Visiting a Golf Course in Nagoya, Japan ①
Amid the rampant exploitation and unfair practices of domestic golf courses, I had the opportunity to play at a Japanese golf course from May 8th to 12th, a 4-night, 5-day trip. I learned from an acquaintance in my golf group that by purchasing a 5-year non-renewable membership for around 3 million KRW, I could enjoy golfing at a luxury 72-hole golf course (Cocopa Resort Club) in Mie Prefecture, Nagoya, at a low cost. According to the membership fees, the silver membership, which provides benefits for one named member, costs 1.5 million KRW, and the gold membership, which offers benefits for one named member and one accompanying unnamed member, costs 3 million KRW. Searching the internet, I found that this membership option was already widely known among Korean golf enthusiasts.
Deeming the conditions quite favorable, my wife and I decided to purchase the membership. This time, we embarked on a Japanese golf tour with eight elderly couples residing in Busan. Having been exposing the extortionate and unfair practices of Korean golf courses through 'Life Golf, ' I seized this opportunity to thoroughly compare Korean and Japanese golf courses during this Japanese golf tour. I will organize my observations and experiences on site and present them to you in a 10-part series titled "Visiting a Golf Course in Nagoya, Japan." I kindly ask for your support and readership. (Note by Maudae)
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- Purchased a cost-effective resort membership in Nagoya, Japan
- Realized the extent of exploitation by Korean golf courses upon visiting Japan
- Korean golf courses exploit the imbalance between supply and demand
- Japanese golf courses serve as an excellent alternative, attracting many
- No cart fees and caddy-free policy are key factors in low-cost golfing
- Korean golfers, fed up with exploitation, might form groups
Through this Japanese golf tour, I could clearly see how severe the exploitation and unfair practices are at Korean golf courses. Korean golfers today are far from being treated as 'customers.' In the absence of government intervention, 6 million Korean golfers are being thoroughly exploited and trampled by the owners of over 500 golf courses. This was a suffocating 'despair' I felt even in Japan.
However, I also sensed a 'hope' that if the government takes responsibility and reforms golf industry policies, and if golf course owners come to their senses, Korea could easily catch up with Japanese golf courses. To accelerate this hope, the 'awareness of golfers' as customers is crucial. I believe golfers also bear significant responsibility for the widespread unfair practices of Korean golf courses.
What are consumer rights and weapons? If something is too expensive, don't buy it. Don't return. If the service is poor, lodge a strong complaint. These boycotts and protests are valuable rights of the consumer. These rights keep suppliers in check. No supplier can ignore the rights and demands of consumers because it is tied to their survival. However, Korean golf courses exploit the imbalance between supply and demand, indulging in various unfair practices.
There are signs that Korean golfers are starting to wake up. Unable to bear the exorbitant costs of Korean golf courses, golfers are seeking alternatives. As the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, many golfers have turned to cost-effective overseas golf courses in Southeast Asia and Japan. The international terminal at Gimhae Airport was bustling with travelers, including many golfers.
Despite this, Korean golf courses are not taking proactive measures such as lowering green fees or introducing optional caddie-free policies. However, the crisis for Korean golf courses doesn't seem far off. Japanese golf courses are only a 1-2 hour flight away. Even when considering airfare, accommodation, and green fees, Japanese golf courses are significantly cheaper than those in Korea. The lower green fees, combined with the absence of cart fees and the caddie-free system, substantially reduce costs. These cost-effective Japanese golf courses are practically at Korea's doorstep, ready to welcome golfers.
In boxing, repeated jabs can accumulate and lead to a knockout. I believe Korean golf courses are now starting to take these jabs. Both membership and public golf courses in Korea are exorbitantly expensive. Their pricing and operations are unilateral, with no consideration for the customer. They behave like packs of hyenas, ruthlessly targeting customers' wallets.
This greedy behavior has thoroughly angered Korean golfers. Consequently, they are turning to cost-effective overseas golf courses. The next step is likely to be the formation of an organization that represents golfers' rights and voices. With 6 million golfers united, this organization could expose and challenge the illegal, corrupt, and exploitative practices of Korean golf courses, potentially leading to collective boycotts. Such collective action by golfers could prompt government intervention and force golf courses to reflect on their practices. I urge golf courses to wake up voluntarily before golfers resort to such measures.
The Story od Maudae’s life and golf continues.
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일본 골프장서 '절망'과 '희망'을 보다 <54>
<일본 나고야 골프장을 가다> ①
국내 골프장들의 폭리 갑질행태가 극성을 부리고 있는 가운데 저는 5월 8일부터 12일까지 4박 5일간 일본 골프장에서 라운드를 하는 기회를 가졌습니다. 골프 모임의 지인으로부터 5년 소멸형 회원권을 300만 원선에 구입하면 나고야 미에현에 있는 72홀 규모의 고급 골프장(코코파 리조트클럽)에서 저비용으로 골프를 즐길 수 있다는 정보를 입수했습니다. 입회금액을 보면 기명 1인에게 혜택이 주어지는 실버회원권은 150만 원이고 기명 1인과 동반 무기명 1인에게 혜택이 주어지는 골드회원권은 300만 원입니다. 인터넷을 뒤져보니 이 상품은 이미 국내 골프팬들에겐 널리 알려져 있었습니다.
썩 괜찮은 조건이라는 판단이 들었고 아내와 의논 끝에 회원권을 구입했습니다. 그리고 이번에 부산에 거주하는 8쌍의 노부부와 함께 일본 골프투어에 나선 것입니다. 저는 '인생골프'를 통해 한국 골프장들의 폭리 갑질행태를 고발해 오던 차에 이번 일본 골프투어를 통해 한국 골프장과 일본 골프장을 철저하게 비교할 수 있는 기회로 삼기로 했습니다. 일본 현장에서 보고 느낀 점을 정리, '<일본 나고야 골프장을 가다> 기획 시리즈'를 10회에 걸쳐 독자 여러분들께 소개하겠습니다. 많은 성원 당부 드립니다. <마우대 註>
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