Upgraded Screen Golf Transformed the Golf Market Environment

‘Screen Golf Champions’ Kim Hongtaek and Hong Hyunji Stir Up the Field
System Advances Aid Course Management and Mental Game
Golfzon ToVision NX New Technology Realistically Recreates Actual Fields
G Tour Activation Expands to 20 Tournaments This Year
City Golf and TGL Launch Intensifies Global Market Competition

There is a notable trend in the domestic golf scene these days. Screen golf players have started to achieve good results in the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour and the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. Male players participating simultaneously in both field and screen golf (G Tour) include Kim Hong-taek and Kim Min-su, while female players include Hong Hyun-ji, Jung Soo-bin, Park Dan-yu, and Lee Sun-young. Additionally, female players Hwang Yeon-seo, Yoon Hye-rim, Shim Ji-yeon, and male player Jeon Jae-han are likely to join the regular tour next year.

'The King of Screen Golf' Kim Hong-taek is cheering immediately after winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in a playoff.
[Photo by KGA]

Kim Hong-taek is known as the "King of Screen Golf." He is a strong player with 13 wins in the G Tour, a screen golf competition. He recorded his first victory at the 2017 Dong-A Membership Group Dynamic Busan Open and reached the top again at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last May. Last month, he also achieved the best result among domestic members by finishing tied for 9th place at the Genesis Championship, co-hosted by the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour).

'The King of Screen Golf' Kim Hong-taek is demonstrating the power of screen golfers by reaching the top at this year's GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
[Photo by Volvik]

On the KLPGA Tour, Hong Hyun-ji, the "Queen of Screen Golf," is making waves. She has accumulated 9 wins in the G Tour. She is a rookie who joined the regular tour this year after winning on the Dream (2nd tier) Tour last year. In the first round of the Hana Financial Group Championship last September, she surprised everyone by taking the lead. She also contended for the title at the SangSangin-Hankyung WowNet Open last month. This year, she has twice finished in the top 10 and ranks third in rookie points.

Kim Hong-taek said that screen golf has greatly helped his tour life. "In the past, there were times when I couldn't read shots accurately, but now I almost replicate actual shots," Kim emphasized, adding, "Screen golf has indeed led to good results." He said, "I think screen and field golf are the same. I compete with the same mindset. The simulator's performance has improved, making conditions similar to the field. It’s perfect for training." He also stressed, "The G Tour is a fierce competition. It’s excellent for strengthening mental toughness in critical moments." Hong Hyun-ji shared the same view. "Screen golf is an excellent practice tool. You can learn not only ball striking but also course management," she added.

The ToVision NX simulator released by Golfzon last year perfectly replicates real shots and fields.
[Photo by Golfzon]

As the two players mentioned, the technology of screen golf has improved remarkably. One can look at Golfzon, the number one screen golf company. Since launching the Golfzon N simulator in January 2008, Golfzon has released the Real in 2011, Vision in 2012, Vision Plus in 2014, TwoVision in 2016, TwoVision Plus in 2018, and TwoVision NX (TWOVISION NX) simulator in 2023.

TwoVision NX has expanded the dimension of golf. It is Golfzon’s latest franchise-exclusive system that offers evolved graphics and high-spec hardware to experience courses as vivid as real life. It is the first screen golf system to apply the 'Unreal Engine 5,' which is near perfect in performance and functionality as a game engine. Not only the green’s lie but also the color and texture of bunkers feel like the actual field.

It is equipped with high-spec hardware such as a high-performance PC, a microphone that allows hearing vivid hitting sounds, an FHD high-definition camera, and a high-resolution kiosk. It also features Korea’s only 32-inch large touch monitor with swipe functionality to enhance ease of operation. There are new views and golfer-customized practice functions. The practice range of TwoVision NX consists of four practice modes: driving range, short game, approach shots for rough and bunker around the green, and putting.

'Queen of Screen Golf' Hong Hyun-ji is cheering after making a birdie at the 2024 Lotte Rental Lotte Rent-a-Car G Tour Women's 5th tournament.
[Photo by Golfzon]

Screen golf is expanding its presence through tournaments featuring professional players. The G Tour, launched in 2012, is the world’s first simulation professional golf tour and is representative of this trend. The total accumulated prize money of the G Tour exceeds 14.5 billion KRW. The total prize money per tournament is 70 million KRW. This year, the G Tour will hold a total of 20 tournaments, including seven events each for men and women, championships, and four mixed-gender events called the Mixed Cup. As of the 1st of the month, six events each for men and women and two mixed events have been held.

Competition to secure screen golf tournaments is also fierce. Golfzon is actively targeting the Chinese market. They introduced City Golf, a new urban golf course that solves green issues. It is a system developed for the first time in the world with the global market in mind. It is a hybrid-type golf platform new business aiming to be a "premium golf course enjoyed in the city."

Golfzon has created City Golf, combining screens and fields, in Tianjin, China, and has launched a global market strategy.
[Photo by Golfzon]

The first City Golf opened in Tianjin, China. City Golf conducts tee shots to approach shots on the screen. From play around the green, the screen opens, and play proceeds in the actual green area. Depending on the hole, approach shots and bunker shots are also possible in the green area. It provides golfers with a vivid experience as if playing on an actual field, even in the middle of the city, without weather or time restrictions. Golfzon plans to actively promote the City Golf new business, aiming to enter major global cities worldwide, starting with the Chinese market.

Screen golf tournaments are expected to expand globally. "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA) and "Golf Star" Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) are at the center of this. The Screen Golf League (TGL), featuring these two players, will launch in January next year. The first match will be held on January 7, 2025, at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA. The schedule ends before the major tournament, the Masters, in April. This tournament was originally scheduled to launch on January 9, 2024, but was postponed by one year due to the collapse of the stadium dome roof in November last year.

The screen golf league TGL, led by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will be held next January at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA.
[Photo by TGL]

TGL is a screen golf league created by Tomorrow (TMRW) Sports, co-founded by Woods and McIlroy. Besides the two players, participants include Kim Joo-hyung, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Ricky Fowler (all from the USA), Tommy Fleetwood (England), Lee Min-woo, and Adam Scott (both from Australia). Twenty-four players from the PGA Tour form six teams of four players each and compete in 15-hole match team competitions.