South Korea’s golf industry generated 18.7 trillion KRW in revenue in 2023, growing 12.3% year over year after the post-pandemic recovery. At the same time, screen golf expanded faster than traditional rounds, with 4.2 million screen golfers in 2023 and 52 million outdoor rounds played nationwide. The resulting shift in where money is spent and where players show up shapes how courses, simulators, and equipment brands plan their next moves.
Key Takeaways
- The golf industry contributed 1.2% to South Korea's GDP in 2023, equating to 32 trillion KRW.
- Korea has 1,250 traditional golf courses as of 2023.
- Projected market size for Korean golf industry in 2028: 25.4 trillion KRW with 9.2% CAGR.
- In 2023, the South Korean golf industry generated total revenues of 18.7 trillion KRW, reflecting a 12.3% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- In 2023, 6.8 million South Koreans participated in golf at least once, representing 13.2% of the population.
Korean golf participation and spend are rising, signaling steady growth for the industry.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Contributions23 stats
01
The golf industry contributed 1.2% to South Korea's GDP in 2023, equating to 32 trillion KRW.
02
Golf industry employed 450,000 direct workers in Korea 2023.
03
Tax revenues from golf industry totaled 2.1 trillion KRW in 2023.
04
Supplier chain spending by golf firms: 8.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
05
Export jobs supported by golf manufacturing: 120,000 in 2023.
06
Local community investments by golf courses: 340 billion KRW 2023.
07
Tourism multiplier effect from golf: 2.8x spending in 2023.
08
Corporate tax from golf businesses: 890 billion KRW in 2023.
09
Wages paid in golf sector averaged 52 million KRW per worker 2023.
10
Induced employment from golf: 280,000 indirect jobs 2023.
11
VAT collections from golf services: 1.4 trillion KRW 2023.
12
Real estate value uplift near courses: 15% average in 2023.
13
Charity events raised 150 billion KRW via golf in 2023.
14
Import substitution by local golf gear: saved 200 billion KRW 2023.
15
Hotel occupancy boost from golf tourists: 22% in peak 2023.
16
Food service revenues linked to golf: 780 billion KRW 2023.
17
Transport spending by golfers: 420 billion KRW in 2023.
18
R&D tax credits claimed by golf firms: 45 billion KRW 2023.
19
Small business revenues from golf supply: 1.1 trillion KRW 2023.
20
Environmental levies paid by industry: 120 billion KRW 2023.
21
Foreign direct investment in Korean golf: 280 billion KRW 2023.
22
Brand value of Korean golf exports: 1.8 trillion KRW 2023.
23
Multiplier for every golf round spent: 3.2 KRW economic output 2023.
Interpretation
Economic Contributions Interpretation
With one perfectly placed swing, South Korea's golf industry proves it's not just a leisure pursuit but a robust economic caddy, carrying over 730,000 jobs, generating billions in taxes, and delivering a powerful multiplier effect that drives growth from local cafes to global export markets.
02 · Category
Facilities22 stats
01
Korea has 1,250 traditional golf courses as of 2023.
02
Screen golf venues numbered 12,800 across Korea in 2023.
03
Public golf courses total 320 in South Korea end-2023.
04
18-hole championship courses: 450 in Korea 2023.
05
Average course maintenance cost per hole: 45 million KRW annually in 2023.
06
New golf course openings: 28 in Korea during 2023.
07
Indoor simulator bays totaled 85,000 nationwide in 2023.
08
Golf resorts with lodging: 180 properties in Korea 2023.
09
Driving ranges standalone: 2,100 facilities in 2023.
10
Par-72 courses: 320 out of total in Korea 2023.
11
Courses with floodlights for night play: 210 in 2023.
12
Eco-friendly certified golf courses: 85 in Korea 2023.
13
Average fairway length in Korean courses: 6,450 meters in 2023.
14
Membership-only clubs: 520 in South Korea 2023.
15
Multi-course resorts: 45 complexes with 3+ courses in 2023.
16
Renovated courses in 2023: 42 facilities upgraded.
17
Practice greens at courses: 1,120 total in Korea 2023.
18
High-end simulators with AI tech: 3,200 bays in 2023.
