Practicing Bunker Shots with Beach Sand?…Men and Women Frown at 'Golf Leisure' on Samcheok Beach

Golf Balls Fly Across the Beach from Powerful Swings
Practice Continues Dangerously Without Regard for Spectators

As people practicing golf in public places such as parks are often spotted, causing controversy, this time a man and a woman practicing golf on a beach were caught on camera, drawing frowns from onlookers. On the 29th, YTN reported on a man and woman playing golf on the beach in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, on the afternoon of the 27th.

[Photo by YTN News]

In the video, the woman first swung a golf club on the sandy beach, and the man beside her demonstrated the posture while teaching her. The golf balls flew all over the beach with strong swings. At that time, a chrysanthemum exhibition was being held on the Samcheok beach, and visitors were coming and going frequently. However, the man and woman continued their dangerous golf practice without paying any attention to this.

The informant told YTN, "I wondered if it was really a golf club, so I watched for a while, and it was indeed a golf club and ball," adding, "I thought someone could get hit if the ball flew off because they couldn’t control their strength." Netizens who saw the report reacted with comments such as, "There is a par 3 practice range, so I don’t understand why they practice in parks or on the beach," "What if a fatal accident happens like that?" and "Please be mindful of the time and place."

[Photo by YTN]

Repeated 'Irresponsible Swings' in Public Places, What Is the Reason?

Swinging golf clubs in public places used by many people, such as parks or beaches, is frequently witnessed and threatens public safety. In July, a commotion occurred when police were dispatched following a citizen report of a woman practicing golf on a lawn near the Songaksan Dulle-gil trail in Jeju. Additionally, an absurd scene was captured in a Jeju fishing port where someone climbed onto a breakwater and hit golf balls toward the sea.

In April, public outrage arose when people practicing golf on the Pungnap Earthen Fortress, a cultural heritage site in Seoul, were exposed. Last year, a man was also seen openly swinging a golf club to practice his swing in an apartment underground parking lot. The reason why people continue to be caught practicing swings in public places is that there is no proper legal basis to regulate this behavior.

When the police or local governments try to regulate it, people react by saying, "Is there a law that prohibits practicing golf here?" Due to this issue, a bill to ban golf practice in public places and impose a fine of up to 1 million won for violations was reintroduced in the 22nd National Assembly, but it has not yet been passed.