Vietnamese Golf: The Pulse from Small Practice Grounds

On a hot summer afternoon at Vinpearl Golf Course, the humid air of Hanoi made everyone tired. But on the 18th green, a 17-year-old boy named Minh was standing over a 5-meter putt to win the national youth golf championship. The stands were so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat. Minh took a deep breath, pulled the club back, and then the putt rolled. The ball rolled slowly, slowly, and dropped into the hole. The applause erupted, and I realized that cheering is never just noise; it is the heartbeat of a city. That moment stayed with me, and it made me think about the journey of Vietnamese golf. Vietnamese golf has undergone a quiet revolution over the past decade. From a sport reserved for the elite, golf has become popular with over 50 courses nationwide and thousands of young players. International tournaments like the Vietnam Masters and Vietnam Open have been held, attracting top Asian golfers. I have followed this growth since my days as a communications student in Korea, witnessing the first steps of Vietnamese golfers on the international stage. I remember in 2026, when I followed the Vietnamese national golf team at the SEA Games, I wrote a 2,000-word analysis of their tactics. But then I realized that a coach's simple gesture toward the stands told more than all those numbers. From then on, I began writing about golf differently, focusing on emotions and people. Among the rising young golfers, Nguyen Anh Minh is a notable name. At 20, Minh has competed on the Asian Tour and is gradually establishing himself. I have had the chance to follow Minh in several tournaments, and I have noticed clear progress in his technique. His swing is smooth and consistent, with an average clubhead speed of about 115 mph, comparable to top Asian golfers. His fairway hit rate is around 70%, and his green in regulation rate is 75%, impressive numbers for a young golfer. However, what impresses me most is Minh's mental strength. In a tournament in Thailand, while leading by two strokes, Minh made a bogey on the 16th hole, but he did not waver. He took a deep breath and made a birdie on the 17th to regain the advantage. That moment showed me that Minh not only has good technique but also a strong heart. I have compared Minh's style with Korean golfers, where I live. Korean golf is known for discipline and precision, while Vietnamese golf seems freer and more creative. I remember watching a Korean youth team practice, and I saw them training very systematically, repeating each movement hundreds of times. In contrast, young Vietnamese golfers often play by feel and tend to attempt riskier shots. This can be an advantage, but also a weakness. I believe that combining Vietnam's creativity with Korea's discipline could produce an outstanding generation of golfers. However, I have also noticed a problem in Vietnam's youth training system. Many young coaches, under pressure for results, often force students to play a certain style to win youth tournaments. They focus on immediate score improvement, neglecting a solid technical foundation. I have seen many young golfers with flawed technique who still win through physical strength. This could lead to serious problems in the future when they face tougher courses and greater pressure. I remember talking to a coach at a practice ground in Da Nang, who admitted that he often had to 'cram' technique into students so they could perform well in youth events, but he knew it was not good for their long-term development. In recent years, the presence of international tournaments in Vietnam has given the sport a big boost. The Vietnam Masters, first held in 2026, has attracted many top Asian golfers and given Vietnamese players the chance to compete against strong opponents. I remember watching this tournament and seeing a young Vietnamese golfer named Quang Huy, who made the top 10. Although he did not win, his performance inspired many young people. I interviewed Quang Huy after the tournament, and he said he learned a lot from competing with Asian golfers and hoped to play in bigger events. The growth of Vietnamese golf is also driven by investment from large corporations. Many new courses are built to international standards, and golf academies have been established to train the next generation. I visited an academy in Ho Chi Minh City and was impressed by the modern facilities and experienced coaching staff. However, I also noticed that the cost of playing golf remains high, which could be a barrier for young talents from low-income families. I believe that for sustainable development, we need to make golf accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Another issue I care about is the lack of professional tournaments domestically. Currently, Vietnam has only a few international events, and young golfers often have to go abroad to compete. This creates a large gap between young golfers and professionals. I have seen many talented young golfers who lack opportunities