New Business Model Shapes the Future of Urban Golf
SEOUL, South Korea – GOLFZON Co., Ltd., led by independent CEOs Park Kang-Soo and Choi Duk-Hyung, announces the official launch of its urban golf course model, City Golf, with the initial location at Maigang Convention Center in Tianjin, China.
A hybrid golf platform combining screen golf with real greens, City Golf aims to provide a premium golf experience in the city. The 18-hole setup features one screen and one synthetic green per hole across a 106,000-square-foot indoor space. City Golf combines the advantages of screen golf with real greens to align with GOLFZON’s ESG management principles by preserving nature. While its location in China is a first for the platform, City Golf envisions global expansion to major cities worldwide.
“City Golf is the most ideal urban golf course, applying GOLFZON’s world-class golf simulator technology and golf course management expertise,” says Kim Young-Chan, Chairman of GOLFZON Newdin Group. “We expect it to become the world’s leading golf platform, offering a new and unique golf experience akin to playing a round on a real course right in the middle of the city, starting with China and expanding globally.”
Individuals conduct tee and approach shots on the screen. When they reach the green, the screen retracts for the individual to finish the hole by putting on an actual green. This unique stage provides a realistic golf course experience without constraints to shape the future of urban golf. Each of the 18 holes features specially designed greens, allowing players to experience the feel of various golf courses.
“Integrating the actual green designs into the game was crucial,” says Hong Jin-Pyo, Head of the GOLFZON City Golf TF Team. “We have perfectly established the system through collaboration with GOLFZON’s Chinese subsidiary on site.”
Maigang Convention Center also provides a glimpse into the additional amenities that City Golf venues will include. From a golf equipment store upon entering the facility, to a relaxing dining experience following play, City Golf will not only feature best-in-class simulator technology but high-quality products throughout. The comprehensive space serves as a one-stop golf entertainment arena offering golf, fitness, and dining to attract a diverse consumer base centered around golf.
City Golf’s operation in China is managed by GOLFZON’s joint venture, GOLFZON China. By leveraging its experience in leading more than 230 screen golf facilities in China, GOLFZON China embarks on establishing a new golf culture in a market where golf is looking to become more popular.
Based in Seoul, South Korea, GOLFZON has over 20 years of experience developing the world’s most advanced golf simulators. Technology is at the heart of the company, as over 360 patents have been issued for its award-winning simulators with new ones filed annually by the research and development team. This industry-leading technology delivers the most realistic indoor golf experience on the market and has established the brand’s global leadership position.
From the beginning, the company’s mission has been to make golf more fun and accessible to everyone. To date, GOLFZON has a presence in 63 countries with over 11,000 commercial sites around the world playing more than 90 million rounds a year.
ABOUT GOLFZON
GOLFZON is the global leader in golf simulator technology and market share. Its renowned models have been named “Best Golf Simulator” by Golf Digest and awarded Golf Inc. Magazine’s “Most Innovative and Exciting New Tech” honor. In recent years, the company has expanded its reach substantially in North America, including partnering with the world’s largest golf management company, Troon, to introduce GOLFZON Social entertainment venues, as well as collaborating with renowned instructor David Leadbetter on GOLFZON Leadbetter and GOLFZON Range by Leadbetter. Beyond its massive global presence, GOLFZON also hosts two professional virtual golf tournaments (GTOUR and WGTOUR) that have awarded over $10 million in total prize money.