"Data and Enter as a Playground... Breaking Stereotypes of Golf Practice Ranges"

ShoGolf Opens Statistical Analysis Studio at Gimpo Airport Branch
Provides 27 Types of Club and Ball Data via Launch Monitor
Dedicated Eating and Drinking Area for Families and Couples Available

Golf booking platform XGOLF is transforming the culture of golf practice ranges, which have traditionally been solemn and serious. It is attempting to turn these spaces into playgrounds by analyzing training data with IT devices familiar to the younger generation, including the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), and providing music, food, and resting areas.

Family customers with children are practicing in the family seats prepared at Show Golf Gimpo Airport branch.
[Photo by XGOLF]

A representative example is the 'FlightScope Studio' operating from the 13th at XGOLF's golf practice range brand 'ShowGolf' Gimpo Airport branch. FlightScope is the manufacturer of the launch monitor 'Mevo,' which analyzes golf swings and ball trajectories. The FlightScope Studio, composed of three independent spaces, is equipped with the professional model 'Mevo Range,' which was launched domestically last month.

The Mevo Range uses cameras and radar within the device to analyze a golfer's swing and displays 27 types of data on a connected computer screen within about 2 seconds after the shot. Through this data, one can know the carry distance (distance from where the golf ball was hit to the landing point), roll distance, and how far the ball deviated left or right from the central axis. It quantifies launch angles by club and analyzes ball speed, spin rate, sweet spot hit rate, trajectory, flight time, and shot shape such as draw or fade. It also measures whether the swing follows a consistent path and the degree of face open or close angles numerically. There is also technology that visualizes swings and shots in 3D to make them easier to understand.

XGOLF distributes and sells launch monitors in Korea in three types?'Mevo' and 'Mevo+'?considering golf skill, data comprehension ability, and portability. Mevo provides 8 types of data for beginners, while Mevo+ offers 16 types of data for intermediate users.

Wonseok Han, Head of FS Business at XGOLF, explained, "Most golf practice focuses on correcting posture or getting a feel based on the golfer's swing motion. When data is generated through the launch monitor, it helps maintain consistency, as a 'shot group' forms at the point where the club moves and the ball flies."

A golfer is checking data at the 'FlightScope Studio' for swing and ball flight analysis set up at Show Golf Gimpo Airport branch.
[Photo by XGOLF]

ShowGolf Gimpo Airport branch also uniquely decorated the third-floor area among the three floors of practice bays. The entrance and walls are covered with graffiti to allow for commemorative photos, and lively music plays throughout the entire floor all day. This is a different scene from other practice ranges where users must be cautious to allow others to concentrate on practice. Each bay has a table where customers can order coffee, beverages, alcoholic drinks, and simple snacks like those found in a 'geuneuljip' (shade house). LED lighting has been installed like in a sports pub or concert hall. Along the edges of the bays, there are couple seats as well as family seats where children can be accompanied.

This kind of atmosphere is part of the 'edutainment' trend popular mainly in the United States. It combines entertainment elements where people of all ages eat, drink, and enjoy through sports or cultural activities. According to the global research firm IBISWorld, the market size of the U.S. golf practice range and family entertainment industry reached $17.57 billion (approximately 22 trillion KRW) last year, growing at an average annual rate of 11.6% over the past three years.

Seongjun Jo, CEO of XGOLF, said, "Typical golf practice ranges inevitably require users to be mindful of others, and due to the risks of flying balls and clubs, it is difficult to enter with children. We introduced a dedicated zone hoping to establish a leisure culture where families can all enjoy golf together, and the response has been better than expected."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.