This research adopted an ethnographic method, one of the commonly used qualitative research methods and it was accomplished in the perspective of symbolic interaction by George H. Mead, in order to get an comprehensive analysis on Korean fraternal gol...
This research adopted an ethnographic method, one of the commonly used qualitative research methods and it was accomplished in the perspective of symbolic interaction by George H. Mead, in order to get an comprehensive analysis on Korean fraternal golfers' subcultural characteristics.
The informants of this research consist of the members of X and Y golf club which were organized on internet web-site with members around Busan and Gyung-nam area. Those club members not only use internet web-sites as their communication media, but also have frequent off-line gatherings. I joined and have been actively engaged in those clubs, so as to be in rapport with the members and to make an intensive investigation on the characteristics of their subculture both on-line and off-line.
Fraternal golfers(n=17) were chosen as interviewees, and 5 assistant informers including semi-professional golfers, country club employees and caddies were selected as participants in this research in order to get mutual compensation for the limits of the actual observation and in-depth interviews.
For 4 months from May 1, 2003 through Aug 31, 2003, various activities of those clubs were personally observed including regular meetings, periodical golf rounds, instant gatherings, and irregular golf rounds. In-depth interviews with 22 people were conducted in the final stage of this research. In addition, several instruments such as digital cameras, digital cam-corders, and the web-site bulletin board of each club were used to collect data needed.
On the basis of those data collected, contents analysis and classification analysis were performed. Various methods were made efficient uses in order to obtain validity and reliability, such as concentrative observation, reflective subjectivity, thick description, inquiry on fellow researchers, triangulation, member check and so on. The conclusions were drawn based on results and there are as follows;
First, Korean fraternal golfers seek to promote their heath through golf. They have the 'mind' that golf is an exercise as a significant symbol, and form the 'self' to promote their health through the participation in the game of golf. Thus, they participate in golf in order to enhance both physical and psychological health, and to diminish stress.
Second, Korean fraternal golfers intend to enhance the quality of their social life. They have the 'mind' that golf is a sociable exercise as a significant symbol, and form the 'self' to pursue harmonious personal relationship through participating in golf. And they intend to organize various social gatherings both regular and irregular in order to get compassion regardless of each member's social status or age, so one of such opportunities they enjoy is the overseas golf tour. This tendency gives influences on emphasizing the importance of golf manners and etiquettes. And amateur golfers may sometimes have inappropriate relationship with other golfers while playing golf. Making new company in these situations can be the occasion to develop an improper involvement with one another, especially with caddies. Also, through participating in golf, they want to get closer company and keep intimate companionship.
Third, Korean fraternal golfers have a tendency to be ostentatious. They have the 'mind' that golf is an aristocratic exercise as a significant symbol, and form the 'self' that recognizes they are some of the selected people who are able to play golf under the conception that golf is not for everyone. Thus, they are willing to purchase expensive country club membership, golf equipments and furthermore luxury cars in order to show off their economic ability.
Forth, Korean fraternal golfers are inclined to get indulged in golf. They have the 'mind' that golf is a sociable exercise as a significant symbol, and form the 'self' to make harmonious personal relationship through developing their own golf skill. They become indulged in golf, not only by its attractiveness, but also through their recognition that it is the sports for a few privileged people. Thus, they have the tendency to put their foremost value in everyday life on golf, and therefore, their consumption behavior also changes as such. This tendency gives influence back to their real life, so that they are likely to lay down stakes in their routine lives.
Fifth, Korean fraternal golfers like to make bets on their golf games. They have the 'mind' that golf is a game, and a social exercise as a significant symbol, and form the 'self' to develop golf skill and to enjoy golf as a play and a game. Thus, they enjoy bets such as stroke plays, skins games, las-vegas games while playing golf. And they sometimes play tricks in the middle of golf games such as the improvement of lie, throwing coins, changing location of golf balls, tricking for out of bounded balls, and so on. This tendency gives influence back to their real life, so that they are likely to play bets in their everyday lives.
Through this analysis of Korean fraternal golfers' subcultural characteristics, they are found to seek to enhance both their physical and psychological health, and their social life. And moreover, they want to show off their social status and ability through the game of golf. As the result of these characteristics, they become indulged in golf and develop gambling tendency.