
A round of golf for a group of four at a public course in South Korea costs roughly $175 to $220 per person. Fees for a shared caddy range between $70 and $105, which, the government noted, is way more than golfers in neighboring Japan have to pay. For all that, South Koreans lavish around $13 billion annually on golf, or roughly $260 per capita.
How much does a round of golf cost in South Korea?
A round of golf for a group of four at a public course in South Korea costs roughly $175 to $220 per person. Fees for a shared caddy range between $70 and $105, which, the government noted, is way more than golfers in neighboring Japan have to pay.
Where are the best golf courses in South Korea?
The course at South Cape Owners Club is a Kyle Phillips design, set out on a dramatic cliff top property, with ocean views available from all eighteen golf holes. The Club at Nine Bridges is located on Jeju Island, the volcanic island south of South Korea’s continental landmass sometimes referred to as Korea’s Maui.
Why book a golf holiday in South Korea?
South Korea is a mountainous country with dozens of National and Provincial Parks that are renowned for their natural beauty and ancient temples. Given South Korea’s mountainous terrain, it's surprising that the country can boast more than 500 golf courses, so there’s plenty of action going on to keep the travelling golfer happy.
What percentage of South Korea's population plays golf?
Although it's only roughly the size of Kentucky, South Korea spends an estimated $13 billion a year on golf and approximately 10 percent of the population are golf fans, a number that's growing. Having played golf from coast-to-coast in the U.S.,

Are golf clubs cheaper in Korea?
KOREAN GOLF INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE The price of golf clubs compared to the US is slightly higher (10~15% on average), due to the shipping and tax required to get the OEM brands into Korea.
Why is golf expensive in Korea?
The primary factor behind the surge in South Korea's green fees is the limited supply of public golf courses despite ever-increasing demand. In contrast, Japan's golf demand somewhat declined while the supply of public golf courses was sufficient.
Is golf popular in South Korea?
South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
How much does it cost to play a game of golf?
According to research from the National Golf Foundation, the average cost to play a round of golf in the United States in 2020 is $61. The average cost to play nine holes in the United States is $33.
Why do Koreans like to play golf?
“For a long time, people in Korea have been taught to be diligent and faithful,” Oh says. “We have been taught the values of Confucian tradition, like patience and persistence; both are beneficial to play golf.”
How many golf courses are there in Korea?
Given South Korea's mountainous terrain, it's surprising that the country can boast more than 500 golf courses, so there's plenty of action going on to keep the travelling golfer happy.
Is playing golf expensive in Korea?
A round of golf for a group of four at a public course in South Korea costs roughly $175 to $220 per person. Fees for a shared caddy range between $70 and $105, which, the government noted, is way more than golfers in neighboring Japan have to pay.
How many golfers are in South Korea?
In 2018, the total number of golf players registered at Korea Golf Association (KGA) in South Korea amounted to around 2.1 thousand, showing a steady decrease over the past three years.
Is there a top golf in Korea?
2:388:32Korean Top Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe base building where is my life like. Big is an understatement. It goes all the way. Down. ThereMoreThe base building where is my life like. Big is an understatement. It goes all the way. Down. There is the I'm just not called top golf but it's like top girls.
Is golf the most expensive sport?
It's is no secret that golf is one of the most expensive sports in the world to get involved in. You need to buy clubs, shoes, balls, carts and and bags and that is before you even get to the course and pay your green fees.
Why golf is so expensive?
Golf clubs are expensive because there is a lot of R&D (Research and Development) that takes place before manufacturing. It is done to ensure that you can play consistent golf shots and also to not cause harm to your shoulders during swinging.
Is golf a luxury sport?
Yes, it is true that golf is a luxury sport. You can spend a lot of money buying golfing clothes, shoes, clubs and other accessories. You can be up to date with the latest trends and change your golfing wardrobe on a seasonal or yearly basis.
Is golf an expensive sport in Korea?
A round of golf for a group of four at a public course in South Korea costs roughly $175 to $220 per person. Fees for a shared caddy range between $70 and $105, which, the government noted, is way more than golfers in neighboring Japan have to pay.
How many golfers are in South Korea?
