Pro Golfer Joshua Carmichael on Life on Hokkaido's Fairways

New Zealand-born professional golfer Joshua Carmichael first came to Japan on a Golf Tour. After retiring from competitive play, he returned to caddy for a close friend — spending two years travelling the country, and finding, along the way, a wife and a home. He is now based in Sapporo and coaches golfers of all levels across Hokkaido, primarily in Niseko.

This summer, WanderLuxe joined him for a round at Riverwood Golf Course in Rusutsu. He talks about what sets Hokkaido's courses apart, how competing shaped his coaching philosophy, and the post-round ritual he considers non-negotiable.

I came to Japan a number of times while playing as a New Zealand touring professional on the Japan Golf Tour. I then ended up returning to caddy for a close friend after retiring from playing. That's when I spent a good two years travelling throughout Japan, helping my friend and, ultimately, meeting my now wife of 11 years. I settled in Sapporo, where she is from, and found myself coaching golfers of all levels, primarily in Niseko.

One of the main factors is that my wife is from Hokkaido, but I quickly realised that Hokkaido, Sapporo and Niseko have quite a lot of the same attributes I love about my homeland, New Zealand. You can be in the large metropolis of Sapporo one moment, then in a short period of time enjoy the countryside and the many surrounding coastlines and beaches. That made it feel more like home.

My initial impression was that Japan was all large concrete cities and small spaces. Beautiful, but perhaps not somewhere I expected to stay. Hokkaido changed that.

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The courses are beautifully presented. The course designs are exceptional, the service is second to none — which is exactly what you'd expect from Japan in general — and the weather is cooler than the conditions down south on the mainland.

The other distinctive thing is being greeted by the local wildlife, specifically the deer, which appear in numbers across the area. It’s quite a sight! The whole experience also has a slightly more laid-back vibe. Through play after the front nine is very common here, which keeps your on-course experience uninterrupted — no halting play for a lunch break.

Riverwood is always in immaculate condition. The layout, however challenging, is playable from each tee configuration, meaning you will always enjoy the challenge the course presents. I believe that's the key to any good course: a design that works for golfers at every level.

It has changed over the years. Recovery was always an important strategy as a player — getting the body and mind ready for the next day's competitive round. These days I do much the same, visiting the onsen, which most courses here have available. It's become a place to relax, reflect and reminisce about the experiences golf provides. An absolute must, and a uniquely Japanese part of the game.

That's usually followed by a cold drink and either a cold soba noodle teishoku, a tempura set, or a warm ramen on a cooler day.

As a player, golf teaches you how difficult this game really is — and what a microcosm of life it can be. It challenges you physically and mentally, and tests your individual skill sets endlessly. It brings joy and elation, but also disappointment. Those things exist because of your pursuit of excellence, and how you navigate your experiences and emotions to achieve your goals.

In coaching, the same things exist just at different levels. I find myself relating to my students and trying to help them understand what is happening, set strategies to improve their skills, then transfer those skills to the course. The course is the arena, to borrow a term from rugby which I love, and that is where a player's performance is truly seen and experienced.

Golf involves many different aspects — whether attaining specific skills, controlling the ball's flight or increasing distance while maintaining control. My job is to find a solution for whoever I have the privilege of helping improve. A great coach simplifies a game of complex detail and communicates it clearly, so the player has real clarity around what they need to do.

What I find most commonly is that people's concept of what they're trying to do is slightly off. More often than not, there's an initial conversation: educating them on what is actually supposed to happen can bring about a quick and meaningful change to their performance.

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When it's breezy, swing it easy!

Not my department, I'm afraid.

Luckily, it's ours.

From ice cream hopping in Niseko to a day chasing thrills at Rusutsu Amusement Park, nobody has to sit in a buggy if they don't want to.