Public Golf Courses Going Against the Trend... "Limousine Carts Are Rapidly Increasing"

97 Public Courses, 62 Membership Courses Operating Premium Carts
200,000 Won Spent Per Team, Double the Cost of Regular Carts
67 Courses in Greater Seoul for Entertainment Golf, Accounting for 42.1% of Total

This is the 'reverse trend' of domestic public golf courses.

After previously raising green fees and caddie fees, now even cart fees are being increased. Limousine carts—more than twice as expensive as regular carts—are rapidly proliferating. Although usage fees have gone up significantly, many point out that there is little tangible improvement in service quality. In the end, it is weekend golfers who are feeling the pinch.

According to the report "Status of Limousine Cart Adoption at Domestic Golf Courses" released by Korea Leisure Industry Institute on September 7, the number of public golf courses that have adopted limousine carts costing 200,000 won amounts to 97, outnumbering the 62 at membership-only courses.

Limousine carts are rapidly increasing at domestic golf courses.

Limousine carts offer ample space and enhanced convenience features. With a three-row seating arrangement, they provide comfort. Natural high-quality leather seats deliver a luxurious ride. In addition, they include USB charging ports, hot and cold cupholders, and both ventilation and heated seat functions. However, despite the comfortable round of golf for users, the prohibitively high price is a drawback.

As of this year, there are a total of 546 golf courses in Korea, including both membership and public courses. The annual number of golf users is estimated at 6 to 7 million, with the total number of rounds played per year reaching about 45 to 50 million. After the COVID-19 pandemic, while the domestic golf industry experienced visible growth, the financial burden on users has also increased.

Cart fees have risen excessively. Six-seater limousine carts, priced between 160,000 and 360,000 won, are rapidly becoming more common. By year: 28 courses in 2023, 66 in 2024, 99 in 2025, and 159 this year have introduced them. Compared to 2023, the number has surged by 5.7 times. Golf courses equipped with limousine carts now account for 38.6% of all 18-hole-or-greater courses (412 courses).

Golf courses are adopting limousine carts because they can maximize profitability. The average limousine cart fee is 200,000 won, about twice the price of a five-seater electric cart. The issue is that public golf courses—eligible for tax benefits—are particularly active in introducing limousine carts, outnumbering membership courses, which primarily serve members. Regardless of course type, limousine carts are mainly being introduced at high-end golf courses in the metropolitan area.

By region, limousine carts are concentrated in areas with high demand for business entertainment golf. The metropolitan area accounts for 67 courses, representing 42.1% of the total, followed by Gangwon Province at 28, Yeongnam region at 22, and the Chungcheong region at 21.

Weekend golfers find limousine carts burdensome. The Leisure Industry Research Institute pointed out, "The main reason for surging limousine cart demand is that there are quite a few golfers playing with corporate cards." In 2024, total spending at golf courses using corporate cards reached 2.0585 trillion won, a 10.0% surge from the previous year. The share of corporate card spending in total golf course revenue also rose by 3.0 percentage points year-on-year to 28.5% in 2024.

The annual expenditure by golfers on cart fees reached 1.1158 trillion won in 2025, a 17.0% jump from 2020. Cart fees have been raised continuously, and both the number of golf courses and users have increased significantly. The average cart fee per team at public golf courses climbed by 15.5%, from 84,400 won in 2020 to 97,500 won in 2025. For membership courses, the increase was 15.7% over the same period.

Seo Cheonbeom, head of the Leisure Industry Institute, criticized, "It is an abuse for golf courses to raise the rental fees for electric carts, which can cover their investment costs in as little as six months, every year. Even the 100,000 won fee for a five-seater cart is expensive, yet they are introducing 200,000 won limousine carts. Golf is regressing from a popular sport to a high-end luxury pastime."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.