Traditional golf comes with a lot of barriers. The equipment costs add up quickly, and there are various dress codes and etiquette rules that can make newcomers feel out of place. Many people find themselves intimidated by the formality and worried about making mistakes on the course.
Picture this: you’re at a local park in Hokkaido, watching three generations of a Japanese family laughing together as they take turns hitting colorful balls across a modest grass course. No golf carts, no dress codes, no pressure. Just pure enjoyment. That’s Park Golf in a nutshell.
The whole thing started in 1983 when Chisato Tendo created something that strips away golf’s barriers while keeping what makes the game satisfying.
What you’ll need to get started
Here’s the beautiful simplicity: you need exactly three things, and that’s it.
A club – This isn’t your typical golf club. It looks more like a wooden mallet attached to a graphite shaft. The head is center-shafted with virtually no loft, weighing about 500 grams. Most are crafted from hardwood like persimmon or laminated maple. When you strike the ball, there’s this satisfying “thock” sound that’s completely different from regular golf. Some of the premium models from companies like Mizuno feature gorgeous wood grain patterns that make them almost too pretty to use.
A ball – Forget everything you know about golf balls. These are larger, made from smooth urethane, and come in colors that would make a highlighter jealous—bright orange, electric pink, neon yellow. They’re designed to roll, not fly, weighing around 90-95 grams with specific bounce characteristics that reward good ground reading over power.
A tee – Nothing fancy. Most courses provide reusable rubber tees that work perfectly with the Park Golf ball design.
The gear simplicity is liberating. No cart full of clubs to choose from, no endless decisions about which iron to use. One club, one ball, one game.
And at 1Club, we make it even easier — all equipment is provided.
So you can just show up, grab your gear, and hit the course. No prep, no hassle, just play.
How the game works
Park Golf courses are wonderfully modest affairs. We’re talking 9 to 18 holes, each stretching no more than 100 meters—most fall between 30-80 meters. The greens aren’t the manicured perfection; they’re natural grass surfaces with character, bumps, and slopes that make every shot interesting.
At 1Club, you’ll find a full 18-hole course where every hole flows naturally with the landscape — no forced layouts, just thoughtful design that works with the terrain. The goal remains beautifully simple: get your ball from tee to hole in the fewest strokes possible.
Course design elements
What makes these courses special is how they work with nature rather than against it. Designers incorporate existing trees, gentle hills, and natural obstacles into the layout. Some courses even let you play holes in different directions depending on conditions or just for variety. Many integrate seamlessly into public parks, becoming genuine community spaces where families gather.
A game for all generations
The demographic tells the story: couples enjoy it as a low-pressure, fun way to spend time together outdoors, retirees love it for the gentle exercise and social interaction, families appreciate the multi-generational appeal, and beginners find it approachable without feeling overwhelmed.
Beyond Japan: international growth
While Japan remains the heartland, Park Golf has quietly spread to other countries. South Korea has embraced it with several hundred courses, and communities in Hawaii and California have established their own facilities. The sport’s emphasis on accessibility translates well across different cultures.
International tournaments exist, though they maintain the community-focused spirit rather than becoming overly competitive. It’s competitive enough to be engaging, casual enough to stay fun.
Play tips and rules
The strategy revolves around the ball’s rolling characteristics. You’ll spend time reading the ground like a detective, looking for subtle slopes and understanding how the ball will react to different surfaces.
But don’t worry — you won’t be out there all day. Most rounds wrap up in about two hours, making Park Golf the perfect balance of focus and fun.
Basic rules stay straightforward:
- One club, one ball — that’s the whole setup
Park Golf uses a single wooden club and a larger, softer ball designed specifically for grassy terrain. No need to haul a bag of gear — it’s refreshingly simple. - Courses are short — and that’s the point
Most courses are 9 or 18 holes, with much shorter distances than traditional golf. That means quicker games (about 2 hours) and more time to enjoy the day. - Tee off and aim for the fewest strokes
Just like traditional golf, your goal is to complete each hole using as few strokes as possible. You tee off from a designated area and play your ball to the hole. - Furthest from the hole? You’re up
After tee shots, the player whose ball is furthest from the hole takes the next shot. Play continues in that order until everyone sinks their ball. - Out of bounds or in the water? That’s a stroke
Mistakes happen. If your ball goes out of bounds or into a water hazard, you’ll take a one-stroke penalty and keep playing. - Good vibes only — keep it respectful
Players are expected to respect the course and each other. Fix divots, rake bunkers, and keep the pace moving. It’s all about sharing the space. - Lowest score wins (just like regular golf)
Count your strokes for each hole, add them up at the end, and the lowest total takes the win. Friendly competition encouraged.
The etiquette is refreshingly relaxed. If the group ahead is slow, you can skip to the next hole—just give them a heads up. It’s golf without the stuffiness.
Play it at 1Club
No membership. No dress code. No pressure. Just $20 a round — and kids 5 and under play free.
At 1Club, we’ve flipped the script on traditional golf and built something way more fun. Think of it as your new go-to for an easy, social day out—designed around park golf but elevated with all the extras.
- Just one club and a big, colorful ball. That’s it.
- A short-format 18-hole course set across a beautifully landscaped 5-acre stretch.
- Easy to learn, hard to forget—perfect for first-timers and lifelong golfers alike. It’s designed to be fun—not fussy.
- Play a full round in just 2 hours, so you still have time for dinner or drinks after (or both).
What sets 1Club apart
This isn’t just a course—it’s an experience:
- Curated sound system plays feel-good tunes across the course
- Digital scoreboards track your shots in real time
- The bar area keeps the good vibes going with cocktails, mocktails, and snacks
Whether you’re surprising your partner with something fresh or rallying your crew for weekend plans, 1Club delivers. Come for the chill vibes, stay for the mountain views, and sip on one of our signature Great Gorge Refreshers.
Watch and learn
We’ve embedded a few short videos below to give you a sense of how it all works:
Video 1 – A quick guide to Park Golf basics
Video 2 – Prepare the perfect shoot
Video 3 – Park Golf rules & penalties
Video 4 – Teeing off & Starting the game
Our conclusion
Park Golf succeeds because it remembers what makes golf enjoyable while discarding what makes it intimidating. There’s something deeply satisfying about the simplicity—one club, one ball, one straightforward objective.
The Japanese have a concept called “ikigai,” which roughly translates to finding joy in life’s simple, meaningful activities. Park Golf embodies this philosophy completely. It proves that sometimes the best innovations come from asking, “What if we made this simpler?” rather than “What if we made this more complicated?”
Find a course, grab a club, and see what happens. You might discover that golf was always meant to be this enjoyable.
Ready to give it a try? Find a course near you and see what the fuss is about. Reserve your round online or by phone today! We can’t wait to welcome you to 1Club.