Gyeongnam Green Fees to Exceed Metropolitan Area in January Next Year

Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute’s Green Fee Comparison
January Green Fees 60,000 to 70,000 Won Cheaper Than October
Gyeongnam’s 121,000 Won Green Fee Now Higher Than the Metropolitan Area

An unusual reversal has occurred, with green fees at mid-sized golf courses in Gyeongnam now more expensive than those in the Seoul metropolitan area.

It was found that the weekday green fees at mid-sized golf courses in Gyeongnam next January are more expensive than those in the Seoul metropolitan area.

According to a comparison of peak and off-season green fees for mid-sized golf courses released on December 22 by the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute (Director: Seo Cheonbeom), the average weekday green fee at mid-sized golf courses in Gyeongnam in January is 121,000 won, which is 11,000 won higher than the Seoul metropolitan area's average of 110,000 won. In October, the average weekday green fee in the Seoul metropolitan area was 209,000 won, which was 60,000 won more expensive than Gyeongnam's 149,000 won.

For the 195 mid-sized golf courses operating in January, which is the off-season (excluding Jeju Island, based on the highest price), the weekday green fee was found to be 102,000 won and the weekend fee 133,000 won. Compared to the peak season in October, this represents a decrease of 67,000 won (39.6%) on weekdays and 77,000 won (36.7%) on weekends.

Looking at the amount of weekday green fee reductions, mid-sized golf courses in Chungbuk saw the largest decrease, with an average reduction of 108,000 won (59.7%). This is due to both a lack of local demand and fewer golfers from the Seoul metropolitan area visiting. The average reduction in the Seoul metropolitan area was 99,000 won (47.4%), and in Gangwon it was 72,000 won (40.9%).

In contrast, the reduction in green fees at mid-sized golf courses in Gyeongnam, where the climate is mild and the golfing population is large, was only 28,000 won (18.8%). In Jeonnam, the reduction was 33,000 won (22.8%).

◆ Weekday Green Fees by Region at Mid-Sized Golf Courses in January (Source: Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute)

There are 237 mid-sized golf courses with 18 holes or more. Of these, 195 courses, or 82.3%, operate in January. Among membership golf courses, 107 out of 154, or 69.5%, are open. The Leisure Industry Research Institute analyzed, "The reason the operating rate of mid-sized golf courses is higher than that of membership courses is because fixed costs such as labor and selling, general, and administrative expenses are incurred regardless, so they continue to operate even in the cold winter months to earn as much revenue as possible."

Looking at the mid-sized golf courses that close for the winter by region, Gangwon Province, which experiences heavy snowfall and severe cold, had the highest proportion at 52.9% (18 courses). This was followed by the Seoul metropolitan area at 33.9% (21 courses) and Chungbuk at 9.7% (3 courses). All golf courses in Yeongho-nam (Gyeongsang and Jeolla regions) remain open thanks to the mild climate. Seo Cheonbeom, Director of the Leisure Industry Research Institute, said, "In winter, many people either do not play golf or travel overseas to warmer places like Japan and Southeast Asia for golf trips, leading to a sharp decline in the number of users at domestic golf courses."