Weekday mornings gain ground as overseas trips stay popularSouth Korea’s golf industry is facing a clear post-pandemic correction. After the COVID-19 boom that filled tee sheets and drove sharp fee increases, participation is falling, potential new players are stepping back, and many existing golfers are changing how and where they play.
According to the 2025 Korea Golf Indicators Survey released by the Korea Golf Association (KGA) on 6 November, an estimated 5.81 million people took part in golf activities last year. That represents 15.9% of the surveyed population, down from 6.24 million (16.9%) in 2023 — a drop of roughly 430,000 participants in two years.
The pipeline of future players looks weaker as well. The number of people who had never played but said they were willing to try fell from 10.01 million (27.1%) in 2023 to 8.02 million (22.0%) last year, a decline of nearly two million. Interest among younger beginners, sometimes called “Golini,” appears to be shifting toward other activities such as tennis and running. The KGA noted that existing golfers are reducing activity at the same time as new entrants slow.
Changing motivations and rising costs
Motivations for playing have also shifted. The share of golfers who cited hobby as their main reason dropped 14.3 percentage points to 59.0%. Stress relief fell even more sharply, from 52.3% to 31.9%. Business-related play rose modestly, from 16.7% to 19.0%, suggesting corporate demand has held up better than pure leisure play.
High fees are widely seen as the main driver of the decline. Industry and government data indicate green fees at South Korean courses have risen 30–60% compared with 2019 levels. Weekday rates at major courses, including those in the Seoul metropolitan area, now commonly range from 150,000 to 250,000 won, while weekend rates run 250,000–400,000 won.
Additional costs compound the burden. The typical caddie fee is 150,000 won per group. At public courses the average has climbed from 95,000 won in 2010 to 147,000 won this year. Cart fees average around 100,000 won, and six-seat limousine carts, priced between 160,000 and 360,000 won, have grown more popular.
Adaptation on the course and beyond
Value-conscious players are responding by changing their habits. Weekday rounds now account for 62.2% of visits, up 14.1 percentage points from 2023. Morning slots on weekdays rose to 31.1% (from 21.8%), and early-morning play increased to 11.6% (from 6.7%). Provincial courses have felt the soft demand most acutely, with some struggling to fill tee times.
Many golfers are also looking overseas. Among those with international experience, Thailand ranked first at 41.8%, followed by the Philippines (32.8%), Japan (32.4%), Vietnam (30.6%) and China (18.1%). Japan’s share rose 6.3 percentage points year-on-year, helped by a weaker yen, strong food options and established tourism infrastructure.
The combination of elevated domestic costs and attractive regional alternatives is reshaping the market. While business golf remains relatively resilient, the broader leisure segment is under pressure. For operators and the wider industry, the challenge is clear: high-cost structures that made sense during the pandemic boom are now limiting accessibility and slowing both participation and new demand.
For the original story please visit Asia Business Daily.
