Why Watching Women’s Golf in Japan Feels Like Being Part of an Idol Fan Club

Golf fans in Japan aren’t just counting birdies—they’re cheering, waving banners, and following players like beloved pop idols.
What makes women’s golf so different from men’s in Japan? It’s not just about scores. It’s about admiration, connection, and a unique fan culture rooted in “omotenashi” hospitality.

In this article, originally written in Japanese and recently referenced in The Japan Times, we dive into why Japanese fans are so passionate about female pro golfers—and how this enthusiasm has created a truly one-of-a-kind sports culture.

🟢The Emotional Core of Japanese Women’s Golf Fandom

📢Even though it is the same “golf” game, the style of spectating and the passion of the fans are completely different.
I think this is the “male Johnny’s vs. female Sakamichi” phenomenon in the golf world.

🧠From Spectator to Supporter: The Shift in Fan Behavior

In Japan, watching women’s golf is no longer just a passive experience—it’s become an active expression of support. Fans don’t just observe; they cheer, wave handmade signs, and travel across the country to follow their favorite players.

It’s not unlike supporting a pop idol. Fans refer to their favorite golfers as “oshi” (推し), a term borrowed from idol culture meaning “the one I support.” This kind of emotional investment creates a deeper connection—more than just watching the scorecard.

🎀Not Just About the Game: Stories, Struggles, and Smiles

Unlike men’s golf, which often emphasizes technique, stats, and performance, women’s golf in Japan has developed a fan culture centered on personality and relatability.

Each player’s background—whether it’s a comeback from injury, a touching family story, or a viral moment on Instagram—becomes a vital part of their appeal. Fans follow these stories closely, often knowing more about the player’s daily routine than their own friends.

It’s a blend of sport and narrative—a kind of “emotional storytelling” that adds layers to every round of golf.

💡“Idol-like” Moments That Fans Cherish

From heartwarming post-match interviews to the way players bow to fans at the gallery, small gestures often leave the deepest impressions. Fans capture and share these moments on social media, creating a feedback loop of affection and appreciation.

Some golfers have even gained nicknames and loyal fan bases—just like idols.

Comparison Items	Men’s Golf	Women’s golf
Criteria for recommendation	Ability, record, technical ability	Personality, atmosphere, “I kind of like”
Fan psychology	Admiration, Respect,	Sympathy, support, and watch over
Popularity distribution	Concentrated on the top few	Widely distributed, anyone can be a “favorite”
Watching style	プレースタイルを静かに見守る	Walk with them and enjoy their reactions

In conclusion,
men’s golf is a “revered game” and women’s golf is a “cozy game”.
That is why the culture of spectatorship itself is different!

🟢How Women’s Golf Built Its Own Culture

🧠The Role of Social Media and Personal Branding

• Johnny’s: Star power, absolute presence, “look up from afar”.
• AKB and Sakamichi: visit them, nurture them, and “watch over them from close by.”

This difference directly applies to men’s golf vs. women’s golf.

• Boys: “someone to admire”.
• Girls “want to cheer them on”.

And watching women’s golf matches adds a level of “drama” to the game that idols don’t have.

🎀Women’s golf is “an idol you can high-five.

For example, a scene like this 👇

✅ I called out to him on the practice range in the morning and he smiled back at me
✅ I said, “Nice shot!” on the tee and he bailed me out and he bailed me out
✅ He gave me a high-five on the gallery road–

🧠SNS, gestures, atmosphere… there are too many “points of interest” other than playing!

• Player 00 uploading a photo with his dog on Instagram.
• The serious look in his eyes while warming up is unforgettable.
• The smirk on the audience’s face, that one moment alone is enough to “take your heart”!

Swing analysis” is no longer an issue. First of all, I am moved by the breath of the guesser.

この投稿をInstagramで見る

鶴岡果恋　Karen Tsuruoka(@tsurukare)がシェアした投稿

---

💡Spectating = cheering = guessing activity!

Women’s golf is a world where
“it’s not just about the score”
“it’s not just about winning and losing, it’s about drama”
and —
“it’s a world where you can find your own personal ”guess“”.

