The purpose of this study was to predict scientifically the overall demand for Korean golf course industry and to obtain the successful strategy of management and marketing for the golf course in the next 10 years.
In order to make this prediction, r...
The purpose of this study was to predict scientifically the overall demand for Korean golf course industry and to obtain the successful strategy of management and marketing for the golf course in the next 10 years.
In order to make this prediction, regression analysis and the ARIMA (autoregressive integrate moving average model) were the methods used for statistical analysis. Data were obtained between 1975 and 2006 from the government, relevant authorities, associations, societies and individual golf clubs. Then, the Eviews Version 3 programme was used for data processing, and additionally the Delphi method was used to supplement the statistical results. The panel for the Delphi method consisted of 31 golf related experts, and the questionnaires were distributed and collected 3 times. Frequency analysis of the collected data was conducted by employing SPSS Version 12.0 for Windows.
The results show that the rate of increase in the number of customers for limitedly developed private membership golf courses over the next 10 years is estimated at 3.75%. The predicted number of customers is 16.9 million in 2010, 19 million in 2013 and 20.8 million in 2016. In case of continuously developing public golf courses, the rate of increase in the number of customers over the next 10 years is estimated at 7.16% and the predicted numbers are 8.3 million in 2010, 10.5 million in 2013 and 13.2 million in 2016. Supposing that private membership golf courses are limitedly developed and the appropriate number of customers per hole is maintained, the numbers of 18 hole courses over the next 10 years is predicted to be 236 courses in 2010, 266 in 2013 and 291 in 2016. In case of public golf courses, supposing that they are continuously developed and the number of customers per hole is maintained, the number of 18 hole courses over the next 10 years is predicted to be 74 courses in 2010, 90 in 2013 and 117 in 2016. However, if public courses are continuously developed and tend to improve at the same standard as private courses, the predicted numbers are 117 courses in 2010, 147 in 2013 and 185 in 2016.
Hence, in 2016, for private membership courses under limited development condition, the predicted number is 277 and the appropriate number of courses deduced from the predicted number of customers is 291. For public courses in 2016, the predicted number of courses is 181 and the appropriate number of courses deduced from the predicted number of customers is 185, which suggests that it would be possible for the golf course industry in Korea to achieve a balance of supply and demand.
By distributing the Delphi questionnaires 3 times, a variety of opinions were collected but the most conclusive common views are as follows. First of all, this is the list of changes expected over the next 10 years for the Korean golf course industry in order of its likelihood. (1) expansion of new sorts of golfers to the elderly, women and teenagers. (2) expansion of the public golf course market (3) development of new marketing methods due to increasing competition (4) creation of grade structure in green fees and/or membership system (5) continuous development of public golf courses (6) limited development condition of private golf courses (7) positive support from government (8) bankruptcy by increasing competition.
Next is the list of the suggested prevention measures in order of likelihood of happening. (1) thorough feasibility studies by developers (2) development of total entertainment resorts combined with other facilities (3) public golf course revitalization policy by government (4) introduction of specialized golf course managing directors (5) establishment of marketing alliances between golf courses (6) extermination of speculative membership exchange. Other measures include amalgamation of similar facilities, clear process of approvals, golf course grading system, quality improvement of public golf courses etc are suggested.
In terms of demand for private membership golf courses, the common view was a gradual decline and the reasons given are as followings (1) more developments of public courses and quality improvement (2) financial burden of high green fees (3) over-supply of golf courses already planned to be developed (4) falling attraction towards golf membership due to less rarity (5) deteriorating quality of service given to members (6) location of golf course (7) economic slump, change in business reception culture and overseas golf course preference. On the other hand, the common view of demand for public golf courses was a gradual increase and the reasons given are as follow in order of the most agreed. (1) relatively cheap green fees and easy booking (2) increased leisure time for overall population (3) government support to public facilities (4) quality improvement of public courses (5) reduced investment value in private membership.
The solutions suggested in order to improve the competitiveness of private golf courses are as follows. (1) justification of development purpose (2) differentiation of facilities and services (3) new booking system considering members (4) government support (5) marketing strategy segmentation. Internationally integrated membership system, frequent hosting of public events and non member booking system are also suggested. Also looking at public courses in order of the most agreed. (1) establishment of economical operational system for low green fees (2) organised and planned support by government authorities and organizations (3) fair public round system (4) development of diverse facilities (5) dissolution of resisting public culture against golf (6) development of themed public golf courses (7) operational service plan targeted for older customers. Overseas target marketing and quality improvement are also thought to be required.