and SkiDoo Suits. Championship
Nestled in the vast barren freezing tundra is a country called Canada where live a bevy of beaver loving brave Canadians who bear the beastly bleak temperatures to compete in a 5 million dollar Tiger-less Canadian Open.
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Jul. 20, 2007 - Curse of the Claret Jug
by Willy Badger
In 1875 Tom Morris Jr., the first name to be engraved on The Claret Jug, was playing in an exhibition with his father against Willie and Mungo Park. Combined, the four men won the The Claret Jug 13 of the first 15 times. During that match Tom Morris Jr., was informed that his pregnant wife was rushed to the hospital.
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Jul 3, 2007 - Golf in Niseko, Asia's Answer to Whistler
by Bennett Galloway
When you think of Hokkaido it usually first brings up images of pristine powder snow topped mountains and vast flat wide open expanses, but when the snowfields turn to green meadows, golf takes center stage and the people here trade in their boards for sticks.
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Apr 30, 2007 - Game On!
by Bennett Galloway
The golf season is well underway and it's time to get out and enjoy some of the two thousand three hundred and forty courses Japan has to offer! Whether you've been active or on the couch since ski season, warming up your body for golf is as equally important for the athlete, as it is for the couch potato!
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Feb 14, 2007 - Japan Golf Tours
by Bennett Galloway
Finally, a company dedicated to helping international golfers get access to and experience some of the most amazing golf available anywhere in the world, and it's right here in Japan! I had an opportunity to speak with owner and founder John Thornton, about what led him to creating golf tours to Japan.
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Dec 6, 2006 - Tom Doak Interview
by Paul Jones
Tom Doak has emerged as one of the most prolific and respected designers of golf courses in the modern day. I had the opportunity recently to ask a few questions about the man, golf course design and impressions of golf in Japan.
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Nov 24, 2006 - Gearing Up for Winter Golf
by Bennett Galloway
The summer heat has left us and the leaves are beginning to fall. 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!
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Sep 1, 2006 - Respecting Your Game
by Bennett Galloway
I had the pleasure of having lunch with a very inspirational person a while back whose face you might recognize. Bobby Valentine is the manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines baseball club, an engaging speaker, management guru, and an accomplished ball room dancer to boot!
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June 10, 2006 - Adrift in a Sea of Golf Balls
by Bennett Galloway
I'm often asked by my students what kind of ball I prefer to play. My usual response is "lost ones"!! Seriously though, there is an absolute "tidal wave" of choices out there providing you with a full spectrum of performance characteristics to choose from.
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April 5, 2006 - The Secret to Scoring Well
"Shhh.....Don't Tell Anyone"!
by Bennett Galloway
People often ask me what the most important factor, or part, of the golf swing is? If you didn't know, it's "Consistency". It doesn't matter how erratically you jab, swipe, poke or slash at the ball, if you can do it the same way every time, you can score well!
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is a long time resident of Japan and the Director of Golf for Gotemba Golf Club and Belle View Nagao G.C., in Shizuoka, near Mt. Fuji. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and a teaching professional, providing lessons for all ages and abilities, in English or Japanese.
has been living in Japan for 12 years. He is a "Daidogei" comic juggler and golf comedian living in Gunma, Japan. In 2008, Willy's mission is to help foreign golfers feel at ease playing golf in Japan and to introduce them to the beautiful Hot Springs & Outdoor Activities of Gunma.
