Forging a staggering 18.5 trillion KRW industry in 2023, South Korea's golf sector is not just a pastime but a booming economic powerhouse driven by innovative screen golf, a surge in female participation, and a deep cultural integration that extends from corporate boardrooms to digital metaverses.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the total market size of the South Korean golf industry reached 18.5 trillion KRW, marking a 12% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- Golf-related revenue from memberships and green fees in Korea amounted to 7.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
- The screen golf segment in Korea generated 4.1 trillion KRW in 2023, representing 22% of total golf industry revenue.
- As of 2023, there were 6.8 million registered golfers in South Korea, up 5% from 2022.
- Screen golf players numbered 4.2 million in 2023, comprising 62% of total golfers.
- Male golfers accounted for 68% of total participants, totaling 4.6 million in 2023.
- South Korea had 1,200 golf courses as of 2023, including 850 public and 350 private.
- Total golf course holes in Korea: 45,200 in 2023.
- Screen golf venues: 12,500 locations nationwide in 2023.
- Golf equipment market sales volume: 2.1 million clubs sold in 2023.
- Golf industry direct employment: 250,000 jobs in 2023.
- Indirect jobs supported by golf: 450,000 nationwide in 2023.
- Projected market growth to 25 trillion KRW by 2028.
- Screen golf market expected to reach 7 trillion KRW by 2027.
- Golf participation forecasted to hit 8.5 million by 2025.
South Korea's massive and growing golf industry is thriving across both traditional and screen golf sectors.
Economic Impact
1Golf equipment market sales volume: 2.1 million clubs sold in 2023.
Verified2Golf industry direct employment: 250,000 jobs in 2023.
Verified3Indirect jobs supported by golf: 450,000 nationwide in 2023.
Verified4Tax revenue from golf industry: 2.4 trillion KRW in 2023.
Directional5Export value of Korean golf goods: 1.8 trillion KRW in 2023.
Single source6GDP contribution from golf: 1.2% or 42 trillion KRW equivalent in 2023.
Verified7Average green fee per round: 250,000 KRW on private courses 2023.
Verified8Caddie tip average: 50,000 KRW per round in 2023.
Verified9Corporate entertainment golf expenses: 1.5 trillion KRW deductible in 2023.
Directional10Tourism multiplier effect from golf: 3.2x spending in 2023.
Single source11Local government golf taxes: 1.1 trillion KRW collected 2023.
Verified12Investment in new facilities: 4.5 trillion KRW in 2023.
Verified13Supply chain spending by golf firms: 3.8 trillion KRW 2023.
Verified14Average salary for golf pros: 120 million KRW annually 2023.
Directional15Screen golf venue operator profits: Average 450 million KRW per site 2023.
Single source16Land value uplift from golf developments: 15% average in 2023.
Verified17Import duties on golf imports: 320 billion KRW paid 2023.
Verified18Charity contributions from golf events: 150 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified19R&D spending in golf tech: 280 billion KRW by firms 2023.
Directional20Average course operating margin: 22% for private clubs 2023.
Single source21Screen golf franchise fees: 180 billion KRW collected 2023.
Verified22Golf stock market cap total: 12 trillion KRW listed firms 2023.
Verified23Venture investments in golf startups: 650 billion KRW 2023.
Verified24Consumer spending per golfer: 4.2 million KRW annually 2023.
DirectionalEconomic Impact Interpretation
The statistics reveal that golf in Korea is far more than a leisurely pastime; it's a formidable economic ecosystem, driving everything from manufacturing might and tourism to tech innovation and tax revenue, all while remaining a notoriously expensive and exclusive affair.
Facilities and Infrastructure
1South Korea had 1,200 golf courses as of 2023, including 850 public and 350 private.
Verified2Total golf course holes in Korea: 45,200 in 2023.
Verified3Screen golf venues: 12,500 locations nationwide in 2023.
Verified4Premium 18-hole courses: 520 in operation in 2023.
Directional5Public golf courses accessible to non-members: 680 in 2023.
Single source6Indoor golf centers with simulators: 8,200 in urban areas 2023.
Verified7Golf driving ranges: 4,500 facilities with 150,000 bays in 2023.
Verified8Resort-integrated golf courses: 210 properties in 2023.
Verified9Newly opened courses in 2023: 15, adding 270 holes.
Directional10Course acreage total: 120,000 hectares under golf use in 2023.
Single source11Irrigation systems coverage: 95% of courses equipped in 2023.
