User talk:GoStop during the holidays? Now, three generations are playing park golf!
The craze for park golf, where three generations of a family, from those in their 80s to teenagers, can enjoy it together without any burden is growing. The cost is low and the exercise effect is excellent, so it is quickly becoming a daily exercise for the elderly.
The number of registered members of the Korea Park Golf Association, which was 45,478 in 2020, tripled to 139,411 this year. The number of members has increased more than sixfold over the past five years, and the association estimates that the number will approach 300,000, including those who enjoy park golf without registering.
The reason why park golf is soaring in popularity among seniors is because the barrier to entry is low. Unlike golf, which requires a minimum of 14 pieces per set, you can participate in the game with just one stick and ball. The cost of purchasing equipment is less than one-tenth of that of golf. Green fees (course usage fees) also average 2,000 to 15,000 won, less than 5% of golf fees. In addition, golf requires lessons and practice for a short period of time until you can raise your head, but park golf does not put too much strain on the body and you can start playing right away by learning the basic movements.
According to the association, the number of park golf courses nationwide increased from 226 in 2019 to 361 last year. Although the reality is that they cannot keep up with the rapidly increasing demand, local governments across the country are steadily continuing to transform idle land or neglected parks into park golf courses. The association is dispatching at least one safety guard to over 400 park golf courses across the country and is making efforts to expand its reach to the younger and older generation. Currently, Yeongjin College, Kyungdong University, and Mokpo Science University have established and are operating a new park golf department.
The National Park Golf Tournament organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was held for the first time in Gwangju on October 5-6. About 800 people, including 600 athletes and officials, participated. Subsequently, on the 27th and 28th of the same month, the '2023 National Elderly Family Love Park Golf Competition' hosted by the association was held in Geochang, Gyeongnam, with couples and three generations.
An official from the association said on the 11th, “Three generations can play together without any burden, so it will quickly become a national sport enjoyed by all generations.”
