Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2022, the Japanese golf industry generated total revenues of 1.45 trillion Japanese yen, driven primarily by course fees and equipment sales.
- The golf market in Japan accounted for 2.1% of the global golf industry revenue in 2023, totaling approximately USD 8.7 billion.
- Corporate golf expenditures in Japan reached 450 billion yen in 2022, representing 31% of total industry spending.
- As of 2023, Japan had 2,162 18-hole equivalent golf courses, down 1.2% from 2022.
- Tokyo metropolitan area hosts 412 golf courses, comprising 19% of national total in 2023.
- Average size of Japanese golf courses is 6,500 yards, with 68% featuring bentgrass greens.
- 8.5 million Japanese adults played golf at least once in 2023, 6.7% penetration rate.
- Male golfers comprise 72% of total players, with 6.1 million active in 2023.
- Female participation rose to 2.4 million golfers, up 12% from 2022.
- Golf equipment market in Japan sales totaled 420 billion yen in 2023.
- Golf club sales volume reached 5.2 million units in FY2023.
- Driver market share: TaylorMade 28%, Callaway 22% in Japan 2023.
- Japanese golf industry projected to grow 3.8% CAGR to 1.8 trillion yen by 2028.
- Post-COVID recovery: Golf rounds up 25% to 120 million in 2023.
- Sustainability initiatives: 65% courses carbon-neutral goal by 2030.
Japan's golf industry is a major economic force, with thriving corporate, tourism, and equipment sectors.
Equipment and Apparel
- Golf equipment market in Japan sales totaled 420 billion yen in 2023.
- Golf club sales volume reached 5.2 million units in FY2023.
- Driver market share: TaylorMade 28%, Callaway 22% in Japan 2023.
- Women's golf apparel sales grew 18% to 95 billion yen in 2023.
- Custom-fitted irons accounted for 42% of iron sales in 2023.
- Golf ball sales hit 120 million units annually in Japan 2023.
- Premium golf shoes (>15,000 yen) captured 35% market in 2023.
- Used equipment resale volume: 2.1 million clubs traded in 2022.
- Golf bag sales revenue: 68 billion yen, up 9% YoY in 2023.
- Japanese brands hold 55% domestic club market share in 2023.
- Rangefinder sales: 450,000 units, 25% growth in 2023.
- Activewear golf apparel segment: 52 billion yen in FY2023.
- Putter market: Odyssey leads with 19% share in Japan 2023.
- Golf glove sales volume: 8.5 million pairs in 2023.
- E-commerce golf gear sales: 180 billion yen, 41% total in 2023.
- Hybrid club adoption rate: 78% among golfers buying in 2023.
- Luxury golf watches sales for golfers: 12 billion yen 2023.
- Wedge set sales: 1.8 million units, Titleist 32% share.
- Sustainable apparel (recycled materials): 22% market penetration 2023.
- Golf umbrella and rain gear: 28 billion yen revenue in rainy 2023.
- Fitness tracker integrations for golf: 320,000 units sold 2023.
- Junior club sets: 450,000 sold, 20% growth post-pandemic.
- Golf trolley sales: 1.2 million units, motorized 55% in 2023.
- Headcover market: Personalized sales up 30% to 15 billion yen.
- Golf simulator gear bundles: 85 billion yen segment in 2023.
- Apparel export from Japan golf brands: 45 billion yen in 2022.
- Grip replacement services generated 9.5 billion yen in 2023.
Equipment and Apparel Interpretation
Golf Courses and Facilities
- As of 2023, Japan had 2,162 18-hole equivalent golf courses, down 1.2% from 2022.
- Tokyo metropolitan area hosts 412 golf courses, comprising 19% of national total in 2023.
- Average size of Japanese golf courses is 6,500 yards, with 68% featuring bentgrass greens.
- 1,250 Japanese golf courses offer night golf facilities as of 2023.
- Public golf courses in Japan number 850, accounting for 39% of all facilities in 2022.
- 95% of Japanese golf courses are private membership clubs as of end-2023.
- Kyoto prefecture has 78 golf courses, with an average age of 35 years in 2023.