In 2018, the total number of golf players registered at Korea Golf Association (KGA) in South Korea amounted to around 2.1 thousand, showing a steady decrease over the past three years.
How many golf courses are there in North Korea?
The golf course is the only one in North Korea. According to the authorities, 40 players use the course on a daily basis.
How many golf courses are in Japan?
As a country, Japan is home to the second most golf courses in the world. With around 2,350 golf courses across the nation, they're only outnumbered by the Golf Mecca that is the U.S.
How many golf courses are there in South Korea?
There are 447 golf facilities in South Korea, according to a 2015 survey by the R&A, but at least three-quarters of those are private. The oversaturated private market, combined with the ability for members to get back their enormous initiation fees after a set number of years, has placed tremendous strain on private clubs. The masses are driven to widely popular screen golf facilities and packed ranges to satiate their obsession.
What is golf in South Korea?
Golf at South Korea’s private clubs is an event. Members and their guests arrive toting pricey Boston bags packed with several outfits. They eat multiple meals at the clubhouse and teahouses. Whistling Rock’s nine chefs create artful dishes using organic herbs and vegetables grown on the property.
How many employees does Taekwang have?
Taekwang takes its name from the Seoul-based conglomerate that is comprised of 25 companies and 10,000 employees.
Do South Koreans do anything halfway?
South Koreans don’t do anything halfway. The country’s remarkable economic transformation following the Korean War was dubbed the “Miracle on the Han River,” but in truth, it’s less a miracle than the product of a relentless work ethic. That’s reflected in the common refrain that weekends are more like “Friday, Friday, Friday.”
KOREA GOLF COURSES
Golfasia.com will soon have all of Korea's best golf courses available for review soon.
Nine Bridges Golf Korea
Nine Bridges is the best golf course in South Korea, and is also the most prestigious, granting only limited access to the desiring hordes. Those lucky enough to secure a tee time will be enchanted by the combination of the course's design and the sheer beauty of the surrounding landscape.
CHEAP, ARTIFICIAL ALTERNATIVE
Proud of South Korean women’s success, golf has held a special place in South Korean hearts since Pak Se-ri became the youngest-ever winner of the U.S. Women’s Open in 1998.
OFFICIAL HANDICAP
The ebbing fortunes of the real game has left many private courses in financial straits. Nearly half of the country’s 234 members-only golf clubs had burned through their capital by the end of 2014, according to government data.
Is golf popular in South Korea?
Golf in South Korea is very popular, and unlike other countries in the world, the membership to golf clubs in South Korea is extremely cheap, with the consequence that golf is more accepted and well-liked. Golf in South Korea is especially a forte of the women of the land, with over 30 Korean women playing on the world’s leading women’s tour, the LPGA tour in the United States. The best-known Korean woman golfer is Pak Se-ri.
Is golf in Korea a world class sport?
Korea is renowned for producing world-class golfers but many golfers are unaware of the many world-class golf courses in Korea. For many of the best golf packages and info on golf in Korea, try this site:
How much does South Korea spend on golf?
Although it's only roughly the size of Kentucky, South Korea spends an estimated $13 billion a year on golf and approximately 10 percent of the population are golf fans, a number that's growing. Having played golf from coast-to-coast in the U.S., I had been anxious to experience the South Korea market first-hand.
How many holes are there in Taekwang Country Club?
A 36-hole facility like Taekwang Country Club about an hour outside Seoul has a whopping 1,300 members paying $70,000 entry fees. The course gets so much play that it has lights to play at night and each hole has two identical greens that can be regularly switched out if it gets too highly trafficked.
What is Miss Kim's role in golf?
In between shots, our do-everything caddie Miss Kim operates the cart by remote control while gliding back and forth to provide clubs and distances. The cart never leaves the path, yet another captivating aspect of South Korean golf, along with the all-female caddie corps. Our caddies were incredibly knowledgeable and celebrated good play, rewarding players with butterfly pins that were attached to our hats or shirts. I was lucky enough to make an eagle on a risk-reward par-4 -- driving the green and making a short putt -- and got an even bigger butterfly pin along with a certificate following the round as part of what felt like a hero's welcome back at the clubhouse. It's a golf memory I'll never forget.
