Japanese golf gigolos.

There's a hot springs resort located close to a country club that is offering 'golf companion' service," relates a reporter who covers the golf scene in Kansai. "These fellows join the women on the links, and then afterwards stick around for parties in the evening. The going rate for their playing fee is 30,000 yen and up."

The "up" aspect of the fee, which is open to negotiation, may involve the host spending the night with his female client.

Through a professional contact, Shukan Post was able to gain an introduction to one of these young hunks, a chap in his late 20s who is referred to only as K.

K. tells the magazine he started working as a golf host while still a member of his university's golf team. After graduation he registered with a specialty service that dispatches such players upon customers' requests. These duffers, who range in age from their 20s through 40s, are expected to score 80 strokes or better per round. Many have their sights set on making it to the pros.

The 30,000 yen fee is split half-half with the service.

Ordinarily at country clubs one golf host is matched with a threesome; but this system typically involves two pros and two female clients, with the women --- often wives of businessmen who reside in the affluent Kobe suburb of Ashiya --- paying as high as 80,000 or even 100,000 yen for the pleasure of a host's company.

When golf involves a trip to links in the remote countryside -- and therefore requiring an overnight stay -- the host's fee is upped to 120,000 yen for the two days.

All I have to do is break 80 and move to Japan? Sorry, kiddies. I doubt those ladies have a hankering for gaijin drivers.

"K" says he's enjoyed physical relations with quite a few of his clients.

"One was a 45-year old woman whose husband ran a famous food manufacturing company," he recalls. "The first time we met she was with a threesome, but by our third encounter she requested 'man to man' service. That involved my picking her up at her house and driving her home afterwards. On the way back, she made me take her to a hotel. And once we even did it in the car, parked outside of her house."

The "tip" for K's services in such encounters runs 100,000 yen. He tells Shukan Post that an acquaintance in the same line of work was able to afford an expensive imported car.

"But I'm sure glad I passed the requirements to turn pro," he admits. "A lot of guys like me don't make the grade -- they're too distracted with the other perks, if you know what I mean.

"I know more women are taking up golf, but I can't help but dwell about the sinful aspects of this business," he sighs.
(Thanks to Mainichi Daily News for the heads up. So to speak.)