- 720 Japanese golf courses renovated their irrigation systems between 2020-2023.
- Hokkaido region boasts 150 golf courses, 7% of national total, per 2023 data.
- Average green fee for weekdays at Japanese courses is 12,500 yen in 2023.
- 340 courses in Japan have PGA-approved practice facilities as of 2023.
- Okinawa prefecture's 42 golf courses average 7,200 yards in length.
- 1,100 Japanese golf courses use solar power for at least 20% of energy needs in 2023.
- Chiba prefecture leads with 156 golf courses, 7.2% national share in 2022.
- 28% of Japanese courses (605 facilities) offer foot golf alongside standard play in 2023.
- Average clubhouse size at Japanese golf courses is 4,200 square meters per 2023 survey.
- 450 courses implemented AI-based course management systems by end-2023.
- Kanagawa has 112 golf courses, with 85% ocean-view layouts in 2023.
- 15 historic courses over 100 years old remain operational in Japan as of 2023.
- 920 facilities provide electric cart rentals, covering 85% of rounds played in 2022.
- Hyogo prefecture's 89 courses average 15,800 yen peak green fees.
- 67% of courses (1,450) have women's tees adjusted post-2020 standards.
- Shizuoka boasts 135 golf courses, highest density per capita in Japan 2023.
- 310 short courses under 5,000 yards operate nationwide in 2023.
- Aichi prefecture has 98 courses, 55% with resort-style accommodations.
- 1,050 courses feature bentgrass fairways, dominant at 78% share in 2023.
- Japan's total golf course acreage spans 180,000 hectares as of 2022.
Golf Courses and Facilities Interpretation
Golfer Participation
- 8.5 million Japanese adults played golf at least once in 2023, 6.7% penetration rate.
- Male golfers comprise 72% of total players, with 6.1 million active in 2023.
- Female participation rose to 2.4 million golfers, up 12% from 2022.
- Average age of Japanese golfers is 52.3 years, with 28% under 40 in 2023.
- Corporate golfers number 3.2 million, playing 45% of all rounds in 2022.
- Junior golfers (under 20) total 850,000, a 15% increase since 2020.
- 4.1 million golfers play more than 10 rounds annually in Japan 2023.
- Tokyo has 1.8 million resident golfers, highest urban concentration.
- Senior golfers (65+) make up 35% or 2.97 million players in 2023.
- Beginner golfers joining lessons numbered 620,000 in FY2023.
- Women's weekend play rate is 62%, versus 48% for men in 2023 survey.
- 1.2 million golfers use golf simulators indoors monthly in 2023.
- Average handicap for male Japanese golfers is 18.4, females 32.1 in 2023.
- Kansai region golfers total 2.1 million, 25% national share.
- 28% of golfers are repeat family players, up from 22% in 2020.
- Solo golfers account for 15% of tee times booked in 2023.
- University golf club members number 120,000 across Japan in 2023.
- 920,000 golfers traveled domestically for golf in 2023.
- Average rounds per golfer annually is 22.4 in Japan 2023.
- 18-29 age group participation hit 1.05 million, 12% growth YoY.
- Handicap tracking app users total 3.8 million golfers in 2023.
- Weekend warriors (Fri-Sun players) are 68% of total golfers.
- Foreign resident golfers in Japan number 250,000 in 2023.
- Repeat lesson takers are 2.1 million annually in 2023.
- Golf club membership holders total 4.5 million in Japan 2023.
- Driving range only players: 2.8 million, 33% of participants.
Golfer Participation Interpretation
Industry Trends and Economics
- Japanese golf industry projected to grow 3.8% CAGR to 1.8 trillion yen by 2028.
- Post-COVID recovery: Golf rounds up 25% to 120 million in 2023.
- Sustainability initiatives: 65% courses carbon-neutral goal by 2030.
- Tech integration: 42% courses use booking apps, up from 18% in 2020.
- Membership decline halts: +2% growth to 2.8 million members in 2023.
- Women and youth influx: Projected 20% participation rise by 2027.
- Indoor golf venues expand to 5,200 locations by end-2023.
- Economic impact from golf tourism: +15% to 350 billion yen by 2025 forecast.
