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“Age Is Just a Number, Par Is Forever”: Discovering Life’s Second Act Through Golf Among Korean Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Jae Hyung Park

    (Department of Sports Industry Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea)

  • Chul Won Lee

    (Department of Sports Industry Studies, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the forms of golf experiences as serious leisure among Korean older adults and to explore in-depth through phenomenological research the perspectives on such leisure activities and the meanings of actual experiences in the process of enjoying leisure. Using snowball sampling, a total of six research participants who enjoy golf experiences as serious leisure were selected, and data were collected and analyzed through in-depth interviews and participant observations conducted over approximately three months from May to August 2024. Based on this, the collected content was initially coded, repeatedly reviewed, and systematically organized and categorized. In the second stage, the context and meaning of the identified topics and phenomena were confirmed and classified to derive results. The analyzed results were as follows: freedom and liberation, emotional stability and stress relief, social connection and belongingness, and reconstruction of self-identity and life values emerged as themes. The findings of this study demonstrate that golf experiences as serious leisure are valuable leisure activities that positively impact the daily lives of older adults, indicating the benefits of golf experiences as serious leisure.

Suggested Citation

  • Jae Hyung Park & Chul Won Lee, 2026. "“Age Is Just a Number, Par Is Forever”: Discovering Life’s Second Act Through Golf Among Korean Older Adults," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:15:y:2026:i:2:p:60-:d:1847478
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