KOREA FOUNDATION

What Is behind the Boom in Golf and Tennis?

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, golf and tennis have seen rapidly growing popularity among youth. For tennis, whose boom began more recently, reserving time at indoor courts is difficult as the sport’s popularity has exploded. Golf and tennis are seeing a surge of newcomers, leading to the Korean neologism “gol-nnis,” referring to people who play both sports.

Several reasons seem to explain the sudden boom in golf and tennis, which are widely known as catering to the higher economic class, among those in their 20s and 30s. First, both are good for showing off trendy fashion and lifestyles on social media. For Korea’s Generation MZ, comprised of millennials and Generation Z, the two sports allow enjoyment of competition and highlighting one’s style at the same time. Another reason is players can socialize while keeping a comfortable distance from each other in observance of social distancing measures amid the pandemic. Sportswear makers are releasing new lines of clothing and accessories to take advantage of the boom, expanding their market by introducing multipurpose items to woo more people to both sports and launching brands specifically for tennis players.

Golf and tennis are more than merely sports; they are a form of self-expression. Their popularity is likely to continue given Generation MZ’s desire for a variety of activities.

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