Golf simulation centers' revenue soars 48% on-year

Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sectors serving golf enthusiasts have thrived in South Korea.

Financial services company BC Card analyzed the sales data of golf-related businesses from June 2019 through last month and reported that the figure has increased by 18% per year on average. 

By sector, golf courses’ revenue rose 17% a year while practice ranges’ sales jumped 16% a year on average. Golf simulation establishments’ revenue surged 33% per year on average.

In particular, the golf simulation establishments' sales in the past 12 months jumped a whopping 48% year on year. Demand for the establishments was just as high on weekdays as on the weekends, the BC Card analysis showed. 

“With the popularization of golf and relaxation of social distancing, fans of the sport have moved their get-togethers to indoor golf facilities,” the report elaborated. 

SHIFT IN DEMOGRAPHIC

The newer demand for golf comes from South Koreans in their 20s and 30s. 

For the year from June 2019, those in their 50s and 60s made up 75% of the total revenue in golf-related sectors. Those in their 20s and 30s, in contrast, made up less than 6%. 

During the 12 months from last June through May, the ratio for those in their 50s and 60s reduced to 68% while the percentage for those in their 20s and 30s jumped to 9%.

Write to Nan-Sae Bin at binthere@hankyung.com
Jee Abbey Lee edited this article.