Rising Burden of Golf Membership Costs and Low Usage Frequency
Shift from Ownership to Utilization in Corporate Golf Operations
Preference for Simple and Cost-Effective Corporate Golf Reservation Services
Change is sweeping through the golf club membership market.
Golf club memberships, once considered a core asset for corporate business, are increasingly becoming a burden. In a recent survey of companies, 68% of those holding memberships responded that 'the frequency of use is low compared to the cost,' while 72% said they 'prefer a simple reservation system over complex management.' This points to the fact that the traditional membership system is no longer a practical solution. Companies cited high maintenance costs, limited usability, and complicated management procedures as major sources of dissatisfaction.
Corporate golf course management strategies are shifting from ownership to utilization-focused approaches.
Corporate golf operations are undergoing a paradigm shift. Many companies are moving away from ownership-focused strategies toward utilization-focused approaches. They are turning to integrated platforms that allow easy reservation and management of various golf courses nationwide. Unlike the highly uncertain individual membership market, corporate golf reservation services are growing based on thorough transparent management and systematic systems.
Currently, domestic golf courses are facing warning signs. After experiencing record-high performance during the COVID-19 period and rapid growth, golf courses are now on a downward trend. The previously skyrocketing acquisition prices of golf courses are falling, and this is likely to become a prolonged issue due to structural problems rather than a temporary slump. The operating performance of major golf courses has dropped by up to 20% compared to 2022.
Companies are also using golf reservation services operated by integrated golf platforms to reduce membership risks. Without the need to purchase separate memberships or go through complicated procedures, companies can use the service immediately just by registering as a corporate unit. Flexible scheduling and location selection by department or team make it optimized for operations led by working-level staff. The ability to make real-time reservations at various regional golf courses is also highly valued by practical users.
In fact, a marketing team member from a large corporation stated, "In the past, we were tied to specific golf courses, making schedule adjustments cumbersome, but now we can quickly change the location and time as needed, which has improved work efficiency." A finance industry professional also emphasized, "Traditional memberships involved high fixed costs, but the current membership model is much more reasonable since we only use it when necessary."
More than 80% of companies using corporate golf reservation services reported improved cost efficiency compared to traditional memberships. Over 70% said that the increased number of available golf courses has enhanced their utilization. Beyond simple cost savings, these changes are leading to greater operational flexibility and improved business performance. An industry insider commented, "In the post-COVID-19 corporate culture, fast and efficient golf management is required," adding, "The shift away from complex ownership toward simple and flexible golf operation models is becoming the mainstream."
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