Thread: Just tried the Edogawa Line short course

I'd heard about this place recently, and since it's not too far from where I live I decided to head over and give it a try for practice.

Edogawa Line Short Course is 18 par-3 holes, averaging just 50-60 yards each (the longest is a 132), so I thought it would be good for some pitching, chipping and putting practice. The price on weekends is 3000yen to play as much as you want (I played two rounds).

It was... interesting. The weather probably had something to do with it, but the ground and greens were in pretty rough shape. Everything was rock-hard despite the warm weather. The greens in particular were not well maintained and were extremely uneven. No bunkers, so no chance to practice sand shots.

The big downside, though, were the crowds. You know the logjam that always forms on #5 at Windsor? Just about each hole was like that, getting worse as the day went on. I joined up with a father and son for the first round (solo play is fine, they were just behind me and we started talking while waiting to play. They knew about Golfjin, btw), which cut down the waiting a bit, but on my second time around there were usually two groups ahead of me on each tee.

All in all, it might be a fun way to hang out with friends over a few beers, but don't make a special trip for it unless you're in the area. I might go again by myself if I'm free on a weekday. I could also see going with my wife (who's never played) and son when he gets a bit older (there were lots of beginner golfers there (more beginner than me, even), as well as parents with pre-teen kids who were learning the game).

On the upside, I shot my first 72!

I've always wanted to try that but don't want to drive there.
Can you hire clubs there?
Been thinking of riding down the river with a pitching wedge and putter on some of my days off when it's probably not busy and having a hit there.

i used to play down there quite a bit when i lived across the river. putter and a few wedges, and a few old balls.

weekdays are a lot better (wednesday is seniors day though if i rememer correctly - worth avoiding) in terms of crowds. after 3 they have a cheaper rate too, play till sunset for 1000 yen and we also used to play in the morning before it opened (for free!) but with the ok of the management. we had to get off at 7 i think. in summer we'd start at 5 & get in 2 hours golf then go to work.

you're right Marc, the greens are a bit rough. and be warned the place stinks after a typhoon/heavy rain has washed through the course. it floods sometimes. stay away for at least a week. ]

don't remember if they had hire clubs there makken.

good place for short game practice, though you need to go at the right times.

Tokyo has many par three courses. The two I play at sound better than the Edogawa course:

Tokyu Golf Park, near Futakotamagawa is along the Tama River. Distances go from 170 to 95, with two long 170 holes, three around 140, two between 110-120, so the distances are okay. Shortest hole is 95 yards. Greens are quite good.

http://www.tokyu-sports.com/109golf/index.php

Toho Golf Park Chofu, not too far from the American School in Chofu, is near but adjacent to the Tama River but further upstream in Chofu than the Tokyu Golf Park. It is also more expensive, but the course has two holes 300 yard holes on which you can hit a driver. The first hole is 200 yards as well. Greens here are korai, which I don't particularly like. The sub greens are bent grass, in excellent condition, but I have never seen them open on a weekend.

http://www.tohochofu-sportspark.com/course/index.php

For both courses, if you arrive right when the doors open, you can get on the courses without reservations.