Vietnamese Golf: From Practice Grounds to the Big Stage – A Journey Beyond the Swing

On a Tuesday morning at a coastal golf course in Da Nang, I witnessed a scene few people notice. An elderly caddie was meticulously cleaning each club for a young golfer who had just finished a four-hour practice session. No spectators, no cameras, only the sound of sea wind and repetitive swings. That moment reminded me of a veteran coach's words: "Golf is not a sport of perfect shots, but of people who know how to get up after every miss." The context of Vietnamese golf is changing faster than ever. In the past five years, the number of golf courses in Vietnam has increased from 30 to over 50, and the number of amateur golfers has tripled. But the interesting thing is not in those growth numbers. The interesting thing lies in how Vietnamese golf academies are quietly building a new generation of players – those who not only have good technique but also sharp tactical thinking. I spent three months following a group of young Vietnamese golfers during their preparation for international tournaments. What I realized is a quiet but meaningful transformation. Young Vietnamese golfers no longer rely only on natural talent. They are being trained under a new philosophy: discipline in every small detail, from stance, grip, to emotional management on the course. One of the bright spots of Vietnamese golf is the emergence of young golfers capable of competing at the regional level. They not only have good technique but also a rare confidence seen in the previous generation. But more importantly is how they handle pressure. In a recent tournament in Thailand, I witnessed a 19-year-old Vietnamese golfer maintain his composure after three consecutive missed putts. He didn't seem flustered. He just took a deep breath, adjusted his stance, and continued playing as if nothing had happened. But there is a paradox I noticed while following young Vietnamese golfers. While they are trained very systematically in technique, they lack experience competing in high-pressure tournaments. Domestic tournaments often have low competitive intensity, which makes it difficult for young golfers when they step onto the international stage. This is a gap that Vietnamese golf academies need to fill. I remember an afternoon at a practice facility in Hanoi, when I spoke with a Korean coach working at a Vietnamese golf academy. He shared: "Young Vietnamese golfers have great potential. They are hardworking, disciplined, and quick learners. But they need to compete more in international tournaments. Only real competition can help them develop competitive spirit." The story of Vietnamese golf development is not just about great shots. It is the story of an ecosystem gradually taking shape. From youth training academies, to professional tournaments, to the increasing interest of sponsors. All are creating a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese golf. But there is one thing I believe few people notice. That is the role of caddies in the development of Vietnamese golf. These people doing quiet work are not just club carriers. They are the ones who understand the golf course best, the weather conditions, the psychology of each golfer. They are the silent teachers that few mention. During a trip to a golf course in Central Vietnam, I had the opportunity to talk with a caddie who has been in the profession for over 20 years. He told me about the generations of golfers he has served. From foreign golfers to young Vietnamese golfers. He said: "Each golfer has a different way of playing. My job is to understand their style and help them make the right decisions on the course." The development of Vietnamese golf is also creating new economic opportunities. Golf courses are creating thousands of jobs, from caddies, course maintenance staff, to managers. Golf resorts are attracting high-end tourists from around the world. And this is creating a positive cycle: golf develops, the economy develops, and vice versa. But I also noticed a major challenge that Vietnamese golf is facing. That is the cost of playing golf is still very high compared to the average income of Vietnamese people. This makes golf still a sport for a wealthy group. And this could limit the development of Vietnamese golf in the long term, because it limits the potential talent pool. I have witnessed many young talents missing development opportunities because they don't have enough financial conditions to pursue professional golf. This is an issue that Vietnamese sports managers need to address. There need to be financial support programs for young talents, golf scholarships for disadvantaged students with aptitude. Another bright spot in Vietnamese golf development is the increasing interest of young people. In schools, golf is gradually becoming a sport loved by many students. School golf clubs are being established in many major cities. And this is creating a potential human resource for Vietnamese golf in the future. I remember an afternoon at a high school in Ho Chi Minh City, when I was invited to talk with students about golf. I was surprised to see their enthusiasm. They asked many questions about technique, strategy, how to become a professional golfer. And I realized that golf is no longer a strange sport to Vietnamese youth. But there is one thing I want to emphasize. That is the development of Vietnamese golf does not only depend on training good golfers. It also depends on building a sustainable golf ecosystem. From developing quality golf courses, to training coaching staff, to organizing professional tournaments. All these factors need to be developed in sync. During my observation of Vietnamese golf development, I had the opportunity to meet many people working in the industry. From golf course managers, to coaches, to professional golfers. And I realized that they all share a common passion for golf. They believe