How many private golf clubs 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.
How big is the golf industry in South Korea?
The golf industry in South Korea is worth an estimated 11.4 trillion won (11 billion dollars). Source: Yuwon Golf Foundation Report. The market for so-called ‘screen golf’ services alone accounting for 10% of the total. 8.36 million Koreans are involved in golf.
What is the average age of Korean golfers?
This point is illustrated by the fact that the largest demographic of Korean golfers is made up of men between the ages of 41~50, represents 44.5% of the entire golfing population. 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.
Which golf brands are popular in South Korea?
Among the retail outlets nearby are standalone stores for golf companies like TaylorMade and Callaway. Fashion is big in South Korea and that definitely carries over to golf. Brand names are especially popular. Unlike North America, there's little interest in wearing course logos, even if they're famous resorts or exclusive private clubs.
Is golf popular in Korea?
South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
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 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.
Why is golf so big in Korea?
Dedication and sponsorship. Golf remains an expensive pursuit in Korea but, since Pak's rise to stardom, it has become extremely popular. With considerable international appeal and a lucrative global tour, women's golf has become the go-to sport for companies in Korea in terms of sponsorship.
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 Korea?
Today, golf is one of the fastest growing sports with 3.06 million (2.72M male to 0.74M female) golfers, or about 5.94% of the total population of 51.5M, having swung a golf club. The number of golf courses also increased from just over 200 at the end of 1998 to about 450 at the end of 2017.
How many golf courses are there in North Korea?
oneThe golf course is the only one in North Korea. According to the authorities, 40 players use the course on a daily basis.
Why is golf so popular?
Many people choose golf because it offers an excellent overall package. They can enjoy the sport itself, but the setting gives the opportunity to make it so much more. Golfers will often take their families on holiday, take trips with their buddies, or take some time away with colleagues or business associates.
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.
Why Koreans are obsessed with golf?
You may wonder why Koreans are so fond of golf. That's because the South Korean government is striving to develop it—they are expecting more golfer hanging around among holes and more public courses there to entertain them.
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.”
What happened to Sung Hyun Park?
Last season, Park was rehabilitating through a shoulder injury sustained at the end of the 2019 and used the time off due to the COVID-19 pandemic to adequately rest. Though Park said she is fully recovered and doesn't feel any more pain – she has been a ubiquitous presence at Orange Tree Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.
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Is it any good? I've never been to S. Korea and I know golf is expensive there, but I won't have time to play any anyway. I was wondering if they had Japanese market clubs that we might not be able to get here in the US, and if prices were any better or worse. However, I do know that it is still a golf-crazy country, especially with all the S.
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There are tons of good stuffs over there (good being eye candies). I wouldn't shop there because golf is still considered high end sport (even though it is becoming really popular) and there's luxury tax being applied and makes it even more expensive. Then local tax, import duty plus high margin on top of that...
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I was randomly there several years ago on business and found it to be underwhelming (golf shopping), the country was awesome. You can get JDM stuff thru TSG and various contacts from here way cheaper than you can get thru Korean retail places.
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Okay, that's essentially all I needed to know, thanks guys. Guess I'll be browsing the BST still while over there... just kidding.
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I was there a year ago and I was surprised at the dearth of retail equipment stores. There was one street that was known for their golf stores but i was underwhelmed. And of course theres the price
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I live in Seoul and would have to agree that it's not the best place to go shopping for clubs. However, if you have nothing to do, there are a couple of shops that I could recommend. Ave Golf near COEX is fairly large and has a half-decent selection.
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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.
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 Whistling Rock Golf Club an art museum?
The massive, $40 million ultra-modern clubhouse at Whistling Rock Golf Club in South Korea could double as an art museum. Indeed, there are avant-garde statues in the expansive foyer, which is bright but spartan, with marble floors and walls, and a broad circular staircase that spans three levels.
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…