Contemporary Safety Management of Virtual Golf in South Korea

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide implications for virtual golf safety management in Korea through the literature review of current safety issues of virtual golf industry. Research design, data, and methodology: This study employed a qualitative approach to review prior studies and related documents presenting current safety perspectives of virtual sports facility management. First, the study reviewed the experiences of virtual golf players and safety criteria suggested from previous literatures. Second, two experts in sport facility management reviewed the manuscript including implications and provided their opinions including major implications and insights for virtual sport industry. Views of experts were added to the final manuscript. Results: This study found that installation standards and safety and hygiene standards by industry are enacted for the safety management of sports facilities, however, there is a need for standards to be adjusted because the contents are general, abstract, and lack detail, thus causing difficultly to secure effectiveness. Conclusions: For virtual golf courses, it is necessary to develop a safety inspection checklist that suits the characteristics of indoor virtual golf. In this line, safety criteria need to be developed with the consideration of characteristics of screen golf to establish an efficient safety management system and create a safe use environment.