ULSAN, South Korea — The 36-hole park golf course along the banks of the Taehwa River in Nam-gu, Ulsan, will transition to a paid-use system beginning next month, marking the first such change outside of Ulsan Grand Park.
Nam-gu District Office announced on June 24 that it will transfer the management of the Taehwa River Park Golf Course to the Nam-gu City Management Corporation, effective July 1. The course, previously operated free of charge by the Nam-gu Park Golf Association, a private organization, will now be managed by a public institution under a fee-based system.
Under the new management, usage will be limited to three-hour sessions. Operating hours will be from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. during summer months (April to September) and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter (October to March).
The district cited uncontrolled usage and environmental degradation as key reasons for the transition. Although the course was designed to accommodate approximately 450 users per day, recent daily usage has ballooned to between 700 and 900, causing significant wear to the grass and contributing to desertification of the grounds.
Frequent use immediately after rain, and during early morning hours, has made it difficult to maintain the turf and has prompted a spike in noise complaints from nearby residents, especially in summer.
While the Nam-gu Park Golf Association has opposed the introduction of fees, district officials say the decision is necessary to protect the course and maintain its function as a public sports facility. The change in management is expected to help reduce safety risks during heatwaves, shorten waiting times, and improve turf maintenance through more professional oversight.
“Given the rising demand and the need for proper maintenance, a more specialized and accountable management system is essential,” said a Nam-gu official.
Ulsan is experiencing a sharp rise in park golf participation, driven by the city’s growing elderly population. According to Ulsan City data, membership in the local Park Golf Association has surged annually—up 20% each year—from 3,873 in 2022 to 4,729 in 2023 and 6,110 in 2024. Currently, there are eight park golf courses in operation across the city.
