SEOUL, June 9 (Korea Bizwire) — So-called ‘screen golf centers’, or shops with indoor golf simulators, are benefitting from the pandemic era, while driving ranges are being left behind.
KB Finance Group Inc. recently reported that driving ranges, which grew in number by an average of 1.6 percent every year between 2011 and 2019, suddenly shrank by 7.9 percent last year after some 1,000 ranges shut down.
“While golf courses saw an increasing number of visitors during the pandemic, driving ranges, considered as ‘indoor activity’ among many, suffered a direct blow,” the report said.
Screen golf centers, on the other hand, are seeing continuous growth. Golfzon, South Korea’s largest screen golf franchise, reported sales of 281 billion won (US$252 million) last year, up 21.2 percent on year despite the pandemic.
Screen golf reportedly gained popularity among consumers by offering a separate space for each group. The growing number of golfers in their 20s and 30s has also benefited screen golf centers.
Image Credit: Golfzon / Jinan County Office / photonews@koreabizwire.com
