Kim Hyoju's Comeback... The 'Hidden Secret'

Born in July 1995, Kim Hyoju is often called a "golf prodigy." She stood out from an early age, making both amateur and professional players nervous with her talent. She actually set a series of youngest-ever records. In 2012, she won tournaments in Korea (Lotte Mart Women's Open), Japan (Suntory Ladies Open), and Taiwan (Swinging Skirts), achieving the youngest-ever victory in Japan at 16 years and 332 days old, along with a remarkable 61-shot record for the lowest 18-hole score. In 2014, she won five times and claimed four titles on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour. That same September, as a non-member, she won the major Evian Championship, earning a direct ticket to the U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour. It was expected that she would quickly reach No. 1 in the world rankings, but reality proved more difficult. Golf is a sport with many variables. After winning the Bahamas Classic in 2016, she went through a slump. However, Kim Hyoju ov

Lifestyle

04.03 09:00

It's Already Heating Up...Who Will Wear the Korean Flag at the Asian Games?

Recently, Kim Seonghyun has attracted attention from the U.S. media. Golf Channel, a leading American golf media outlet, reported, "Kim Seonghyun is required to fulfill his military duty in Korea," adding, "Even if Kim Seonghyun qualifies for the Masters, he will still have to return to Korea." Kim Seonghyun was born in September 1998 and is currently 27 years old. He has not yet completed his mandatory military service. Earlier this year, he received a 90-day overseas stay extension from the Military Manpower Administration. He must return to Korea after competing in the Valero Texas Open in early April. Due to his military obligations, he will have to temporarily leave the U.S. tour. There is one way for Kim Seonghyun to resolve all these issues: by winning a gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games this fall. While the Olympics grant military exemptions for gold, silver, and bronze medalists, the Asian Games provide the exemption only to gold medalists. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Game

Lifestyle

03.28 09:00

Proactive Marketing: The Secret to KLPGA’s Success

The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) continues to perform strongly this year. Despite the ongoing economic downturn, the KLPGA has managed to host the same number of tournaments as last year, totaling 31 events, and set a new record for total prize money with 34.7 billion won. For the first time ever, every tournament this season will offer prize money of at least 1 billion won. The 2026 season began on March 12 with the Rejuran Championship at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand, and the domestic opener will be the The Siena Open, which kicks off on April 2. The key to the success of the domestic women’s tour lies in proactive marketing. For the first time this year, the KLPGA has joined forces with Hyundai Department Store to host the GREEN MASTER FESTA. Starting on March 20 and running through March 29, the event is being held at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. This golf-themed event was planned to mark the opening of the 2026 seas

Lifestyle

03.27 08:30

Where Have All the Domestic Golfers Gone?... Three Consecutive Years of Decline

The number of visitors to domestic golf courses has decreased for three consecutive years. As the surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly returns to normal levels, a combination of high usage fees, demographic changes, and growing demand for overseas golf are contributing to this trend. Even as demand has fallen, golf courses have increased cart and caddie fees, further adding to customer costs. As a result, what is being described as a "demand decrease·price increase" paradox has become entrenched. There are calls within the industry that fundamental structural changes are now unavoidable. According to the Korea Golf Course Management Association on March 23, the number of visitors to 524 golf courses nationwide last year was 46.41 million, a decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. After peaking at 50.58 million in 2022, the figure dropped to 47.72 million in 2023 and 47.41 million in 2024, continuing a downward trend. By type of course, 14.57 million visitors wen

Lifestyle

03.23 09:00

Yoon Hongbeom Inaugurated as 10th Chairman of Korea Golf Practice Range Association

The Korea Golf Driving Range Association (KGCA) announced on March 18 that it has confirmed the reappointment of Chairman Yoon Hongbeom. The previous day, the association held its 2026 regular general meeting at the Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, and elected Chairman Yoon as its leader. Since first taking office as the 7th chairman in 2014, Yoon has continued to lead the association as the 8th and 9th chairman, and will now serve as its 10th chairman. His term will last four years. During his tenure, Yoon has promoted the popularization and expansion of golf by running outreach youth golf classes in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He also achieved results through partnerships with the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA), such as the excellent golf driving range certification program and the lesson pro recruitment project. Kim Gija, CEO of Goyang Country Club and a golf driving range operator, has been appointed as Senior Vice Presid

Lifestyle

03.18 15:11

Golf Course Users in Korea Decline... Down 1 Million from Last Year

The number of visitors to domestic golf courses has declined for three consecutive years. On March 18, the Korea Golf Course Management Association announced that approximately 46.41 million people visited 524 golf courses nationwide between January 1 and December 31 last year. This figure represents a decrease of about 1 million people (2.1%) compared to the previous year. The number of visitors to domestic golf courses had reached 50.58 million in 2022, benefiting from the COVID-19 boom, but has since entered a downward trend. The number fell to 47.72 million in 2023 and further declined to 47.41 million in 2024. The association stated, "The number of golf course visitors increased following the spread of COVID-19 but has since declined." However, it added, "The figure still remains at a high level, exceeding 46 million." According to the survey, 14.57 million visitors used 152 membership-based golf courses, while 31.84 million visited 372 non-membership-based courses. The average nu

Lifestyle

03.18 10:33

"I Hate This Hole"... 'Even Tour Pros Fear It'

There are holes that even the world’s top golfers fear. One prime example is the TPC Sawgrass The Players Stadium Course (par 72, 7,352 yards) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the battleground for the fifth major of the PGA Tour, The Players Championship, with a total prize fund of 25 million dollars as of March 12 (local time). The 17th hole of this course has a notorious reputation. On the first day this year, the hole played as a par 3 at just 141 yards. For PGA Tour players, a 9-iron or pitching wedge is enough to attack the hole. The real problem, however, is the wind. The constantly changing direction and intensity of the wind over the island green make it extremely difficult to approach the hole. The green itself is small, with a diameter of only 24 meters. Even PGA Tour players lose more than 50 balls in the water here every year. It is called the "Hole of Death" or the "Devil’s Hole." In 2007, a record 93 balls were lost in the water. In 2023, 58 balls disappeared into the water

Lifestyle

03.15 09:00

The 34.7 Billion Won "War of Money": The Field Heats Up

The field is heating up. The 34.7 billion won "war of money" has begun. The Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour kicked off its 2026 season on March 12 with the Rejuran Championship (total prize money: 1.2 billion won) at Amata Spring Country Club (par 72) in Chonburi, Thailand. The KLPGA Tour will embark on a grand journey of 31 tournaments over approximately eight months, culminating with the Daebo HausD Championship (total prize money: 1 billion won) in November. This season, the KLPGA Tour unfolds as the largest "money feast" in its history. Despite the economic downturn, the number of tournaments remains unchanged from last year at 31, with total prize money reaching 34.7 billion won. According to the KLPGA Tour, "The average prize money per regular tour event is about 1.12 billion won, the largest ever," adding, "The total prize money has also increased by about 100 million won compared to last year (34.6 billion won)." Notably, for the first time ever, every t

Lifestyle

03.13 09:00