Korea’s golf boom is losing steam after several years of unprecedented growth. Visitor numbers have fallen from their pandemic-era peak, raising concerns that the industry’s golden era may be coming to an end.

But that may not be the right way to read the situation.

Korean golfers are not giving up the sport. They are simply becoming more selective about where, when and how they play — and increasingly looking overseas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, golf was one of the biggest beneficiaries of restrictions on international travel and indoor activities. With overseas trips largely off the table, golfers had few alternatives. Domestic courses became crowded, tee times were hard to secure and prices rose as demand surged.

The sport also attracted a new generation of enthusiasts. Younger Koreans embraced golf not only as a sport but as a lifestyle. Golf apparel became a fashion statement, while courses became popular backdrops for social media posts. For many young golfers, a round was part of a broader experience combining food, travel and leisure.

It was a powerful combination that fueled the industry’s growth.

But the conditions that fueled the boom did not last.

As international........

© The Korea Times