Vietnamese Golf: When the Course Is Uneven, but the Dream Has Flown Far

On a May morning in 2026, at the Seam Reap golf course in Cambodia, Nguyen Thi Thuy An – a 24-year-old woman from Hanoi – made her final putt to win the gold medal at the 32nd SEA Games. That moment was not just a personal victory, but a signal that Vietnamese golf had stepped out of the shadows of anonymity. But behind that glory lies a complex reality: golf courses remain scarce, costs are high, and the training system is not yet synchronized. Is this rapid development sustainable or just a passing fever? The context of Vietnamese golf over the past decade shows impressive growth in numbers. According to the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA), the number of golf courses has increased from about 20 to over 100, mainly concentrated in tourist areas such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc. The number of amateur golfers has also increased by 300% since 2026, reaching about 200,000 people. International tournaments such as the Vinpearl Open and Vietnam Masters have been held annually, attracting top Asian golfers. However, compared to Thailand or South Korea – countries with strong golf development – Vietnam still has a huge gap in infrastructure, training quality, and professional tournament systems. Data analysis shows that Vietnamese golfers have strengths in basic technique but weaknesses in competitive psychology and international experience. According to VGA statistics, the rate of Vietnamese players making the cut at Asian tournaments is only 35%, significantly lower than Thailand's 60%. Nguyen Thi Thuy An, currently ranked 250th in the world (OWGR), is a rare exception. She started playing golf at age 12, thanks to family investment and support from a VGA youth training fund. However, she admits that the lack of professional tournaments domestically is the biggest barrier. "In Vietnam, we only have about 5 professional tournaments per year, while in Thailand that number is 30," she shared in a recent interview. Technically, data from recent tournaments shows that Vietnamese golfers often have an advantage in driving distance but are weak in approach control. In the 2026 Vinpearl Open, Vietnamese golfers averaged 290 yards off the tee, higher than the tournament average of 285 yards. However, their greens in regulation (GIR) rate was only 62%, 5% lower than Thai golfers. This indicates a lack of consistency in fairway shots, possibly due to a shortage of highly qualified coaches. Currently, Vietnam has only about 20 internationally certified golf coaches (PGA), while Thailand has over 200. Another issue is competitive psychology. In highly competitive tournaments, young Vietnamese golfers often lose focus in the final rounds. According to sports psychologist Nguyen Van Hung, who has worked with the national golf team, "Vietnamese athletes tend to feel great pressure from family and media expectations, leading to anxiety and reduced performance." He suggests implementing a systematic psychological training program, similar to those in developed countries. Regarding the tournament system, Vietnam is making efforts to organize more events, but they remain fragmented. Besides VGA-organized tournaments, there are individual golf course events, but they lack connectivity and a points accumulation system. This makes it difficult for golfers to have continuous competition to improve their skills. Meanwhile, countries like South Korea have a professional tournament system (KGT) with over 20 events per year, allowing golfers to compete regularly. Additionally, the lack of facilities for youth training is a major weakness. Only a few golf academies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have modern training systems with TrackMan and motion analysis equipment. Most golf courses do not have dedicated practice areas for children, and the cost of a basic golf course is about 20 million VND, too high for the average Vietnamese income. However, there are positive signs. The government has begun to pay more attention to sports, and golf has been included in the list of key sports for SEA Games 2026. Moreover, businesses like VinGroup have invested in golf academies and sponsored young golfers. Cooperation with developed golf countries such as South Korea and Japan is also being promoted, through coach exchange programs and scholarships for young golfers. The development of golfers like Dang Quang Anh and Tran Le Duy Nhat is also a notable bright spot. Many believe that the rapid development of Vietnamese golf is a positive signal, but I see a potential risk: this growth could create a "bubble" without a long-term strategy. Investors are pouring money into building golf courses for real estate profits, not for sports development. Many courses are built in unsuitable areas, leading to resource waste and environmental impact. Furthermore, the cost of playing golf in Vietnam remains very high – averaging 2 million VND for an 18-hole round – making golf a sport for the elite, not the masses. This contrasts with South Korea's sustainable development model, where golf is popularized through public driving ranges and school training programs. Vietnamese golf is at a crossroads. If it can seize the opportunity from youth interest and invest strategically in the training system, Vietnamese golf could become a new force in Southeast Asia. But if it only chases economic profits, we will have a golf industry strong in quantity but weak in quality. The question is: will managers have enough vision to build a solid foundation, or will they only focus on immediate gains? When the stands are empty, the match reveals what tactics hide – and for golf, that is also true when the course is devoid of true golfers. The true value of a deal lies not in the numbers, but in the untold story. Coldness is a long-term strategy, not a character flaw.