Golfzon boosts presence in global golf simulator market

A golfer practice at the Golfzon indoor range at Hong Kong International Airport on Aug. 13. / Courtesy of Golfzon

By Yoon Sung-won

Golfzon, the nation’s largest provider of screen golf systems, has supplied game simulators for Hong Kong International Airport.

The company launched the system with Hong Kong golf game system supplier GreenLive at Terminal 2 of the international airport last week. During the event, the company showcased two Vision systems and the Golfzon Driving Range (GDR) practice simulator.

“Our golf simulator and golf practice simulator installed here at the international airport have been developed based on cutting-edge simulator technologies that Golfzon has accumulated during the last 15 years,” Golfzon Global Business Division Vice President Lee Min-seop said at the launch on Aug. 13. “With the technologies, we have created a new culture of golf games and related industry that has not existed before us.

“Starting from Hong Kong, which we consider as the base camp to enter the Asian market, we will put in more drive for the global market.”

Besides the international airport, Golfzon has provided Vision golf systems and the GDR golf practice simulators in Hong Kong. Its two indoor golf practice ranges -- the first in Lai Chi Kok and the second in Kwun Tong -- operate 14 Vision systems and 15 GDR simulators, the company said.

“We believe Korean female professional golfers, who are dominating global competitions, as well as many young Korean golf talents, will also be able to maintain their best using the Vision systems and GDR simulators installed in the third Golfzon shop in Hong Kong, at the international airport,” a Golfzon official said.

Led by CEO Jang Sung-won, Golfzon dominates the domestic virtual golf industry, providing more than 80 percent of game systems and practice simulators at screen golf and indoor practice ranges nationwide. As of last year, the company had more than 5,000 golf shops in the country.

Golfzon said in its regulatory filing on July 29 it posted 13.9 billion won ($11.73 million) in operating profit in the second quarter, up 100.6 percent from a year ago. Sales stood at 59.7 billion won, up 135.5 percent year-on-year.

“We have believed that golf should no longer be exclusive for rich people and professional athletes,” the official said. “We have worked to develop and provide golf systems that help people overcome the entry barrier to play golf and expand the number of golfers by making the sport easier and more enjoyable for everyone.”

Golfzon’s Vision system is a screen simulator that helps golfers play rounds indoors regardless of time and space. The GDR is a practice simulator that provides information and analysis on the driving distances of different clubs, projected orbits and ball quality to allow golfers to practice more systematically.

The company has turned its attention to overseas markets, including China, because it does not see much expansion in the domestic market.

Golfzon’s game systems and practice simulators have been internationally recognized and have been exported to more than 30 countries in Asia, North America and Europe, the company said.

“We will first concentrate on promoting our Vision golf system and GDR simulator products in Hong Kong and seek more sales and business opportunities on the global stage,” the Golfzon official said.