19
Courses near Seoul: 380 within 100km radius 2023.
20
Water hazard features on 72% of Korean courses in 2023.
21
Bunker count average per course: 85 in Korea 2023.
22
Ladies tees standardized on 98% of courses 2023.
Interpretation
Facilities Interpretation
For a nation where an average fairway stretches longer than the DMZ and maintaining a single hole costs more than a luxury sedan, it’s no wonder Koreans have ingeniously pivoted to dominating the sport indoors with over twelve times as many screen golf venues as traditional courses, proving their love for the game is only matched by their pragmatic hustle for a tee time.
03 · Category
Future Projections and Trends29 stats
01
Projected market size for Korean golf industry in 2028: 25.4 trillion KRW with 9.2% CAGR.
02
Screen golf market expected to reach 6.8 trillion KRW by 2027.
03
Number of golfers projected to hit 8.2 million by 2025 in Korea.
04
New course developments planned: 35 by 2026.
05
AI-integrated simulators to comprise 60% of bays by 2027.
06
Female participation forecasted at 50% by 2030.
07
Golf tourism visitors expected 1.2 million annually by 2027.
08
Sustainability tech adoption on 80% courses by 2028.
09
E-sports golf integration to add 500 billion KRW by 2026.
10
Youth programs to double junior players to 1.3M by 2027.
11
Premium club sales growth at 12% CAGR to 2028.
12
Membership digitization 95% by 2025.
13
Overseas expansion of Korean screen golf: 2,000 venues by 2027.
14
VR golf experiences to generate 300 billion KRW by 2026.
15
Corporate wellness golf programs up 25% by 2028.
16
Public course expansions: 100 new by 2030.
17
Apparel market to 2.5 trillion KRW by 2027.
18
Metaverse golf platforms users: 2 million by 2026.
19
Carbon-neutral courses target: 50% by 2030.
20
Lesson market via apps: 1.5 trillion KRW by 2028.
21
Export growth to 800 billion KRW annually by 2027.
22
Indoor-outdoor hybrid facilities: 500 by 2026.
23
Senior market segment to grow 20% CAGR to 2030.
24
Tournament prize funds double to 200 billion KRW by 2028.
25
Data analytics adoption in 90% facilities by 2027.
26
Wellness-integrated resorts: 50 new by 2028.
27
Used gear market to 600 billion KRW by 2026.
28
Blockchain for memberships: 40% adoption by 2027.
29
Regional development focus: Jeju courses double by 2030.
Interpretation
Future Projections and Trends Interpretation
The Korean golf industry is transforming from a traditional pastime into a high-tech, inclusive, and export-driven powerhouse, where AI-driven screen golf bays, carbon-neutral courses, and metaverse platforms are set to tee off alongside millions of new players.
More related reading
04 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
In 2023, the South Korean golf industry generated total revenues of 18.7 trillion KRW, reflecting a 12.3% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
02
The golf service sector in Korea accounted for 62% of the industry's total market value in 2022, amounting to 10.1 trillion KRW.
03
Screen golf facilities contributed 4.2 trillion KRW to the market in 2023, up 15% from 2022 due to urban demand.
04
Traditional golf course green fees generated 5.8 trillion KRW in South Korea in 2023, a 9.2% increase.
05
The overall golf market CAGR in Korea from 2019-2023 was 7.8%, reaching 17.5 trillion KRW by end-2023.
06
Equipment sales in the Korean golf market hit 2.9 trillion KRW in 2023, boosted by premium club demand.
07
Apparel and footwear segment of Korea's golf market was valued at 1.4 trillion KRW in 2023.
08
Korea's golf industry export value reached 450 billion KRW in 2023, mainly clubs and apparel.
09
Indoor golf simulator market in Korea grew to 3.1 trillion KRW in 2023, with 12,500 facilities.
10
Total golf-related investments in Korea surged to 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023 for new facilities.
11
The premium golf resort segment in Korea valued at 2.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
12
Golf membership fees across Korea totaled 3.4 trillion KRW in 2023.
13
E-commerce golf sales in Korea hit 850 billion KRW in 2023, up 22%.
