A Russian travel agency specializing in North Korea tours has just launched a new and unusual package: a chance to play a round of golf at the country’s only 18-hole, regulation-size course, the Pyongyang Golf Course.
Vostok Intur, a travel agency based in Vladivostok, announced that the tour will run from September 10 to 15. The package includes golf at the Pyongyang Golf Course and visits to key attractions in the North Korean capital. While the tour is open to tourists from all over the world, it appears to be mainly targeting Russian visitors.
The full package costs $1,360 USD and includes round-trip airfare, accommodation, and a Russian-speaking guide. Golfers will pay $50 per round to play, with additional fees for equipment and services: $2 for a golf ball, $15 for club rental, $15 per hole for a golf cart, and $100 for a full-day golf cart rental.
For those intrigued by the history of the course, Vostok Intur’s promotional material also features a legendary tale. According to their website, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il is said to have played his first round at the course after it opened in 1991, allegedly finishing an incredible 38 under par with 11 holes-in-one. While this claim remains unverified, it is part of the country’s colorful and often exaggerated lore surrounding its leader’s achievements.
Located 27 km (about 17 miles) from Pyongyang, near Taesong Lake in Nampo, the Pyongyang Golf Course was completed in 1987. It was built thanks to donations from businessmen linked to Chongryon, a pro-North Korean group in Japan. The course was inaugurated as part of celebrations marking the 75th birthday of Kim Il Sung, the country’s founding leader.
North Korea has since been using the golf course to attract foreign tourists, including Americans, with the goal of generating much-needed foreign currency. The Pyongyang Amateur Golf Tournament was first held in 2011 and was followed by biannual Golf Enthusiast Tournaments every spring and fall.
Although promotional videos from North Korean tourism authorities show locals enjoying a round of golf, industry experts suggest that the course is mainly frequented by foreign diplomats and tourists, making it a rare and exclusive experience for those willing to visit the isolated nation.