that golf can develop strongly in Vietnam, and they are working every day to make that happen. One of the stories that impressed me most is the story of a young golfer from Can Tho. He was born into a farming family, without conditions to play golf. But thanks to the help of a charity organization, he had the opportunity to learn golf and develop his talent. Now, he is one of the most promising young golfers in Vietnam. This story shows that if given the opportunity, talent will flourish. But I also noticed that Vietnamese golf still has much work to do. Need to improve the quality of golf courses, need to train more good coaches, need to organize more professional tournaments. And most importantly, need to make golf more accessible to everyone. I believe the future of Vietnamese golf is very bright. With economic development, with the increasing interest of young people, with the efforts of those working in the industry, Vietnamese golf will grow stronger and stronger. And I hope that one day, we will see Vietnamese golfers standing on the podium at major tournaments around the world. But the most important thing I want to emphasize is: golf is not just a sport. It is a school of life. It teaches us about patience, discipline, how to face failure. And those lessons are not only valuable on the golf course, but also in daily life. I remember a saying from an American professional golfer: "Golf is a sport of those who know how to accept failure and keep trying." And I believe that spirit is gradually forming in the Vietnamese golf community. During a recent trip to a golf course in Nha Trang, I met a group of young golfers practicing. They had no coach, no modern equipment. But they had one precious thing: passion for golf. They practiced from early morning to late afternoon, not minding sun or rain. And I realized that it is people like them who will be the future of Vietnamese golf. The development of Vietnamese golf is also attracting the attention of foreign investors. Many international golf corporations are seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam. They see the development potential of the Vietnamese golf market. And this will create new opportunities for the development of Vietnamese golf. But I also want to warn about a risk. That is the risk of developing too fast without control. If golf courses are built massively without planning, if golf academies spring up like mushrooms without quality, then this could harm the sustainable development of Vietnamese golf. I believe there needs to be a long-term golf development strategy for Vietnam. This strategy needs to include infrastructure development, human resource training, tournament organization, and most importantly, developing golf culture in the community. Vietnamese golf is at an important crossroads. If it knows how to seize the opportunity, Vietnamese golf can develop strongly and become one of the leading golf nations in the region. But without the right strategy, Vietnamese golf could miss this opportunity. I believe that with the efforts of everyone, from managers, to coaches, to golfers, to those doing quiet work like caddies, Vietnamese golf will develop strongly. And I hope that one day, we will proudly say: "Vietnamese golf has arrived." But there is one thing I want to tell young Vietnamese golfers. That is: never give up on your dreams. No matter how difficult the road ahead, no matter how many people doubt your abilities, keep trying. Because only those who never give up can achieve great things. I have witnessed many young Vietnamese golfers overcoming difficulties to achieve success. They didn't have the best conditions, didn't have the best coaches. But they had passion, perseverance, and belief in themselves. And it is those things that helped them overcome all challenges. Vietnamese golf is entering a new era. An era of development, of integration, of new opportunities. And I believe that with the efforts of everyone, Vietnamese golf will achieve brilliant successes in the future. The fall in Indonesia didn't cost me my career, it taught me how to rise in silence. And I believe Vietnamese golf is also learning how to rise after failures to reach success. The voice of the community is never noise, it is the drumbeat of the match. And the drumbeat of Vietnamese golf is growing louder. A team doesn't die from losing a match, it dies when it loses the common pulse of a whole region. And Vietnamese golf is finding its common pulse. A pulse of passion, of perseverance, and of belief in the future. There are seasons without championships, but there are pulses that make a whole city wake up together. And I believe Vietnamese golf is creating such pulses. Pulses that will lead Vietnamese golf to new heights. On an afternoon at Da Lat golf course, I had the opportunity to talk with a veteran Vietnamese golfer. He has played golf for over 30 years and has witnessed the development of Vietnamese golf through many stages. He told me: "Vietnamese golf has changed a lot. In the old days, we had to figure things out ourselves. Now, young golfers have more opportunities. But they also face more pressure." He added: "The most important thing for a golfer is not technique, but spirit. A golfer with a strong spirit will overcome all difficulties. And I believe young Vietnamese golfers are getting that spirit." I left Da Lat golf course with an optimistic feeling about the future of Vietnamese golf. I believe that with everyone's efforts, Vietnamese golf will achieve great successes. And I hope that one day, we will see Vietnamese golfers standing on the podium at major tournaments around the world. Vietnamese golf is on its journey. A journey that is not just about great shots, but a journey of people who know how to overcome difficulties, know how to rise after failure, and know how to pursue their dreams. And I believe that journey will lead Vietnamese golf to new heights.