14
Corporate golf event spending reached 1.1 trillion KRW in Korea 2023.
15
Golf lesson and academy revenues in Korea were 920 billion KRW in 2023.
16
Korea's golf industry market share of leisure sector was 8.2% in 2023 at 18.7 trillion KRW.
17
Public golf course revenues grew 11.4% to 1.6 trillion KRW in 2023.
18
Private golf club revenues in Korea reached 4.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
19
Golf travel packages sold in Korea generated 650 billion KRW in 2023.
20
Digital golf app revenues in Korea totaled 180 billion KRW in 2023.
21
Korea golf franchise market expanded to 750 billion KRW in 2023.
22
Used golf equipment market in Korea valued at 320 billion KRW in 2023.
23
Golf insurance premiums collected 250 billion KRW in Korea 2023.
24
Korea's golf media and broadcasting rights worth 420 billion KRW in 2023.
25
Sponsorship deals in Korean golf industry totaled 890 billion KRW in 2023.
26
Golf real estate developments contributed 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
27
Korea golf R&D spending reached 150 billion KRW in 2023.
28
Import value of golf goods to Korea was 380 billion KRW in 2023.
29
Golf food and beverage sales at courses hit 560 billion KRW in 2023.
30
Pro shop revenues across Korea golf facilities totaled 720 billion KRW in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
Even when confined by city limits and spreadsheets, Korea’s golf industry proves that a 7.8% annual swing can drive an 18.7-trillion-won behemoth, where screen golf outpaces tradition, premium clubs are swung more than deals, and every aspect of life—from apparel to insurance to lunch at the turn—is a beautifully calculated stroke on the green.
05 · Category
Participation Rates27 stats
01
In 2023, 6.8 million South Koreans participated in golf at least once, representing 13.2% of the population.
02
Screen golf participation reached 4.2 million players in Korea in 2023, up 18% from 2022.
03
Traditional outdoor golf rounds played totaled 52 million in Korea 2023.
04
Female golfers in Korea numbered 2.9 million in 2023, comprising 42.6% of total players.
05
Golf participation among 20-39 year olds was 28.5% in Korea 2023.
06
Corporate golfers accounted for 1.8 million participants in Korea 2023.
07
Junior golfers under 19 reached 650,000 in Korea 2023, a 14% rise.
08
Senior golfers over 60 participated at a rate of 22.1% in Korea 2023.
09
Average annual golf rounds per player in Korea was 12.4 in 2023.
10
Urban dwellers' golf participation rate hit 16.8% in Seoul metro 2023.
11
Weekend golfers made up 68% of total participants in Korea 2023.
12
First-time golfers in Korea numbered 890,000 in 2023.
13
Golf club memberships held by individuals reached 3.2 million in 2023.
14
App-based golf booking users totaled 2.1 million monthly in Korea 2023.
15
Group golf outings participated by 2.4 million Koreans in 2023.
16
Solo golf play rate increased to 15.2% among young players in 2023.
17
Night golf participation grew to 1.1 million sessions in 2023.
18
Female beginner classes enrolled 180,000 women in Korea 2023.
19
High-income earners (over 100M KRW) golf participation at 45.3% in 2023.
20
Regional participation highest in Gyeonggi at 18.4% of population 2023.
21
Golf app downloads reached 15 million in Korea by end-2023.
22
Tournament amateur entries totaled 450,000 in Korea 2023.
23
Family golf outings numbered 320,000 events in 2023.
24
Overseas Korean golfers returning to play: 120,000 in 2023.
25
Disabled golfers participated via adaptive programs: 45,000 in 2023.
26
Student golfers in school clubs: 280,000 in Korea 2023.
27
Monthly golf subscribers to indoor facilities: 1.9 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Participation Rates Interpretation
While nearly 7 million South Koreans have caught the golf bug in an impressive and democratizing surge—with women, youth, and screen golfers leading the charge—the true national passion is revealed in the delicate, ongoing negotiation between the corporate course, the weekend foursome, and the solitary player chasing a few night-time swings, all facilitated by an app.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Korea Golf Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-golf-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Korea Golf Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korea-golf-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Korea Golf Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-golf-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level