Distinctive, elusive and *very* unique

Within the Fifties, South Korea was one of many poorest international locations on this planet — and now it’s one of many wealthiest. That speaks to the hardworking nature of its individuals. No matter they set their minds to, high quality inevitably follows with a particular South Korean twist. To know how that has manifested itself in golf course design, you first have to know a bit concerning the nation’s geography.

South Korea is roughly the scale of Indiana, and, though it’s comprised of three,400 largely uninhabited islands, 70 p.c of its terrain is mountainous. But it’s dwelling to 51 million individuals and about 500 golf programs. (Indiana, with a inhabitants of simply 7 million, has just a little over 400 programs.) In opposition to that backdrop, you may recognize that land is at a premium. For house causes, the very best South Korean tracks are usually at a distance from Seoul, and so they capitalize on the nation’s unusual magnificence and pure options.

Take members-only 9 Bridges, the top-rated course in South Korea (and No. 87 on our listing of the High 100 Programs within the World), which is ready on an expansive property on Jeju Island, south of the Korean peninsula. One among GOLF’s course-rating panelists, Adam Messix, paints a vivid image of the place.

“Nestled on a stupendous mountain plateau above Jeju Metropolis, Ron Fream and David Dale’s design has standout holes all through,” he says.

“The chance-reward par-5 third units the tone for the spherical, and the center-line bunkers on the sixth create thrilling choices off the tee. The eighth is a tremendous, quick par 4 with a cleverly designed inexperienced advanced that proves tough for the Tour gamers on the annual CJ Cup. The angled tee shot on the eleventh is each tempting and difficult, the place birdies and double bogeys — is there any higher complement? — are available equal numbers. The ending gap is choice laden, with a number of locations to place your second shot and the potential of a heroic lengthy carry to arrange eagle on the picturesque island inexperienced. Strategic, photogenic, difficult and enjoyable, 9 Bridges strikes all the suitable chords.”

Located off the nation’s southeast coast, South Cape Homeowners Membership gives dream golf alongside its rugged cliff shoreline, with sea views from each gap. American architect Kyle Phillips produced this masterpiece — a stunning routing with dramatic moments on each nines that have you ever hitting over and beside the ocean a number of instances. Style magnet J.B. Chung was the visionary behind the ultra-luxe resort’s creation, and his customized music room is the right place for post-round chill-outs.

Positioned northeast of Seoul, Whistling Rock is nestled into the mountains, with interrelated dashing streams and ponds serving to accent the hilly terrain. It’s price noting that the identify Korea stems from Koryo, the dynasty that dominated for almost 4 centuries. Loosely translated, it means “land of excessive mountains and glowing streams.” When the South Korean conglomerate Taekwang Group determined to develop a non-public golf membership in 2006, its chairman’s marching orders have been to create a spot that achieved the “concord of artwork and nature.” Individuals Ted Robinson Sr. and Jr. designed the preliminary 27 holes and Eric Iverson later refined it with some fabulous greens and suave bunkering.

Even when land isn’t simply accessible, South Koreans discover a method. That’s what occurred on the mainland’s Jack Nicklaus Golf Membership Korea, the place property was reclaimed from the ocean to construct a course that hosted the 2015 Presidents Cup. It’s a real city course with skyscrapers, luxurious condos and a bridge serving as distinctive backdrops.

South Korea’s upper-end programs — which, by design, are breathtaking and extremely unique — embody huge, architecturally beautiful clubhouses of the kind not discovered anyplace else. Many of the world’s golf equipment would crack below the expense of those locations. Initiation charges can run nicely over $1 million. However South Korea’s elite programs are sometimes linked to mighty companies. Instance: CJ Group’s assist of 9 Bridges and the equally spectacular Haesley.

The expertise of enjoying golf on the nation’s finest programs — which additionally embody Pine Seaside and Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s Anyang CC — is a celebration of South Korea’s magnificence and prosperity. On the general public entrance, the pickings are slimmer. American architects, together with Kyle Phillips and Jim Engh, have constructed public-access programs, however public golf remains to be pricey. Remedying that state of affairs isn’t simple. For now, numerous the golf in South Korea is, as my colleague Josh Sens has described, discovered at multilevel driving ranges and the thriving sim scene.

Like we stated, South Koreans are irrepressibly industrious.