Park golf booms, evolving into national healthcare industry

Park golf, once primarily a pastime for seniors, is experiencing a surge in popularity across all age groups in South Korea, transforming into a burgeoning healthcare industry. The sport's appeal lies in its accessibility, requiring only a club and ball, and its blend of aerobic and low-intensity strength training.

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Park golf was the biggest contributor to helping me overcome my illness and return to a healthy daily life.

Participants like Jeon Young-seon, 58, who recovered from early-stage stomach cancer, credit park golf with helping them regain their health. "Park golf was the biggest contributor to helping me overcome my illness and return to a healthy daily life," he said. The sport involves walking 18 holes over one to two hours, promoting leg strength and full-body muscle engagement without excessive strain on joints.

This growing interest has led to a nationwide increase in park golf courses, now exceeding 500, with a corresponding explosion in the number of enthusiasts. The sport is no longer limited to older adults; younger generations and families are increasingly participating. Park Ju-hyun, 35, observes, "I often see three generations, including grandmothers and grandchildren, exercising together at screen park golf courses near my home. It seems to be a great opportunity for intergenerational exchange."

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I often see three generations, including grandmothers and grandchildren, exercising together at screen park golf courses near my home. It seems to be a great opportunity for intergenerational exchange.

Recognizing the sport's potential, the park golf community is preparing to transition from a lifestyle sport to a healthcare industry. This evolution is partly driven by the rise in injuries from improper swings and postures due to the sport's popularity. Universities are responding by establishing park golf departments and related programs. Lee Hyun-ju, director of the lifelong education center at Dong Seoul University, which trains specialized instructors, explains, "Professional instructors with systematic training teach safe swing techniques and injury prevention stretches to seniors. This is a key process in elevating park golf into a safe and beneficial healthcare activity free from injury risks."

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Professional instructors with systematic training teach safe swing techniques and injury prevention stretches to seniors. This is a key process in elevating park golf into a safe and beneficial healthcare activity free from injury risks.