Will the Green Fee for Standard Public Type Change from Average to Maximum?

Amendment to Rep. Min Hyung-bae's Caddy Law 'Maximum Green Fee'
Revised Bill Expected to Reduce Metropolitan Area Green Fees by 20,000 Won

The standard green fee for public golf courses is expected to change from an average rate to a maximum rate.

On the 7th, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee (Democratic Party, Gwangju Gwangsan District), will officially propose the "Partial Amendment to the Act on the Installation and Use of Sports Facilities." The main point is to change the upper limit of green fees for public golf courses from the "average green fee" during April to June and September to November to the "maximum green fee." The average green fee for public golf courses in the metropolitan area is expected to drop by more than 20,000 KRW.

Since COVID-19, the government introduced non-membership golf courses in November 2022 to lower the soaring green fees at public golf courses. The standard green fee for public golf courses was set based on the average fee, not the maximum. Due to this regulation, golf courses exceeding the standard green fee for public golf courses (based on weekday green fees) were counted as 46 in the metropolitan area, 15 in Gangwon, and 14 in Chungbuk, totaling 87 locations, which is 34.7% of the total.

Representative Min explained, "Although the government established non-membership golf courses, the effect was nullified because the standard green fee for public golf courses was defined by the average fee. To correct this, we have prepared this amendment to the Sports Facilities Act."

If the standard green fee for public golf courses changes to the maximum rate, green fees at public golf courses, especially in the metropolitan area, are expected to decrease significantly. It is anticipated that the dissatisfaction of 5.4 million golfers will be somewhat alleviated. According to research data from the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, if the amendment to the Sports Facilities Act is implemented, the green fees for public golf courses in the metropolitan area are expected to decrease by at least 19,000 KRW on weekdays and 21,000 KRW on weekends from 204,000 KRW and 263,000 KRW respectively in October this year. The average green fee for public golf courses with 18 holes or more (251 locations) is predicted to drop by about 10,000 KRW.