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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Jotun_Symph
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
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 Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:05 am Post subject: driving ranges/ golf? |
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Has anyone ever been to a driving range in Seoul (not screen golf, but the ones the huge green nets)? I see them everywhere and they look like a convenient, cheap alternative to going bankrupt playing real golf in Korea.
-Do they offer both monthly memberships AND 1 time practices?
-Can I rent clubs/balls there?
-What are the prices like?
Any info would help a lot. |
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Redcap
Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject: Re: driving ranges/ golf? |
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| Jotun_Symph wrote: |
Has anyone ever been to a driving range in Seoul (not screen golf, but the ones the huge green nets)? I see them everywhere and they look like a convenient, cheap alternative to going bankrupt playing real golf in Korea.
-Do they offer both monthly memberships AND 1 time practices?
-Can I rent clubs/balls there?
-What are the prices like?
Any info would help a lot. |
1) Most offer annual and shorter term memberships. Many will allow for drop-ins, if there are openings when you arrive.
2) Yes, you can rent clubs at most ranges. Balls are included.
3) I paid 20,000-25,000 won for 1 hour.
Driving ranges in Korea are quite the departure from ones in North America. By and large, driving ranges in Korea tend to be much more modern than their North American counterparts. Balls are automatically placed on tees after every shot, and the height of the tees can be adjusted electronically, too.
One thing that quickly became apparent to me was that the environment at Korean driving ranges was more serious than those in North America. The majority of golfers at the Seoul ranges appeared to be devoting their time to improving their swings. In contrast, the priority in NA is to reach into the bag, haul out the heavy artillery, and clobber the hell out of the ball in hopes of reaching the back of the range. Perhaps by their very nature, the shorter Korean ranges place an emphasis on accuracy and shot-making.
With green fees in excess of 200,000 won at golf courses, driving ranges are a cost effective way of supporting a golf addiction. And, they're convenient. Many areas in Seoul are within a solidly hit driver from a range. Lots of these driving ranges are for all intents and purposes clubs- complete with members, club officers, a head club pro, teaching assistants, etc.
I wasn't sure if it was the Korean penchant for dressing like pros when participating in sports, or if there was a dress-code in effect, one thing was apparent: even if their skills suggested otherwise, members were sparing no expense to at least look the part of a PGA/LPGA pro. I never got harassed for wearing Khakis and a polo, but showing up in jeans and a t-shirt may not get you any further than the front desk at some ranges. |
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Jotun_Symph
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 5:13 am Post subject: Re: driving ranges/ golf? |
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| Redcap wrote: |
| Jotun_Symph wrote: |
Has anyone ever been to a driving range in Seoul (not screen golf, but the ones the huge green nets)? I see them everywhere and they look like a convenient, cheap alternative to going bankrupt playing real golf in Korea.
-Do they offer both monthly memberships AND 1 time practices?
-Can I rent clubs/balls there?
-What are the prices like?
Any info would help a lot. |
1) Most offer annual and shorter term memberships. Many will allow for drop-ins, if there are openings when you arrive.
2) Yes, you can rent clubs at most ranges. Balls are included.
3) I paid 20,000-25,000 won for 1 hour.
Driving ranges in Korea are quite the departure from ones in North America. By and large, driving ranges in Korea tend to be much more modern than their North American counterparts. Balls are automatically placed on tees after every shot, and the height of the tees can be adjusted electronically, too.
One thing that quickly became apparent to me was that the environment at Korean driving ranges was more serious than those in North America. The majority of golfers at the Seoul ranges appeared to be devoting their time to improving their swings. In contrast, the priority in NA is to reach into the bag, haul out the heavy artillery, and clobber the hell out of the ball in hopes of reaching the back of the range. Perhaps by their very nature, the shorter Korean ranges place an emphasis on accuracy and shot-making.
With green fees in excess of 200,000 won at golf courses, driving ranges are a cost effective way of supporting a golf addiction. And, they're convenient. Many areas in Seoul are within a solidly hit driver from a range. Lots of these driving ranges are for all intents and purposes clubs- complete with members, club officers, a head club pro, teaching assistants, etc.
I wasn't sure if it was the Korean penchant for dressing like pros when participating in sports, or if there was a dress-code in effect, one thing was apparent: even if their skills suggested otherwise, members were sparing no expense to at least look the part of a PGA/LPGA pro. I never got harassed for wearing Khakis and a polo, but showing up in jeans and a t-shirt may not get you any further than the front desk at some ranges. |
Thanks for the info man, that really helps me a lot. I didn't know prices were around 20,000-25,000 per hour. That's just too steep for me . If that's the case, then I'd be better off playing 18 holes of screen golf for 20,000. 18 holes on screen golf usually took us around 3-4 hours with 2 people, and you get 10 minutes of practice before playing. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:11 am Post subject: |
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Some public schools have attached driving ranges. Make nice with the guy running it (if they golf, they might have the money that one of their kids is overseas and be all buddy-buddy with you) and then you can play for free.
My school has an attached range and a guy who spent time overseas and can speak a little English and likes to show off that he knows a foreigner. A win-win. |
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