Golf Season is in Full Swing
When breathtaking scenery is par for the course, you sometimes need to remind yourself to keep your eyes on the ball.
Each year, more and more golfers, from within Japan and abroad, visit Niseko to play it's many world-class golf courses. Nine fantastic courses are situated within 45 minute's drive from Hirafu, so it serves as an unbeatable destination for a summer golfing holiday.
What makes golf in Niseko so wonderful?
The meticulousness and pride of the Japanese people manifests in the most stunningly manicured golf courses. Fairways, greens, roughs and bunkers in all of Niseko's nearby golf courses are almost always preened to perfection, allowing you to enjoy a level of detail in course preparation that you will rarely find anywhere else.
Driving toward the clubhouse-come-medieval castle at A-Brand Golf Course in nearby Akaigawa.
The cool Hokkaido climate makes for comfortable days on the course. Beautiful blue skies, bright green grass and mild temperatures make meandering a golf course in Mt Yotei's shadow a memorable moment. Golfers from the heat and humidity of Tokyo, Osaka and other southern Japanese areas, and from the tropical climates of mainland Asia, are making the most of this, and visiting in greater numbers each year.
Finally, the huge gap between the cold temperatures of Hokkaido's winters and the warmth of it's summers means that it has the perfect climate for growing grass. Just as Hokkaido's farmers are blessed with perfect conditions for growing vegetables and raising livestock, its green-keepers are blessed with lush grass that keeps on growing evenly.
Combine all of this with the modern amenities and tourist convenience of Niseko's resort community, and you quickly understand why a summer holiday in Niseko is a golf-lovers experience not to be missed.
Where and when to play
Every fairway, green, bunker and rough is preened to perfection.
Golf season begins the moment ski season ends here in Niseko. In fact, there is some overlap with early golfers hitting the course in late April while keen springtime skiers were still on the piste. The season, for most courses, will run right through until the snow returns in November.
Three of the best and most convenient golf courses to play in Niseko are:
Hanazono Golf Course - a stunning 18 hole, par 72 course with a spectacular view, new restaurant and recently refurbished clubhouse.
Niseko Golf Course - Arnold Palmer designed and 15 minutes from Hirafu, the par 3 5th at this course is particularly memorable. Shoot accurately over a pond to the green in the shadows of Mt Yotei.
Niseko Village Golf Course, a par-73 championship style golf course, this course is one of the few in the world which has a par 6! Voted Japan's Best Golf Course in 2015, and shortlisted every year since.
Other courses, such as A-Brand Golf Course in Akaigawa, Jisan Golf Club in Otaru and the four courses in nearby Rusutsu are open from May to November.
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Check out the opening dates for the Niseko Summer Gondola.
