The anime series "Oi! Tombo" is attracting attention as it has been decided that it will be broadcast in 2024. I'm sure there are many fans who have become interested in the sport of golf as a result of watching this work. This work depicts the unique fun of golf, but also depicts a human drama between deep characters, and it seems that many people have noticed the charm of golf introduced in this work while enjoying it purely as a manga work. You can see many such messages on SNS, etc., and similar to those opinions, you will see opinions such as "I'm interested in golf, but the hurdle seems high." It is true that golf seems difficult to start compared to other sports. However, if you follow the steps properly, it is a sport that can be started relatively easily, so in this article, I would like to introduce how to start golf that anyone can easily start, as a writer who has played golf for over 10 years. It is a sport that I can recommend to anime fans who tend to be physically inactive, so if you are an anime fan who has become interested in golf through this work, please try playing golf.
Surprisingly, this work is read by people other than golfers as well
As mentioned at the beginning, this work is known to be enjoyed by many people other than golfers. Golf manga is generally serialized in small volumes in golf magazines, so it tends to go unnoticed by manga fans who are not interested in golf, but this work has transcended the boundaries of golf magazines and has grown into a work loved by many manga fans.
There are surprisingly few golf anime
The decision to make this work into an anime is perhaps the best example of this trend. Golf manga is generally accepted by a fairly niche demographic, so it tends not to be made into an anime that requires a large number of fans, but this work overcame this handicap and successfully made it to the point of being made into an anime.
The long-awaited anime adaptation may make it even more well-known
This is already a very well-known golf manga, but the anime adaptation may make it even more well-known. This work depicts the charm of golf, so the more attention this work receives through the anime, the more people may want to try golf.
Maybe it will spark an interest in golf?
There is no doubt that this work will be an opportunity for many anime fans to become interested in golf. Recently, it is often thought that golf is a sport that only middle-aged people tend to pay attention to, but golf is also very interesting for young people to play, and with the current cries of young people turning away from golf, I think it is very important for the golf industry that more young people become interested in golf.
It seems like a high hurdle, but...
Thus, I think the number of people interested in golf will increase, but on the other hand, the image that it is difficult to start playing golf is a cause for concern. This is because there is an image that golf is something that only middle-aged people who are financially well-off play, so many people think that it is difficult for young people to start.
It looks like it would cost a lot of money
There are serious financial concerns about golf, and many people are unable to start playing due to financial issues. Golf is known to be one of the most expensive hobbies, and some people have even quit golf due to financial reasons, even though they used to play it.
There are also benefits
As you can see, golf tends to be a little more expensive than other hobbies, but it's also true that it has more benefits than that. Golf is a game where a large group of people spend time communicating with each other while playing the course, so it's often used as a tool to build relationships at work, making it easy to connect directly to business. Therefore, if you're about to start working as a new member of society, being able to play golf should be a weapon in your arsenal.
Recommended as a sport you can enjoy for a long time
And once you start golf, you can enjoy it for a long time. It's not a sport that requires repeated intense exercise, but rather a sport that uses your body slowly over time, making it a sport that's easy to continue even as you get older. It's very rare to find a sport that you can take your time with over a long period of time, so this is a pretty big advantage.
Get your golf equipment second-hand
Now, let's get into the specifics of how to start playing golf, but you can't start playing golf without first getting your own clubs. The biggest expense when starting golf is the clubs, so how should you go about collecting them? My number one recommendation is to buy your equipment second-hand.
You can get all your clubs for 50,000 yen
Golf clubs vary in price depending on the year they were released and their performance, but you can probably get a set for around 50,000 yen if you're looking for something cheap. Unlike cars, golf clubs don't often break down over time even if they're vintage, so even if they're second-hand, they can basically be used in the same way as new ones. Therefore, it can be said that there are many benefits to buying second-hand.
Make use of flea market apps
We also recommend using flea market apps to purchase consumables such as golf balls. Of course, you can buy new balls, but in the beginning, you will lose a lot of balls, so it's best to stock up on cheap ones. By the way, the performance of the ball doesn't really affect your golf score, so even cheap ones will be fine.
You can wear UNIQLO clothes!
When it comes to clothing, which can be surprisingly expensive, golf can be done quite cheaply. Compared to sports such as baseball, there are no set uniforms, so you can wear anything as long as it's reasonably well-dressed. You can even wear a collared shirt that you normally wear, and if you don't have one, you can easily buy one at Uniqlo.
