Golf Courses with Caddie Selection System Doubled Compared to 5 Years Ago

227 Locations This Year, Accounting for 40.5% of Total
Caddy Fees Soar 51% Since 2010
Expansion of Solutions to Address Caddy Shortage Expected

The number of golf courses adopting the caddie selection system has surged, according to a recent survey.

It has been found that the caddie selection system, including no-caddie and driving caddie options, is increasing.

According to the 'Leisure White Paper 2024' recently published by the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute, out of 560 golf courses as of May this year, 227 have adopted the caddie selection system, including no-caddie, marshal caddie, and driving caddie options. Golf courses with the caddie selection system accounted for 40.5% of the total. By year, there were 118 courses at the end of 2019, 166 in May 2021, 193 in May 2022, and 214 in May 2023. This represents nearly a twofold increase compared to five years ago in 2019.

The Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute analyzed on the 23rd that "the steady increase in golf courses adopting the caddie selection system is related to COVID-19. As green fees soared, golfers' demand for the caddie selection system increased, and the shortage of caddie recruitment has continued."

Among golf courses implementing the caddie selection system, public golf courses, mainly 9-hole courses, overwhelmingly lead with 167 locations. This accounts for 46.8% of the 357 public golf courses. Membership golf courses implement the system on weekdays exclusively for members at 42 locations. Military golf courses (physical training grounds) have adopted the caddie selection system at 18 out of 36 locations.

By region, Yeongnam area had the highest number with 55 courses, followed by the Seoul metropolitan area with 47, Chungcheong area with 40, and Honam area with 39. In the Gangwon area, 35 out of 61 courses use the caddie selection system, ranking first nationwide in proportion at 57.4%. Next are Honam at 52.7%, Chungcheong at 50.0%, and Yeongnam at 45.1%. The Seoul metropolitan area has the lowest proportion at 25.8%, likely due to its proximity to large cities where caddie supply is relatively easier.

There are 52 public golf courses that have fully adopted the no-caddie system, most of which are 9-hole courses. Thirty-one golf courses operate a full no-caddie system during nighttime. Among golf courses with 18 holes or more, seven have implemented the no-caddie system. These include Golfzon County Yeongam 45CC, Golfzon County Gumi, Luna X, Wolsong-ri, Hildesheim, and Cosmos Links CC. Gunsan CC operates 18 holes out of its 81 holes under the no-caddie system. Choosing the no-caddie system is cost-effective. Golfers must drive the cart, measure remaining distances, and select clubs themselves, but they can save about 37,000 KRW per person on caddie fees.

Although the number of golf courses is increasing, the shortage of caddie recruitment continues, causing caddie fees to keep rising. In 2010, the caddie fee for public golf courses was 95,000 KRW per team, but this year it jumped to 143,800 KRW, a whopping 51.4% (49,000 KRW) increase. The caddie fee for membership golf courses also rose by 51.5% during the same period. Teams paying 140,000 KRW for caddie fees are found only in the Yeongnam area and some parts of Honam, while others pay 150,000 KRW. Director Seo Cheon-beom said, "Golf courses are raising caddie fees to prevent caddie turnover. The caddie selection system is an alternative to ease the caddie supply shortage and reduce the burden on golfers."