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

For 195 mid-sized golf courses operating in January, the off-season, green fees (based on the highest price, excluding Jeju Island) were found to be 102,000 won on weekdays and 133,000 won on weekends. Compared to the peak season in October, these are 67,000 won (39.6%) and 77,000 won (36.7%) cheaper on weekdays and weekends, respectively.

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

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

◆Weekday Green Fees by Region for 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 or 82.3% will be operating in January. Among membership golf courses, 107 out of 154, or 69.5%, will be open. The Leisure Industry Research Institute explained, "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 must be paid, so they continue operating even in the cold winter months in order to earn as much revenue as possible."

By region, among mid-sized golf courses that are closed for the season, Gangwon-do had the highest proportion at 52.9% (18 courses) due to heavy snowfall and severe cold. This was followed by the metropolitan area at 33.9% (21 courses) and Chungbuk at 9.7% (3 courses). Golf courses in Yeongho-nam are all operating normally thanks to the mild climate. Seo Cheonbeom, Director of the Leisure Industry Research Institute, said, "During the winter, the number of visitors to domestic golf courses drops sharply as many people either stop playing golf or travel overseas to warmer places such as Japan and Southeast Asia for golf trips."