to develop due to a lack of playing grounds. I think we need to build a domestic professional tournament system with regular, ranked events so golfers can gain experience and points. I also want to talk about the role of spectators in golf's development. In Korea, golf is a very popular sport, and tournaments often attract thousands of spectators. The crowd's support creates a vibrant atmosphere and gives golfers extra motivation. In Vietnam, golf is still relatively new, and the number of spectators at courses remains limited. I believe that if we can create a strong golf culture with broad spectator participation, Vietnamese golf will grow faster. I remember watching a tournament at Long Bien Golf Course and seeing a group of young fans cheering for Vietnamese golfers. They brought flags and shouted every time a golfer made a good shot. Although they were few, their enthusiasm created a wonderful atmosphere. I think that is a positive sign for the future of Vietnamese golf. However, I have also noticed a big difference in how golf is covered by the media in Vietnam versus Korea. In Korea, golf is broadcast live on major sports channels, and famous golfers are treated as stars. In Vietnam, golf is not yet widely covered, and golfers rarely appear in mainstream media. This could be a barrier to the sport's growth because it does not generate public interest. To better understand Minh's progress, I analyzed data from his recent tournaments. In the 2026 season, Minh played 12 events on the Asian Tour and made the top 10 in three of them. His average score was 70.2, slightly better than the tour average of 71.5. His birdie rate was 25%, and his bogey rate was 12%, quite good numbers. However, Minh's weakness is bunker play, with a save rate of only 45%, below the tour average of 55%. I spoke with Minh's coach, who said they are focusing on improving this skill. One interesting thing is that Minh has a very different playing style compared to Korean golfers. While Korean golfers often play safe and precise, Minh likes to take risks and attempt difficult shots. This can be an advantage, as it helps him create unexpected birdies, but it can also be a weakness, leading to mistakes. I remember watching Minh at a tournament in Malaysia, where he attempted a shot from the rough to reach the green, a shot many golfers would not dare. It succeeded, and he made a birdie. But in another tournament, he tried a similar shot and ended up in a bunker, leading to a double bogey. This shows that Minh's risk-taking can be a double-edged sword. I believe that for sustainable development, Minh needs to learn to balance creativity and safety. He needs to know when to take risks and when to play safe. This requires tactical maturity, and I believe Minh will learn it through competitive experience. Additionally, I want to emphasize the role of coaches in Vietnamese golf's development. A good coach not only teaches technique but also understands the psychology of students and helps them develop holistically. I have met some Korean coaches working in Vietnam, and they bring a very different coaching philosophy. They focus on building a solid technical foundation and are patient with each student. I think learning from countries with developed golf is crucial, and I hope Vietnam will have more opportunities for exchange and learning. I also want to stress the importance of creating a healthy competitive environment. In some youth tournaments, I have seen unsportsmanlike behavior, such as golfers arguing with referees or disrespecting opponents. This not only harms golf's image but also affects the development of young golfers. I believe we need to educate young golfers about sportsmanship and respect so they can become professionals not only in technique but also in character. Finally, I want to talk about the expectations of fans. When I write about Vietnamese golf, I often receive positive feedback from readers. They are very interested in the sport's development and hope to see Vietnamese golfers succeed internationally. I believe fan support is a great motivation for young golfers, and I hope Vietnamese golf will continue to receive that attention. When I stood in the stands at Vinpearl Golf Course, watching Minh lift the championship trophy, I felt a surge of pride. I remembered the early days when I followed Vietnamese golf, with only a few courses and very few players. Now, things have changed a lot. And I believe that with everyone's effort, Vietnamese golf will continue to grow and achieve even greater success. In the journey of Vietnamese golf's development, there are many memorable stories. From the first golfers who had to learn by themselves to the younger generations now receiving systematic training, each person contributes to the overall growth. I believe that with patience and proper investment, Vietnamese golf will earn a worthy place on the world golf map. And I will continue to be a beat keeper, recording the memorable moments of this sport to inspire the next generation.