- Labor shortage: 12% workforce gap projected for 2025 without automation.
- E-sports golf viewership in Japan: 4.5 million in 2023 tournaments.
- Course consolidation: 50 closures expected 2024-2026 due to costs.
- Premium pricing trend: Average fee up 8.2% since 2021.
- Health benefits promotion: Government campaigns reach 10 million via golf.
- M&A activity: 28 golf course deals worth 150 billion yen in 2023.
- Data analytics adoption: 55% facilities by 2025 projection.
- Overseas investment in Japanese courses: USD 2.5 billion since 2020.
- Wellness golf packages: 30% revenue growth projected 2024-2028.
- Regulatory changes: Land tax reforms boost profitability 5-7% by 2025.
- Simulator market CAGR 12% to 120 billion yen by 2030.
- Diversity hiring: Women in golf ops roles up to 28% in 2023.
- Inflation impact: Costs up 11%, fees adjusted 6% in 2023.
- Metaverse golf events: 500,000 virtual participants in 2023 pilots.
- Export growth for gear: +14% to 110 billion yen by 2027.
- Aging infrastructure renewal: 300 billion yen investments planned 2024-2028.
- Social golf leagues: 1.5 million members, 18% annual growth.
- Crypto payments at courses: 5% adoption by luxury facilities 2025 forecast.
Industry Trends and Economics Interpretation
Market Overview
- In fiscal year 2022, the Japanese golf industry generated total revenues of 1.45 trillion Japanese yen, driven primarily by course fees and equipment sales.
- The golf market in Japan accounted for 2.1% of the global golf industry revenue in 2023, totaling approximately USD 8.7 billion.
- Corporate golf expenditures in Japan reached 450 billion yen in 2022, representing 31% of total industry spending.
- The average annual revenue per golf course in Japan was 620 million yen in 2023, up 4.8% from 2022.
- Golf-related tourism contributed 280 billion yen to Japan's economy in 2023, with 15 million domestic trips.
- In 2023, online golf bookings generated 120 billion yen, a 22% year-over-year growth.
- The premium golf segment in Japan, priced over 20,000 yen per round, held 45% market share in 2022.
- Total golf merchandise sales in Japan hit 350 billion yen in FY2023, boosted by post-pandemic demand.
- Japan's golf industry GDP contribution was 0.8% or 4.2 trillion yen in 2022.
- Event and tournament revenues from golf in Japan totaled 85 billion yen in 2023.
- In 2023, Japan's golf industry employed 450,000 people directly and indirectly.
- The resale market for used golf clubs in Japan was valued at 60 billion yen in 2022.
- Golf simulator market revenues in Japan reached 45 billion yen in FY2023.
- Advertising spend in Japanese golf media was 28 billion yen in 2023.
- Japan's golf industry tax revenues contributed 320 billion yen to national coffers in 2022.
- Membership fee collections from Japanese golf clubs totaled 550 billion yen in 2023.
- The golf apparel sub-market in Japan grew to 180 billion yen in 2023, up 7.5%.
- Venture capital investments in Japanese golf tech startups reached 12 billion yen in 2023.
- Japan's golf industry export value was 95 billion yen in 2022, mainly clubs and apparel.
- Insurance premiums for golf-related activities in Japan totaled 22 billion yen in FY2023.
- Licensing and endorsement deals in Japanese pro golf generated 65 billion yen in 2023.
- The golf course maintenance market in Japan was valued at 210 billion yen in 2022.
- Digital content and apps for golf in Japan earned 35 billion yen in revenue in 2023.
- Corporate sponsorships for Japanese golf events hit 110 billion yen in 2023.
- The golf travel agency market in Japan processed 150 billion yen in bookings for 2023.
- Food and beverage sales at Japanese golf courses totaled 140 billion yen in FY2022.
- Golf lesson service revenues in Japan reached 75 billion yen in 2023.
- Pro shop sales across Japanese golf facilities summed to 290 billion yen in 2023.
- Japan's golf industry R&D spending was 18 billion yen in fiscal 2023.
- Cart rental and caddie fees contributed 160 billion yen to industry revenues in 2022.
Market Overview Interpretation
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