Despite there being three times as many male golfers, women’s golf apparel sales were nearly twice as high as men’s in volume, according to data released from Shinsegae Mall on Sunday. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 17 (Korea Bizwire) — For the first time in South Korea, women’s golf apparel was more popular than men’s last year.
Despite there being three times as many male golfers, women’s golf apparel sales were nearly twice as high as men’s in volume, according to data released from Shinsegae Mall on Sunday.
Men’s golf apparel accounted for 58 percent and 59 percent of all golf apparel sold in 2015 and 2016, respectively, while the figures for women stood at 42 percent and 41 percent.
The two groups switched positions for the first time in 2017, with women’s products accounting for 66 percent of all golf clothes sold in the year as a result of a rise in the popularity of golf among women.
In 2015, both male and female golfers spent around 120,000 won on apparel per head. The figure among men remained around 100,000 won, while the figure for women shot to nearly 300,000, signaling a growing interest in women’s golf fashion.
“Golf is becoming more popular. With the sport less associated with business meetings now, thanks to the Kim Young-ran Act, the number of female golfers is on the rise,” a senior official at Shinsegae Mall said.
Over 3 million South Koreans visited a golf course last year, accounting for 6.8 percent of the total population, according to the 3M Golf Management Research Institute.
Over the last two years, the number of female golfers rose at double the rate of men in South Korea.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
