Sarumaru is the central character, a wild boy possessing extraordinary golfing talent. His full name appears across sources as Sarumaru Saruya, Sarumaru Sarutani, or Sarumaru Sarutani. He is the second child in the Saruya family, following an older sister and acting as older brother to Nakamaru, Daimaru, and Gomaru. His distinct physical appearance features a monkey-like face, black hair, thick eyebrows, and a consistent outfit of a green shirt with red or lime lines paired with blue shorts. He is rarely shown wearing footwear.

Known primarily for his golf skills, Sarumaru competes against professional golfers hired by the antagonist, Mr. X. Despite being explicitly stated as 11 years old in one context, he displays remarkable prowess on the course. His journey involves mastering new techniques, forming alliances, and confronting challenges from Mr. X and his shadowy golf syndicate. Familial bonds significantly influence his path, including weakened morale when his brother Nakamaru is hospitalized due to a scorpion sting.

Sarumaru's story spans multiple adaptations: an initial television special aired in 1982, followed by a television series running from 1985 to 1988. This series comprised two seasons, with the second titled "New Pro Golfer Saru" airing in 1988. Across these 153 total episodes, the narrative consistently follows his growth as a golfer and his ongoing conflict with Mr. X's organization.