Complaints About Golf Courses Are "Expensive" Regardless of Age, Income, or Gender

'Domestic User Perception Survey for Popularizing Golf'

Published in Journal of the Korean Golf Society
Reservations Difficulties, Outdated Facilities, and Accessibility Also Highlighted

The factor that visitors to domestic golf courses found most unsatisfactory was 'high cost.' Middle-aged and older golfers, as well as those with relatively higher income levels and golf skills, expressed more dissatisfaction with the high cost issue. To improve this, opinions mainly suggested reducing the role of caddies, who assist during games, lowering taxes imposed on golf courses, and expanding low-cost golf courses to reduce usage fees.

According to the 'Survey on Domestic Golf Course Users' Perceptions for the Popularization of Golf' published in the Journal of the Korean Golf Society on the 26th, among 999 male and female golfers nationwide aged 20 and over, 663 cited 'high cost' as the reason for dissatisfaction with golf course use. Those who answered 'difficulty in making reservations' followed with 118 people, then 'outdated facilities and unfriendliness (75 people),' and 'long distance (74 people)' in order of complaints.

Among those who responded that the fees were expensive and unsatisfactory, 459 were men and 204 were women. By age group, respondents in their 50s pointed out the high cost issue the most with 225 people. This was followed by 212 people in their 40s, 113 people aged 60 and above, 86 people in their 30s, and 27 people in their 20s.

Based on monthly income, 325 golfers earning 5 million won or more expressed dissatisfaction due to high costs, accounting for the largest proportion. Next were those earning 4 to 5 million won with 149 people, 3 to 4 million won with 102 people, less than 2 million won with 45 people, and 2 to 3 million won with 42 people. Based on average strokes, 264 people with 81 to 90 strokes were the largest group, followed by 200 people with 91 to 100 strokes, 121 people with 80 strokes or less, and 78 people with 101 strokes or more.

Summary of the Korea Golf Society's 'Survey on Domestic Golf Course Users' Perceptions for the Popularization of Golf' [Photo by Korea Golf Course Management Association website]

When surveyed on solutions to the high cost problem at golf courses using a 5-point scale, the response 'Costs should be lowered by reducing the role of game assistants or through self-play' scored an average of 3.98 points, which was high. By age group, those aged 60 and above scored the highest with an average of 4.13 points, and those in their 50s also exceeded 4 points with an average of 4.05. Based on monthly income, the 3 to 4 million won group recorded an average of 4.14 points, showing the strongest opinion on the need to reduce the role of game assistants. The 2 to 3 million won group was similar with an average of 4.12 points.

The opinion that golf course fees should be lowered through tax reductions recorded an average of 4.08 points. By age group, those in their 40s most strongly supported this with an average of 4.26 points. Monthly income-wise, the 3 to 4 million won group ranked first with an average of 4.27 points. Regarding the necessity of low-cost golf courses, the average score was 3.23 points, with the 60 and above age group scoring relatively high at 3.51 points, and the 3 to 4 million won income group scoring 3.63 points.

Experts, based on these survey results, unanimously stated, "We need to consider easing regulations on golf course construction and expanding the supply of low-cost public golf courses to lower green fees."