From the Field to Home, the Rising Trend of 'Smart Golf'

Smart Golf Emerges as a New Trend with Massive Influx of MZ Generation

As the COVID-19 pandemic prolonged, the MZ generation, turning their attention to domestic leisure activities instead of overseas travel, has massively entered the golf scene, making the golf population younger. The photo shows Pine Digital's laser golf rangefinder, the 'PineCADDY UPL300'. Photo by Pine Digital

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] As the COVID-19 pandemic prolonged, the MZ generation, turning their attention from overseas travel to domestic leisure activities, has massively entered the golf scene, making the golf population younger.

According to the industry on the 22nd, the golf market, once considered a declining industry, has taken off with the influx of the MZ generation. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, last year the domestic golf population reached 5.29 million, and the number of golf courses nationwide increased to 505. Additionally, the golf equipment market has shown an annual growth rate of around 10%. Beyond fields, golf practice ranges, and screen golf courses, more MZ generation members are enjoying golf as a daily sport at home, and smart golf using digital devices and services is becoming the trend.

Laser Golf Distance Meter: An Essential Field Item for the MZ Generation

The most notable change in the rejuvenated golf market is the MZ generation’s visits to the field. Visiting golf courses after work to enjoy rounds and work-life balance (WLB) has become a new trend. Especially, field visits are popular as a dating course because they allow spending time solely with their own group, avoiding crowds. What stands out is that those with relatively short golf experience compensate for their lack of field experience through smart golf devices. A prime example is Fine Digital’s laser golf distance meter ‘FineCaddy UPL300.’ The product boasts a fast distance measurement speed of 0.1 seconds for general measurement and 0.3 seconds for pinfinder measurement. With just one button click, it shows the distance to the pin on the LCD screen in 0.3 seconds and can measure distances up to 1000 meters. It also provides a clear and wide view through a 6x magnification wide-angle viewfinder.

The ‘FineCaddy UPL300’ shares the same design as the award-winning ‘FineCaddy UPL100,’ which received the ‘2020 Good Design Award,’ actively targeting the fashion-sensitive tastes of the MZ generation. Moreover, it enjoys a special demand in the younger golf market due to its overwhelming price competitiveness compared to existing golf distance meter products. A Fine Digital official explained, “With the increase in the MZ generation golf population, FineCaddy sales recorded about 200% growth compared to last year,” adding, “Additionally, the Japan-targeted product ‘FineCaddy J300’ ranks first in sales on multiple online commerce platforms, establishing distance meters as essential golf items both domestically and internationally.”

Trajectory Measurement System That Transforms Golf Practice Ranges into Fields

Consistent practice is essential to improve golf skills. Many visit golf practice ranges to establish their own swing mechanism and hit the ball on a consistent trajectory. Golf practice ranges are easier for checking trajectory and distance than screen golf courses but not as effective as the field. To alleviate this spatial limitation, there is a trajectory measurement system. The ‘Toptracer Range,’ a trajectory measurement system used in PGA Tour and European Tour broadcasts, has been launched in the domestic golf market. Toptracer’s trajectory measurement system tracks flying golf balls with optical sensors and displays information such as shot speed, launch angle, trajectory, and distance on a monitor. Notably, it can analyze shots from up to 66 bays simultaneously through four cameras, and because it reflects outdoor variables such as slope and wind, it provides more accurate real-time data.

Toptracer plans to provide the trajectory measurement system ‘Toptracer Range’ to more domestic golf practice ranges, starting with Woongjin Playdoci, Ulsan Golf School, and Hwaseong Golf Club practice ranges.

Home Golf Simulator for Staying Indoors

The accessibility of golf as an indoor sport has greatly contributed to its establishment as a national hobby. With just golf clubs, one can practice swings anytime and anywhere, and tee shot practice is possible even in relatively small spaces. Above all, the appeal lies in being able to enjoy golf at home without going out by using smart golf devices. Golfzon has released the home golf simulator ‘Vision Home,’ which maximizes the enjoyment of indoor golf. ‘Vision Home,’ unveiled through Wadiz, sold out its pre-shipment volume in one day and surpassed 650 million KRW in funding within a week.

The product has the advantage of allowing users to enjoy Golfzon’s screen golf at home easily without golf clubs, golf shoes, or golf wear. It operates by connecting to a PC and using a home TV or beam projector with an HDMI port as a screen. The magnetic impact ball applied to the product delivers impact at the moment of hitting, reproducing a refreshing hitting sensation, and the high-sensitivity gyro sensor analyzes swing trajectory and speed.

An industry official commented on the smart golf trend driven by the MZ generation, saying, “As digitally savvy MZ generation members flood in, the golf industry is also rapidly becoming smarter,” and added, “The population enjoying smart golf is expected to expand beyond the MZ generation to middle-aged and older adults day by day.”