Nighttime Operation Golf Courses Have Significantly Increased

Leisure White Paper 2024 Published by Korea Leisure Industry Institute
40% of 210 Locations Nationwide, Concentrated in Capital and Yeongnam Regions
Young and Female Golfers Prefer Affordable and Refreshing Green Fees

The number of golf courses operating at night has significantly increased.

This is a view of the 18th hole at Serenity CC equipped with lighting facilities.

According to the Leisure White Paper 2024 published on the 17th by the Korea Leisure Industry Research Institute, out of a total of 523 golf courses, 210 operate at night, accounting for 40.2%. By year, there were 166 courses in 2021, 184 in 2023, and 210 this year. This is attributed to the surge in golf demand during the COVID-19 boom and the fact that playing at night is cheaper and cooler.

Regionally, night golf demand is concentrated in the metropolitan area and Yeongnam region, where golf demand is abundant. The metropolitan area had the highest number with 71 courses, an increase of 6 from last year. Next were Daegu-Gyeongbuk with 40 courses, Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam with 34 courses, Gangwon with 19 courses, and Chungbuk with 18 courses. In contrast, Jeonbuk, where night golf demand is low, had only 4 courses, and Jeju Island had just 2.

Among public golf courses operating at night, those with 18 holes or more numbered 107, accounting for 41.5% of the total 258 courses, while 9-hole public courses numbered 54, making up 48.2% of the total 112 courses. In contrast, membership golf courses operating at night were 49, only 32.0% of the total 153 courses. Public golf courses operate at night to improve profitability, but membership courses avoid night operations due to concerns about turf damage and difficulties in personnel management.

Operating at night increases the number of users and revenue for golf courses, and golfers benefit from playing rounds at affordable prices in the cooler night hours. Bellastone CC (public 18 holes), located in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, is a representative example. The highest weekday green fee in June is 159,000 KRW and 209,000 KRW on weekends during the day, but at night it is only 99,000 KRW on weekdays and 149,000 KRW on weekends. Unlike other golf courses where caddy fees reach 150,000 to 160,000 KRW, Bellastone CC has introduced a marshal caddy system, allowing teams to use it for 100,000 KRW. Playing golf at night at Bellastone CC saves about 72,500 KRW per person compared to playing during the day.

Director Seocheon Beom said, "Rather than playing golf during the hot and expensive daytime, playing at night is cheaper and cooler, so thrifty golfers such as young people and female golfers prefer night games," adding, "Golf courses can earn additional income."

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