News
Vote to admit women as full members fails, Olympic golf venue could change
In the wake of pressure from the public, the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee and the International Golf Federation, the host course for the 2020 Olympics, took a vote that could determine its future as the Olympic track.
Kasumigaseki Country Club’s 15-man board met to vote on whether to admit women as full members. Presently, women are not eligible for full membership and are not permitted to play on Sunday and certain holidays.
Per a report from Reuters, the club voted Tuesday but failed to achieve unanimous support for the rule change.
Speaking with Golf.com, International Golf Federation vice president Ty Votaw said the club may be removing itself from consideration as a host venue.
“The IGF has clearly stated to both Tokyo 2020 and Kasumigaseki C.C. our requirements that the golf competition be delivered according to the Olympic Charter,” he said. “If the Club does not change its rules, then we cannot support holding the events at this venue.”
Board chairman Kiichi Kimura told reporters that he and his fellow members feel they are in a tight spot.
“That this situation has developed is a nuisance for us, it’s really perplexing,” he said. “I feel very uncomfortable that women cannot become full members in this day and age. It should be a venue open to everyone.”
If the club remains at a stalemate, it seems the likely replacement course is nearby public venue Wakasu Golf Links.
In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.
They wrote:
“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”
Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
- jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
- jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
- Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”
In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.
@DTorres asked:
The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?
Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.
We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
- bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
- CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”
A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.
As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.
Let’s get to the gifts.
Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo
We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.
STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover
If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.
Why Golf: Putting Thing
When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.
OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes
Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!
Therabody Theragun Relief
A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.
World Cup golf apparel
Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.
FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes
Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.
Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker
Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.
Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!
- GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
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Dill Pickleson
Feb 13, 2017 at 6:53 pm
really no woman (or man) is missing out on joining this club. average age over 70 years old. men are required to wear high socks in the summer, jackets year round. it takes nearly 6 hours to play a round with a minimum required lunch break (even at 10am) for at least 1 hour….old men who have 1 beer at lunch and then stumble around drunk on the back nine. pathetic.
setter02
Feb 9, 2017 at 10:14 am
When you pay for exclusivity, you don’t really care what others think. I’m sure that if the members wanted, they could pool together some of their pocket change and host a better field event than the Olympics anyway… A none story.
Bert
Mar 4, 2017 at 9:07 am
Absolutely correct – it’s their club. Good for them.
S Hitter
Feb 9, 2017 at 3:14 am
Who picked this course in the first place and how did it even become a consideration, anyway? A bunch of pompous old fools wanted to play at one of the most exclusive and expensive courses by themselves, that’s who. And then to tell the club to change their policies and put them on the spot like this? Pathetic.
I think all the men in the world should be allowed to compete in women’s competitions soon and forget dividing the sexes in all sports. Might as well. We could watch some NFL players only be allowed to play in the Lingerie Bowl wearing garters and see how that goes down
Dave R
Feb 8, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Just some more rich Mutts being rich mutts.
DONNEY
Feb 13, 2017 at 9:22 am
MONEY ISN’T THE ISSUE. IF IT’S A PRIVATE CLUB YOU SHOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT YOU WANT.
Tom
Feb 8, 2017 at 11:04 am
Wakasa is in the mix.
Jim
Feb 8, 2017 at 10:48 am
Haven’t paid attention in years, but remember a time not too long ago when Tee times were booked a year in advance over there. I doubt they give a crap
Carlos Danger
Feb 8, 2017 at 9:08 am
How dare a private club do what they want…how dare they!!!
dr bloor
Feb 8, 2017 at 9:12 am
They can do whatever they want. But that will exclude them from consideration for an event by another private organization that is…doing what they want.
Juan
Feb 8, 2017 at 10:39 am
When your organization is going to profit from an event being put on by an organization, the organization putting on that event gets to have some influence over the venue, and especially in the case of an event like the Olympics, if the venue’s policies run contrary to the values of the organization, and the club refuses to change those policies, the organization has every right to go elsewhere. It’s a two-way street.
Double Mocha Man
Feb 8, 2017 at 12:16 pm
I vote that Ammy, with her advertising scam, be allowed to post… and remain in the running for the Olympics.