Weekend Golfers' Complaints: Expensive and Difficult to Book

Announcement of Analysis Results on Golf Course Complaints by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission
Steady Increase in Complaints Regarding Reservations and Cancellations
Issues Highlighted: High Costs, Reservation Difficulties, and Unfriendly Service

Complaints from weekend golfers about golf courses are increasing.

This is the result of an analysis of golf course complaints announced by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission last September. Over the past three years (July 2021 to June 2024), a total of 884 complaints were collected in the complaint information analysis system. The monthly average was 21.8 cases in 2021, 24.5 in 2022, 24.3 in 2023, and 27.8 in 2024, showing a steady increase every year. Various complaints were raised, including forced bundling sales, excessive penalties, and the use of reservation macros at golf courses.

By type, reservations and cancellations accounted for 411 cases, representing 46.5% of the total. These included bundled services such as lodging and restaurant use, reservation preemption using macros, and unreasonable cancellation and refund policies. Next, unfair use such as non-compliance with usage order accounted for 370 cases or 41.9%, food-related issues were 31 cases or 3.5%, and others accounted for 8.1%.

The complaint cases are diverse. Examples include: "At public golf courses, someone preempts reservation rights, making it impossible to book at the start time," "Member golf courses do not guarantee members’ priority reservation rights," "There are cases of unfair reservations using automated programs followed by resale," and "Requests for management supervision regarding the fairness of golf course reservations."

This phenomenon also appeared in research by the Korea Golf Society. To investigate domestic golfers’ perceptions of golf courses, a survey was conducted with 1,200 male and female golfers aged 20 and over nationwide. The highest concern during rounds was high costs, cited by 663 respondents. This was followed by difficulty in making reservations (118), outdated facilities and unfriendliness (75), and long distances (74), in that order.

The Korea Golf Society stated, "Analysis of golfers’ satisfaction with golf course costs confirmed low satisfaction levels. The main reason for dissatisfaction was high costs," adding, "They desired cost reductions through reducing the role of caddies, lowering taxes to reduce golf course costs, and the creation of low-cost golf courses." The Korea Golf Society emphasized, "To increase consumer satisfaction with domestic golf courses, the costs incurred at golf courses must be lowered."

The Korea Golf Society also announced service factors affecting consumers’ intention to revisit golf courses. The society explained, "Golfers want to revisit golf courses when they feel satisfied with booking tee times and interacting with staff." The analysis showed that transparency in reservations and staff friendliness lead to repeat visits.