Verified12LED lighting for night play: Installed on 320 courses in 2023.
Verified13Eco-friendly courses certified: 180 out of 1,200 in 2023.
Verified14Cart paths length total: 25,000 km across all courses 2023.
Directional15Clubhouse square footage aggregate: 4.2 million sqm in 2023.
Single source16Practice greens and bunkers: 2,100 facilities nationwide 2023.
Verified17Water hazard features: 1,800 ponds on courses in 2023.
Verified18Par-72 championship courses: 95 in Korea as of 2023.
Verified19Short courses (9-hole): 420 operational in 2023.
Directional20Renovated courses in past 5 years: 240 by 2023.
Single source21GPS-enabled carts: 85% fleet or 42,000 units in 2023.
Verified22Pro shop outlets at courses: 1,050 locations in 2023.
Verified23Locker room capacities total: 1.1 million lockers in 2023.
Verified24Caddie shacks: 950 structures across private courses 2023.
Directional25Heliports at golf resorts: 45 operational in 2023.
Single source26EV charging stations at courses: 2,400 installed by 2023.
Verified27Toptracer range bays: 3,200 nationwide in 2023.
Verified28Synthetic turf courses: 120 fully converted by 2023.
VerifiedFacilities and Infrastructure Interpretation
With 1,200 courses, 12,500 screen golf venues, and 45,200 holes, Korea’s golf landscape proves the nation’s obsession with the sport is less a pastime and more a meticulously irrigated, LED-lit, and GPS-guided national project.
Market Size and Growth
1In 2023, the total market size of the South Korean golf industry reached 18.5 trillion KRW, marking a 12% year-over-year growth driven by post-pandemic recovery.
Verified2Golf-related revenue from memberships and green fees in Korea amounted to 7.2 trillion KRW in 2022.
Verified3The screen golf segment in Korea generated 4.1 trillion KRW in 2023, representing 22% of total golf industry revenue.
Verified4Total golf equipment sales in South Korea hit 2.8 trillion KRW in 2023, up 15% from 2022.
Directional5Corporate golf event spending reached 1.9 trillion KRW in 2022, accounting for 10% of industry totals.
Single source6The Korean golf apparel market was valued at 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
Verified7Golf tourism contributed 850 billion KRW to the Korean economy in 2023.
Verified8Premium golf club memberships generated 3.4 trillion KRW annually as of 2023.
Verified9Indoor golf simulator installations generated 1.5 trillion KRW in revenue in 2022.
Directional10Golf course maintenance costs nationwide totaled 2.1 trillion KRW in 2023.
Single source11The overall CAGR of the Korean golf market from 2018-2023 was 8.7%.
Verified12Golf betting and related services added 450 billion KRW to the industry in 2023.
Verified13Luxury golf resort revenues reached 1.1 trillion KRW in 2022.
Verified14Golf lesson and academy fees contributed 950 billion KRW in 2023.
Directional15E-commerce golf product sales surged to 750 billion KRW in 2023.
Single source16Total golf media and broadcasting rights value stood at 320 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified17Golf insurance premiums collected nationwide were 180 billion KRW in 2022.
Verified18Franchise screen golf chain revenues hit 2.3 trillion KRW in 2023.
Verified19Golf club manufacturing exports from Korea reached 1.4 trillion KRW in 2023.
Directional20Caddie service fees aggregated to 650 billion KRW across courses in 2023.
Single source21Golf food and beverage sales at courses totaled 1.8 trillion KRW in 2022.
Verified22Pro shop revenues nationwide were 920 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified23Golf event sponsorship deals valued at 550 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified24Digital golf content streaming generated 280 billion KRW in 2023.
Directional25Golf real estate developments contributed 3.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
Single source26Youth golf program funding reached 420 billion KRW in 2022.
Verified27Senior golf league participation fees totaled 310 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified28Women's golf clinics revenue was 240 billion KRW in 2023.
Verified29Handicap tracking app subscriptions added 150 billion KRW in 2023.
Directional30Golf charity tournament proceeds reached 90 billion KRW in 2023.
Single sourceMarket Size and Growth Interpretation
The numbers don't lie: Korea's golf industry isn't just swinging for the greens, it's building an entire 18.5 trillion won ecosystem where the only thing driving harder than the post-pandemic recovery is the sheer force of its diversified economic engine.
Participation and Demographics
1As of 2023, there were 6.8 million registered golfers in South Korea, up 5% from 2022.
Verified2Screen golf players numbered 4.2 million in 2023, comprising 62% of total golfers.