How many Taylormade stores are there in Korea?
But wearing golf brands is hugely popular; it's why TaylorMade has 40 stores in South Korea. It's customary to bring a separate apparel bag (preferably brand name) to the golf course and then change into a trendy golf outfit in the locker room. What one won't find in Seoul, though, is a golf course.
How many orbs are there in golf?
And in keeping with the artistic theme, there are also nine giant orbs -- about 5 feet in circumference and in various hues -- scattered throughout the course.
What do South Koreans wear?
The locals wore long pants, wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts despite the bright sun and temperatures that were in the mid-70s Fahrenheit (about 24 Celsius).
Is there a golf course in Seoul?
What one won't find in Seoul, though, is a golf course. The indoor screen golf simulators from GOLFZON are commonplace and affordable, but you'll have to get well outside the city confines for a true green-grass layout. While golf is beloved in South Korea -- the nation's 444 golf facilities are second in Asia behind only Japan -- getting an actual tee time is difficult and pricey.
How many golf courses are there in South Korea?
Given South Korea’s mountainous terrain, it's surprising that the country can boast more than 500 golf courses, so there’s plenty of action going on to keep the travelling golfer happy.
When was golf invented in Korea?
It’s been said that golf was introduced to Korea in 1897 when a number of British people working with Korea’s Maritime Affairs and Tourism Organisation constructed a rudimentary 6-hole layout beside the Korean Customs Office.
What is Anyang Benest Golf Club?
Anyang Country Club , formerly known as Anyang Benest Golf Club is cut through mature trees, which not only prove a challenge for the crooked driver but also brilliance of seasonal colour.
How many holes are there in South Cape Owners Club?
The course at South Cape Owners Club is a Kyle Phillips design, set out on a dramatic cliff top property, with ocean views available from all eighteen golf holes.
When was Woo Jeong Hills Country Club opened?
Woo Jeong Hills Country Club was opened in 1993 and is as close as you can find in Asia to a big, brutish, US tournament golf course.
When did Se Ri Pak win the US Open?
A big turning point for Korean golf came in 1998 when Se-Ri Pak won both the LPGA Championship and US Open – the first of five Major Championship titles she would claim during her career – in her rookie season in the United States.
Who built the Wellington Country Club?
Built by the Hyosung Group, one of Korea’s largest industrial conglomerates, the three 9-hole circuits at Wellington Country Club are named after the Greek mythological creatures of the Griffin, Phoenix and Wyvern.

Korean Golf Roots
Korean Golf Industry at A Glance
- In 2016, the Korea Golf Industry White Paper showed the total golf market to be just under $10 Billion USD. The report broke down the figures as below. Golf equipment can be found in abundance here including all the of familiar major US OEM brands and most JDM brands. The price of golf clubs compared to the US is slightly higher (10~15% on average)...
screen Golf, Anyone?
- It may surprise you to learn that the golfing population is actually on the rise in Korea, despite declines in other major golfing countries like the US and Japan. In the West, much like soccer or basketball, golf is often taken up at an early age. With the introduction of handheld video games and mobile phones, golf faces an uphill battle in getting youngsters away from the tiny screens a…
Practice Facilities
- Before a golfer can cut his teeth on an actual golf course, they first need to learn the ropes. Natural grass practice areas are practically non-existent in Korea unless one lives well outside the major population centers. For this reason, Screen Golf is the most common form of Golf in Korea at all levels. For those that get tired of hitting balls into a screen, there are outdoor practice rang…
A Day at The Course
- Playing actual golf in Korea is a labor of love. It literally requires a full day with careful planning. In years past, the number of golfers and available courses was unevenly matched, necessitating reservations nearly a month in advance. Nowadays, we open an app on our mobile device and can usually reserve a tee time 3-7 days in advance. Progress. From my own experience, golf season i…
For The Love of The game?
- Most of the above is from my personal experience. I play about 12~15 rounds per year, which is pretty good for an average guy like me. With my 8.2, I am a member of the noble single-digit class and the envy among those who struggle to break 90. Still hard to believe, right? So have you figured out why my handicap is a much bigger deal than it should be? I contend that Koreans eq…