Learn the rules and etiquette
Once you have gathered a certain amount of equipment, it's time to learn the rules. Golf is a sport in which the rules are well-established compared to other sports, so it's important to understand them to a certain extent. Due to the nature of the sport, which is played on a course rich in nature, there are many rules that affect your own safety, so we recommend that you understand them to a certain extent.
Pay attention to etiquette when dressing
Pay particular attention to etiquette when dressing for golf. If you go to a proper golf course, you may not be allowed in if you are not properly dressed, so you need to check in advance to avoid embarrassment. In particular, jeans and miniskirts are typical no-no clothes, so be careful.
The rules are surprisingly simple
Though the etiquette is very complicated, the basic rules are simple. Simply put, the game is about hitting the ball as few times as possible and finishing when it hits the hole, so it's easier to understand than other sports like baseball.
Learn little by little in practice
And above all, you don't need to understand all the rules and etiquette. Even among people who actually play golf, there are few who say they remember all the detailed rules of golf, and everyone tends to remember them to a certain extent. Therefore, it's okay if you understand the rules to the extent that you don't feel embarrassed compared to others. If there is anything you need, learn it as you go.
First, practice at the driving range
Once you have mastered the basic equipment and have a good grasp of the rules, it's time to start practicing. It is not recommended to play at a golf course right away. You won't be able to hit the ball, and if you take too long, you'll get in the way of the people behind you, so it's important to practice at the driving range until you can handle the clubs properly.
Practice to fly the ball straight
The most important thing in golf is not to hit the ball far, but to hit it straight. Even if you don't hit the ball that far, you can still play on the golf course as long as the ball flies straight. If you try to hit the ball too far, it becomes more difficult to control and you may end up hitting the ball in a place you don't intend.
The 9th iron is the foundation
First, practice using a 9th iron to hit the ball straight. The 9th iron is said to be the foundation of all irons, and once you can handle the 9th iron, you're a beginner. After that, gradually decrease the iron number to 8th iron, 7th iron, and so on, until you can use a long, quirky iron.
Virtual golf is also available!
Recently, in addition to golf courses, there are also places where you can practice golf in the form of virtual golf. Generally, they tend to be cheaper than golf courses, so if you are short on money, it is a good idea to try using a virtual golf course. Recently, the accuracy of virtual golf courses has improved considerably, and there are places where you can practice in a manner similar to the real thing, so be sure to make active use of them at the beginning.
Let's go around the course!
Once you get used to practicing and your ball starts flying straight, try playing on a golf course. The best part of golf is playing on a course surrounded by nature, so once you get used to it, it's important to actually go out on the course and experience the fun of golf. It's boring if you just keep practicing and collecting information. Even if you're not very good at it, I think there's meaning in just going out on the golf course, so once you get used to it, try it out.
Play with people who are used to playing golf
However, at the beginning, you probably won't have a good grasp of the rules, and above all, there are many natural dangers lurking on the course, such as cliffs and sudden thunderstorms. For this reason, at first, it's best to play with people who are somewhat used to playing golf. It can be fun to play the course with other beginners, but it's not recommended from a safety standpoint.
Half courses are recommended
There are half courses on golf courses. While a normal golf course consists of 18 holes, a half course can be played in 9 holes. At first, try to get a feel for playing on a half course rather than a full-scale course. Also, half courses tend to be located closer to urban centers because they take up less space than normal golf courses. It's quite easy to get to, so try to actively go to half courses at first.
Aim for a score in the 130s
If you're playing golf for the first time, your goal is a score of 130. Try to hit the ball 130 times over 18 holes, or hit the ball 65 times if you're playing a half course. As a beginner, it's a good result if you can get between 130 and 120, so it might be fun to try to aim for a number around that range.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we've introduced the appeal of golf and how to get started to fans who have become interested in golf itself through this work, "Oi! Dragonfly". It does cost a fair amount of money to start playing golf, but it's a sport that's worth the money, so if you're an anime fan who usually just watches anime and doesn't have time to exercise, try playing golf. If you start playing golf and learn more about the rules, you'll be able to enjoy the story of this work in more detail, so it's a two-for-one deal. It's also a very useful skill for working adults, so please feel free to start playing golf.