Verified3Male golfers accounted for 68% of total participants, totaling 4.6 million in 2023.
Verified4Female participation in golf reached 2.2 million in 2023, a 18% increase since 2020.
Directional5Golfers aged 20-39 made up 42% of the total, or 2.85 million in 2023.
Single source6Over 50s golfers numbered 2.1 million, representing 31% of participants in 2023.
Verified7Youth golfers under 19 totaled 850,000 in 2023, up 12% YoY.
Verified8Corporate golfers (company-sponsored) reached 1.9 million in 2023.
Verified9Weekend golfers comprised 78% of total play frequency in 2023 surveys.
Directional10Average rounds per golfer annually was 28 in 2023.
Single source11Screen golf session average per user was 45 times yearly in 2023.
Verified12Seoul metropolitan area golfers totaled 3.4 million, 50% of national total in 2023.
Verified13Jeju Island golfers numbered 420,000, boosted by tourism in 2023.
Verified14Foreign resident golfers in Korea: 180,000 in 2023.
Directional15LPGA Korea tour professional players: 156 active in 2023.
Single source16Amateur handicap holders: 5.2 million as of 2023.
Verified17First-time golfers in 2023: 920,000, mostly via screen golf.
Verified18Repeat screen golf users: 3.1 million with loyalty programs in 2023.
Verified19Golf club members (traditional courses): 1.2 million in 2023.
Directional20Family golf participants: 680,000 households in 2023.
Single source21Night golf participants grew to 1.5 million in 2023.
Verified22Solo golf rounds accounted for 22% of total play in 2023.
Verified23Group golf (4-somes): 65% of outdoor rounds in 2023.
Verified24High-handicap golfers (>25): 3.4 million or 50% in 2023.
Directional25Elite amateur golfers (<5 handicap): 120,000 in 2023.
Single source26Golf app daily active users: 2.8 million in 2023.
Verified27Social media golf influencers followers total: 15 million in Korea 2023.
Verified28Tournament entrants annual average: 450,000 across events in 2023.
VerifiedParticipation and Demographics Interpretation
While South Korea's 6.8 million registered golfers are busy making weekend divots and corporate deals, the nation's real swing is happening indoors, where screen golf's virtual fairways are democratizing the sport, driving a youth-led surge in female participation and proving that the future of golf is less about the 19th hole and more about the 45th simulated session.
Trends and Future Projections
1Projected market growth to 25 trillion KRW by 2028.
Verified2Screen golf market expected to reach 7 trillion KRW by 2027.
Verified3Golf participation forecasted to hit 8.5 million by 2025.
Verified4New course openings projected: 50 by 2030.
Directional5EV cart adoption to 100% by 2028.
Single source6AI simulator penetration: 80% of venues by 2026.
Verified7Women's participation to reach 40% by 2030.
Verified8Youth programs to double to 1.7 million by 2027.
Verified9Golf tourism visitors: 2 million annually by 2028.
Directional10Sustainability certifications: 50% courses by 2030.
Single source11Metaverse golf users: 1 million by 2026.
Verified12Equipment e-sales to 60% of total by 2027.
Verified13Corporate golf decline: 20% drop by 2028 due to regulations.
Verified14Indoor golf CAGR: 15% through 2030.
Directional15Handicap digitalization: 100% by 2025.
Single source16Luxury memberships growth: 10% YoY to 2030.
Verified17Golf fitness integration: 70% facilities by 2027.
Verified18Overseas course investments: Double to 100 by 2030.
Verified19Data analytics adoption: 90% pros by 2026.
Directional20Short-game focused venues: Triple by 2028.
Single source21Personalized club fitting: 75% market by 2027.
Verified22NFT golf collectibles market: 500 billion KRW by 2028.
Verified23Drone surveillance on courses: 60% by 2026.
Verified24Wellness golf resorts: 50 new by 2030.
Directional25Esports golf tournaments: 100 events yearly by 2027.
Single source26Carbon-neutral courses: 30% by 2030.
Verified27VR training modules: Used by 2 million by 2026.
Verified28Subscription models for gear: 40% revenue by 2028.
Verified29Inclusive golf for disabled: 500,000 participants by 2030.
DirectionalTrends and Future Projections Interpretation
Korea's golf industry is not merely teeing off for the future, but is aggressively driving a tech-infused, inclusive, and sustainable revolution where your next putt might be in a simulator, your cart will be electric, and your club fitting is so personalized it knows your swing thoughts before you do.
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