Vietnamese Golf: From Practice Ground to Continental Arena

The moment the 5-meter putt dropped into the hole at SEA Games 31, Nguyen Anh Minh collapsed and covered his face. The stands erupted. That was the first gold medal in golf in Vietnamese sports history. But few know that behind that moment lies a long journey full of the "absurdities" I have witnessed over the past 10 years. I believed in traditional golf textbooks for 5 years – SEA Games 31 shattered them all. Golf is not just a sport for the rich, but a place where perseverance and tactical thinking can create miracles. Vietnamese golf was once considered a sport of the elite, with a small number of players. But since 2026, when golf courses sprouted like mushrooms and young golf academies emerged, the face of Vietnamese golf has changed. From a country with no name on the Asian golf map, Vietnam now has golfers in the top 100 in Asia. This development did not come from copying foreign textbooks, but from Vietnamese coaches figuring things out themselves, combining modern techniques with the realities of tropical golf courses. Data from the Vietnam Golf Association shows that the number of registered golfers increased from 5,000 in 2026 to 30,000 in 2026. The number of golf courses increased from 20 to 80. International achievements also improved significantly: at SEA Games 31, the Vietnamese golf team won 2 golds and 1 silver. At the 2026 Asian Junior Golf Championship, Nguyen Anh Minh placed 3rd. But the interesting thing is that this development did not come from copying foreign textbooks, but from Vietnamese coaches figuring things out themselves, combining modern techniques with the realities of tropical golf courses. I have witnessed many young Vietnamese coaches spending hours analyzing swing data of each student, something that in developed countries they often use high technology, but in Vietnam, they have to do it by feel and experience. One of the most important factors is the change in tactical thinking. Previously, Vietnamese golfers often played safely, avoiding risks. But the young generation like Nguyen Anh Minh has changed that. They dare to take risks, dare to make bold shots to gain an advantage. This reflects a cultural shift in Vietnamese golf, from caution to boldness. I remember watching Nguyen Anh Minh compete at the Asian Junior Championship, he decided to hit over the water hazard on hole 18, a decision many thought was crazy, but it brought him an important birdie. That was an "absurd" moment but also the "truth" of modern golf. Another notable point is the difference in technical approach. While Korean and Japanese golfers often focus on precision and discipline, Vietnamese golfers tend to be more creative and flexible. This may be because golf course conditions in Vietnam are uneven, requiring players to adapt quickly. I have seen many young Vietnamese golfers with excellent problem-solving skills, especially in harsh weather conditions. They are not afraid to try new shots, and this creates a unique playing style. However, this creativity also has a downside. Many young golfers are overconfident in their abilities, leading to a loss of consistency. They can birdie one hole, but bogey the next. This shows they need more mental and tactical training. Vietnamese coaches need to find a way to balance creativity and stability, boldness and caution. This is a difficult problem, but not impossible to solve. Another issue is cost. Golf is an expensive sport, with costs for clubs, balls, course fees, and training. Many young talents come from families without financial means, so they face many difficulties in pursuing their passion. The government and organizations need to have support policies, such as scholarships and sponsorships, to help young talents have the opportunity to develop. I have witnessed many cases of talent being wasted because there was no money to continue training. This is a huge waste. In addition, infrastructure is also a problem. Although the number of golf courses has increased, quality is still uneven. Many golf courses in remote provinces still lack modern equipment, such as irrigation systems, lawn mowers, etc. This affects the training quality of golfers. There needs to be synchronized investment from investors, as well as strict management from authorities. Finally, I want to talk about the role of media. Media can help promote golf to the public, creating interest and support. However, currently the media still pays little attention to golf, except for major events like SEA Games. There need to be more television programs, articles, and social media channels to introduce golf, the stories of golfers, to create a strong golf community. All of this shows that Vietnamese golf is at an important turning point. We have great potential, but we need a proper development strategy. If we only focus on winning medals, we cannot develop sustainably. We need to build a comprehensive system, from youth training, to professional tournaments, to infrastructure and media. Only then can Vietnamese golf truly reach the world stage. I remember in 2026, when I was still a track and field athlete, I had a fall at the 350-meter mark in the 400m race. That fall changed my life, leading me to a career in sports commentary. I understand that in sports, nothing is certain. Everything can change in a moment. And golf is the same. A putt can take you to the pinnacle of glory, or push you into the abyss. But it is that uncertainty that makes golf so appealing. Vietnamese golf is at a crossroads. We can continue to be proud of our medals, or we can build a sustainable system where every golfer has the opportunity to develop. The question is: do we want to be a passing phenomenon, or a real force in Asian golf? I believe that if we invest properly, Vietnamese golf can reach the world. But that requires patience and long-term vision, not just fleeting victories. Look at how Thailand has done it, and learn from them. We can do it, if we dare to change. Another point is the development of women's golf. While men's golf has had some success, women's golf still has many limitations. However, with the emergence of talented female golfers like Nguyen Thuy Chau, I believe Vietnamese women's golf will make great strides in the future. We need to create conditions for female golfers to develop, from investing in training, to organizing separate tournaments for women. This not only helps Vietnamese golf develop comprehensively, but also contributes to promoting gender equality in sports. The future of Vietnamese golf lies in the hands of the young generation. They are the ones who will write new pages of history for the country's golf. But to do that, they need support from the community, the government, and sponsors. We need to create the best possible environment for them to develop. And I believe that with the efforts of everyone, Vietnamese golf will not only stop at winning medals at SEA Games, but will go further, to major tournaments like the Asian Games, and even the Olympics.