Yeah. Korean Men have mandatory 26 month service, usually between the ages of 18-24. If youre a great golfer, imagine not hitting a ball for 26 months. It would **** and you would lose so much of your game. Usually the Govt gives exceptions to players in sports that bring Korea honor (ie 2002 World Cup team who all got exemptions from the Military and Chan Ho Park got an exception for leading Korea to the Asian Cup title in baseball). But besides that, its rare.

If the numbers are indeed correct, it makes a lotta sense. Also, golf in Korea is so expensive only the rich can afford to play. Maybe that has something to do with it (getting better teachers, more practice time, etc). Grace Park came to America for golf when she was really young, and her family is very well off in Korea.