[Best Golf Courses for Walking] Gochang Country Club 'The Great Transformation of the Salt Farm Site'

Opening of Public Golf Course on Reed Field Salt Farm Site in 2006
Walking Along the Coastline, Sunset and Open Course
Gochang Beach Hotel Opens as a Stay-Type Tourism Resort
Eel, Bokbunja, Clam, Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Food
Dongho Beach, Gochang Eupseong, Seonunsa Temple Attractions

Golf is an attractive sport. It is an activity that allows healing in nature. When COVID-19 broke out in 2020, it was popular as a relatively safe sport. The charm of golf lies in being able to take care of your health while walking on green grass. Playing one round means walking more than 10,000 steps. Asia Economy has been promoting the nationwide brain health project called Hamanhacheon (One Day 10,000 Steps, One Day 1,000 Characters) exercise since 2023. From the 15th of this month to July 14th, it will start the untact ‘Golf Course Grass 10,000 Steps Walking Challenge.’ In line with this, Asia Economy introduces the ‘Best Domestic Golf Courses for Walking’ where you can enjoy exercise and health.

Gochang Country Club is a golf course built on flat salt field land, making it ideal for walking.

◆ChiGO= Jeonbuk Gochang Country Club is a course good for walking after swinging golf clubs. Unlike most domestic golf courses built on mountainous terrain, this one was made on flat land. It is located on Aehyanggaetbeol-ro, Simwon-myeon, Gochang-gun. It was designed by the famous Japanese architect Sato Kentaro. In 2006, an 18-hole (par 72) public golf course and a 3-hole (par 12) golf course, totaling 21 holes, were opened on a 763,300㎡ (about 230,000 pyeong) salt field site surrounded by reed fields. The 18-hole regular course stretches 7,037 meters in length. It has the capacity to host various tournaments.

Gochang Country Club maximizes its proximity to the sea. The course layout preserves the natural environment without damaging it as much as possible. Walking along the coastline is impressive. The sunset is also beautiful. The open course scenery, natural water hazards using seawater, and the cool breeze blowing through the pine forest all make the most of the natural environment. It is a place that offers comfort to golfers while also inspiring a spirit of challenge.

Gochang Country Club features wide fairways and a refreshing breeze blowing through the pine forest, making it an impressive course.

◆GeodGO= The beautiful scenery and well-maintained course stand out like clouds drifting by. The fairways are wide. You can naturally walk and enjoy golf. The longest 13th hole (par 5) in the Honam region is impressive. The white tee is 551 meters, and the blue tee is 578 meters. Standing on the teeing ground, the waves crossing below your eyes and the water hazard extending to the left of the hole can be intimidating. The fairway width is over 90 meters. You just need to approach steadily without greed.

Water hazards by the sea are set up on 12 holes. There are 3 additional holes called the Sky Course for golfers who feel unsatisfied with 18 holes of play. By securing an additional 231,405㎡ (about 70,000 pyeong) of land, there are plans to create a future-oriented 27-hole golf course.

Gochang Country Club is a stay-type resort golf course equipped with Gochang Beach Hotel.

◆MeokGO= This is a stay-type tourist resort golf course. In 2018, Gochang Beach Hotel was opened. It has 38 rooms, including 26 double rooms and 12 quadruple rooms. Packages that allow you to experience Gochang’s open nature and golf simultaneously are popular. The 1-night 2-day package is a popular choice among customers. It includes 36-hole green fees, cart fees, accommodation, and one breakfast. It is a place where daily living is possible. You can enjoy a drive along the West Coast Expressway.

The food also stimulates golfers. Gochang is famous for eel, bokbunja (Korean black raspberry), clams, and soy sauce marinated crab. It is the best place to enjoy healthy food after a round. Watching the sunset, which is healing just by looking at it, is also a must. Various foods can be enjoyed at the clubhouse at affordable prices. These include Ugeoji hangover soup, freshwater snail seaweed soup, sea urchin seaweed soup, Neungi mushroom beef soup, and cockle bibimbap. For four people, you can also enjoy Chadol Neungi mushroom hot pot and dumpling kimchi hot pot.

Park Chang-yeol, chairman of Gochang Country Club, has been serving as the president of the Korea Golf Course Management Association for five years since April 2019. He has held positions such as president of the Gwangju High School Alumni Association and vice president of the Hanyang University Alumni Association. He received commendations from the National Tax Service for faithful tax payment and a presidential citation. This year, he also received the Prime Minister’s Award for exemplary taxpayers. Chairman Park said, "We are doing our best to grow into a special golf course. We hope you enjoy the best rounds at this new concept country club."

Dongho Beach is a place where you can take a walk while feeling the soft sand of a pristine beach.
[Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

◆NolGO= There are many additional tourist spots good for walking near the golf course. Dongho Beach and Gushipo Beach are representative. They feature a white sand beach about 1.7 km long and 2 meters wide, dense pine forests, and gentle slopes, creating a unique terrain. Especially when the tide goes out, the white sand hardens enough to play soccer. It is cozy, surrounded by low hills. The fine white sand without any mudflats stands out.

Near the beach is Seonunsa Temple. It is the head temple of the 24th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on the northern foothills of Dosolsan Mountain. Along with Geumsansa Temple in Gimje, it has a long history, outstanding natural scenery, and valuable Buddhist cultural assets. It is a place where worship and tourism visits continue throughout the year. In addition, you can also visit Gochang Eupseong Fortress, Seokjeong Hot Springs, and the Jiseokmyo Tomb Cluster, which is recognized as a world-class cultural heritage.