Sub-zero and under-par: Golfers hit snowy Hokkaido course in freezing temps

BIBAI, Hokkaido -- Golfers are taking to a snow-covered course in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido for rounds of "snow golf," defying minus-10-degree-Celsius temperatures to swing their clubs.

Snow golf originated in France, and the Golf5 Country Bibai Course in Bibai, Hokkaido, officially introduced the sport to Japan four years ago. Golf5 made the move after getting a proposal from a golf course reservation firm to use the grounds while they were closed for the winter. Even today, there are only a handful of places in Japan that offer this winter sport.

There is no season-specific special equipment, just colored balls that are easy to spot in the snow. Players compete on four special courses at Golf5. Some people hit their tee shots from a mound made of snow, which they say gives them the same feeling as grass. The "greens" are artificial grass laid on top of snow. The holes are larger than usual, but it is difficult to read the snow-bound course's irregular putting lines.

There is also an annual snow golf tournament, scheduled for Feb. 20 this year. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the usual two rounds (eight holes in total) will be reduced to one round. The pork miso soup service usually ladled out to attendees has also been canceled.

Golf5 manager Takashi Komizu told the Mainichi Shimbun, "I hope the people of Hokkaido will enjoy this unique snow country game."

(Japanese original by Taichi Kaizuka, Hokkaido Photo Group)