Distinctive, elusive and *very* unique

Within the Fifties, South Korea was one of many poorest international locations on the 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 understand how that has manifested itself in golf course design, you first must know a bit in regards to 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 house to 51 million individuals and about 500 golf programs. (Indiana, with a inhabitants of simply 7 million, has a bit over 400 programs.) Towards that backdrop, you may admire that land is at a premium. For area causes, one of the best South Korean tracks are sometimes at a distance from Seoul, they usually 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 checklist of the High 100 Programs within the World), which is about on an expansive property on Jeju Island, south of the Korean peninsula. One in all GOLF’s course-rating panelists, Adam Messix, paints a vivid image of the place.

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

“The danger-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 an incredible, 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 in 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 House owners Membership gives dream golf alongside its rugged cliff shoreline, with sea views from each gap. American architect Kyle Phillips produced this masterpiece — a beautiful routing with dramatic moments on each nines that have you ever hitting over and beside the ocean a number of occasions. Trend magnet J.B. Chung was the visionary behind the ultra-luxe resort’s creation, and his customized music room is the proper place for post-round chill-outs.

Situated northeast of Seoul, Whistling Rock is nestled into the mountains, with interrelated dashing streams and ponds serving to accent the hilly terrain. It’s value noting that the title Korea stems from Koryo, the dynasty that dominated for practically 4 centuries. Loosely translated, it means “land of excessive mountains and glowing streams.” When the South Korean conglomerate Taekwang Group determined to develop a personal 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 obtainable, South Koreans discover a manner. 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 gorgeous clubhouses of the kind not discovered anyplace else. A lot of the world’s golf equipment would crack underneath the expense of those locations. Initiation charges can run effectively over $1 million. However South Korea’s elite programs are sometimes linked to mighty firms. Instance: CJ Group’s assist of 9 Bridges and the equally spectacular Haesley.

The expertise of taking part in 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 continues to be expensive. Remedying that state of affairs isn’t simple. For now, plenty of 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 mentioned, South Koreans are irrepressibly industrious.