Nine-hole public golf courses in Goyang are competing for regular players from northwestern Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province by introducing innovative services, including robot caddies, AI-powered course maintenance, short-term membership packages and targeted discounts.
Goyang CC Deploys Robot Caddies
Goyang Country Club has formally introduced 40 “Hello Caddy” robot caddies in September following a one-month trial in August. Developed by Airobot, an artificial intelligence platform company specialising in golf applications, the Hello Caddy carries a player’s bag, follows the golfer around the course and provides real-time location data, including remaining distance to the pin and penalty-area information, via an onboard device.
The robots combine the functions of a traditional caddy and a golf cart. Distance readings rely on Auto Pin Location (APL) data supplied by Voice Caddie, delivering accuracy comparable to a laser rangefinder. Goyang CC currently assigns Hello Caddy groups to the third and fourth tee-time blocks at a cost of 30,000 won per person. The service allows players to avoid separate caddy fees of 30,000–40,000 won and cart fees of 20,000–30,000 won per person.
According to Lee Won-hee, head of the customer service division at Goyang CC, the trial generated strong interest. “Customers noted that playing costs dropped sharply and that walking six to seven kilometres provided a genuine workout,” Lee said. “Demand was steady from the start, with five or six tee times fully booked. The positive response led us to expand the rollout from September, and we plan to add more units to increase the number of available tee times.”
Spring Hills CC Uses AI for Turf Care
Spring Hills Country Club maintains course conditions with two AI robots developed by X-Up: “Chaeum,” a self-driving topdressing robot that repairs divots on fairways, and “Seum,” an AI ball-mark repair robot. Both units operate in extreme heat and cold and can cover areas that would be difficult for human crews to manage comprehensively.
Chaeum achieves a divot-repair accuracy rate of 92 percent, matching typical human performance. An X-Up official stated that operating AI turf-management robots for approximately five years can reduce course maintenance costs by an average of 700 million won, potentially lowering long-term operating expenses for golfers.
Players have reported high satisfaction with course conditions. One recent visitor noted that the turf remained in strong condition despite heat waves and frequent rain, resulting in an enjoyable round on well-maintained greens.
Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics is set to redefine the golf experience far beyond convenience and cost savings. From autonomous course maintenance that ensures consistently high playing conditions to intelligent robot caddies that deliver precise, real-time insights, technology is making the game more accessible, efficient and enjoyable. As these innovations mature and spread, courses that embrace AI-driven solutions will not only enhance player satisfaction but also shape a more sustainable and competitive future for golf worldwide.
For the orignial story please visit Seoul Economic Daily