あわせて読みたい

小祝さくら語録集：渋野日向子のシブコ節に挑む女子ゴルフ天然バトル！ 女子ゴルフ界を彩る二大キャラ、ついに激突！ 小祝さくら選手の天然すぎる語録と、渋野日向子選手の軽快なシブコ節。二人の発言には、プレッシャーをものともしないメン...

🟢Swamped in the Gallery! Real Report on “Women’s Golf Pushing Experience”!

📢Is there any sport other than golf where you can walk on the same turf as your “favorite”?
Once you get hooked, it’s the beginning of a “spectator swamp” that you can’t get out of.

🧠The magic of the “gallery road” where you can walk alongside your guess

Watching golf is basically “walking behind the players” style.

In other words–
you walk with your guess. You can watch their backs the whole time.
You can’t experience this at an idol concert.

What’s more,

The expression on the player’s face before tee shot
The gut-pose after hitting the ball
The conversation with the caddie
You can see all of them.

🎯The voice is heard, the reactions are there, and that alone is captivating!

“Nice shot!” I said to him, and the moment he

＼Yes, swamp!／

Other…

• He responded to the signature
• There was a high five
• Our eyes met for just a moment (I felt like it)

---

💡The gallery is a place where you become a “supporter” rather than a “spectator”

At a women’s golf game,
The “distance” between spectators and players is very close both physically and psychologically.

that’s why…

• If Oshi is doing well, I’ll be happy too.
• If you hit bogey, you’ll be disappointed together.
• The birdie on the final day brought tears to my eyes.

📢もうね、“推しと感情共有できるスポーツ”なんですよ。ゴルフ観戦って。」

あわせて読みたい

女子プロゴルファーの戦闘モードゴルフバッグがかっこいい！タイプ別紹介5選 こんにちは〜、ビギナーOLゴルファーちあきです🌸今日もゆるっとゴルフの話しちゃいますっ♪ 「バッグなんて、持ち運び用でしょ？」って思ったそこのあなた。 女...

🟢In fact, “watching golf for the first time” is the reason why the women’s tour is recommended.

🧠Reason 1: The venue is friendly! Great beginner welcome design

• Venue information is thorough, so even beginners will not get lost
• Ticket prices are also reasonable (free for high school students)
• Kitchen car, experience booth, photo spot…you can enjoy more than just golf!

📢On the girls’ tour, the venue itself becomes an “Oshi festival”.

🧠Reason 2: The players have strong characters! There is a pusher that “sticks with someone”

• Bright, serious, gentle, stoic, idol type, older sister type…
• Plenty of communication on SNS → You can also create a “list of players you are interested in” in advance!

🧠Reason 3: You can feel safe even if you watch the game alone! The fan base is “Oshikatsu friendly”

• A wide variety of galleries including women, couples, parents and children, and solo galleries.
• Cheering goods, handmade fans (!?), cheering towels, and more were as exciting as at an idol scene.

Watching women’s golf is one of the few sports that you can enjoy even if you don’t know anything about golf.
In fact, it’s precisely because I don’t know that the encounter with my “favorite” is so pure and emotional.

あわせて読みたい

女子プロの熱き戦いをVODで完全制覇！ゴルフ観戦がもっと楽しくなる ※このページには広告が含まれております。 「先輩、最近ゴルフどうですか？⛳✨週末のラウンドで調子良かったなんて聞いたら、ちょっと負けたくないな～な...

🟢Summary｜Women’s golf is a sport that you can enjoy by not just watching!

---

The reason I was disappointed in the field was not my technique or results.
That moment when our eyes met on the teeing ground.

Then, every week, I tracked the child’s score, checked social media, and made plans for the next game…
Before I knew it, I had become a great “pusher.”

📝So…

• Women’s golf has “drama that can’t be told just by grades”
• At the venue, you can feel the same atmosphere as “Oshi”
• And your “support” will definitely help someone else.

that’s why–

Women’s golf is a “favorite festival” disguised as a sport!