Park Golf Gains Popularity Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Number of Courses Doubles in One Year, with 12 New Locations
Districts Launch Classes and Host Tournaments
Gwanak District in Seoul will officially open the 'Gwanak Park Golf Course,' which has been in trial operation, on June 1. The Gwanak Park Golf Course is the first 'mountain-type park golf course' in Seoul, built with 9 holes on a 11,285-square-meter site in the Nanggok-dong area, home to Gwanaksan Mountain. This area, which once resembled an abandoned hill, had previously been plagued by numerous civil complaints due to illegal waste dumping and unauthorized parking.
The number of park golf courses opening in Seoul's autonomous districts has recently increased significantly. The photo shows residents participating in a game at Tancheon Park Golf Course. Provided by Gangnam District.
Dongjak District opened the 'Dongjak Park Golf Course' last month near Banpocheon, featuring 9 holes on a 6,151-square-meter site. Located near the exits of Dongjak Station on subway lines 4 and 9, it is considered the most accessible park golf course by public transportation in Seoul. Nowon District also reopened the Wolgye-dong Park Golf Course along Jungnangcheon, which had been in operation for the past ten years, after remodeling it earlier this month. Additionally, the district opened a second park golf course in Sanggye-dong along Jungnangcheon.
As park golf gains popularity among middle-aged and older adults, more autonomous districts in Seoul are building park golf courses. Park golf is especially popular among seniors because it can be enjoyed close to home, requires only one club, is affordable, and poses a low risk of injury.
With a surge in residents' requests for new park golf courses, Seoul has seen the addition of 12 new park golf courses in the past year alone. Hwang Jaemyung, Deputy Director of the Korea Park Golf Association, said, "From 2021, the number of park golf courses in Seoul increased by only two in three years, reaching just 13 by the end of the first half of last year. However, as of this month, there are now 25, doubling in just one year. Although securing land is more challenging than in other regions, the recent increase in new openings is remarkable." The association expects that the number of park golf courses nationwide will reach 500 by the end of this year.
Mapo District has also completed and is operating a 9-hole park golf course on a 6,000-square-meter site at Mangwon Reservoir Sports Park. Songpa District built a 9-hole park golf course on a 10,000-square-meter site at Jamsil Reservoir, alongside an athletics track. Seongdong District completely remodeled Salgoji Sports Park last year and established a new park golf course next to the soccer field. Although it is small, with only 2 holes, it features five practice driving ranges.
Each district is experimenting with a 'community-based sports welfare' model by linking these facilities to local festivals, tournaments, and classes. On May 24, Gangnam District will host the '1st Family Park Golf Tournament' at Saegok-dong Tancheon Park Golf Course. The event, aimed at bridging the leisure gap between generations, has received applications from 49 teams, totaling around 140 participants. A district official stated, "We plan to develop park golf into a sport that families can enjoy together, moving away from its image as an activity only for the elderly."
Indoor screen park golf courses are also emerging. At the end of last year, Gangnam District renovated the Dogok Senior Center and installed two indoor screen park golf facilities on the first floor. The district also established a Park Golf Academy and launched park golf classes with professional instructors. Seocho District created four indoor screen park golf rooms and a self-serve putting area at Naegok Neutinamu Rest Area, where park golf classes are also offered. Eunpyeong District installed and operates an indoor screen park golf facility at the Bulgwang 2-dong Community Center.
However, some areas are experiencing conflicts due to noise complaints within parks, a lack of parking spaces, and controversy over the concentration of use by certain age groups. Nevertheless, the number of park golf courses is expected to continue increasing. Last year, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon officially announced plans to add 77 park golf courses with a total of 700 holes in Seoul by 2026. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working to expand park golf facilities by utilizing idle spaces such as along the Han River, and the mayors of all 25 autonomous districts are cooperating, including jointly submitting a request to the Ministry of Environment for river use permits.
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