From Sandlots to the Big Stage: Vietnam Golf's 30-Year Journey

Vietnam's first golf course, Da Lat Palace, was built in 2026. But it wasn't until 2026, when Song Be Golf Course opened in Binh Duong, that the modern wave of golf truly began. Three decades later, Vietnam now has over 90 golf courses, and more importantly, a generation of young golfers reaching for the international stage. I have followed Vietnamese golf since its early days. In 2026, I stood on the fairway of Song Be course, watching the country's first golfers practice with awkward swings. At that time, no one imagined that just 25 years later, Vietnam would have golfers competing in world major tournaments. Vietnam golf's development didn't come from a miraculous leap, but from steady accumulation. Golf academies began appearing in 2026, with the first foreign coaches brought in for training. National junior tournaments started in 2026, creating a structured platform for golfers born between 2026-2026. This was the foundation for the current golden generation. Looking at the bigger picture, I see three pillars that built Vietnam golf's success. First, systematic investment by major corporations in courses and academies. Second, open policies for foreign coaches and experts. Third, and most importantly, the patience of parents – those who accepted letting their children pursue a sport still unfamiliar to Vietnamese culture. But there's a paradox I've noticed over years of observation: Vietnam golf's growth didn't come from major cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but from peripheral areas. The most outstanding young golfers today all come from Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An – places with lower living costs, but with good courses and academies. This shows that talent doesn't respect administrative boundaries. I remember a conversation with an American coach at a Dong Nai academy. He said: "These kids don't have much money, but they have something more valuable – absolute focus. When they practice, there's no phone, no friends calling. Just the ball and the fairway." That statement reminded me of Rohan Browning, the Australian 100m sprinter, who told me: "Running is feeling the track surface." Both spoke about the direct connection between a person and their sport. The numbers support this story. In 2026, Vietnam had 12 professional golfers competing internationally, up from zero in 2026. The Vietnam Open attracted 156 golfers from 22 countries last year. Total prize money for professional golf events in Vietnam reached $2.5 million in 2026, a 40% increase from the previous year. But I want to talk about another number, less discussed: the retention rate of young golfers. While the number of junior golfers entering national tournaments grows 35% annually, only 12% continue pursuing professional golf after 3 years. This is a concerning figure, reflecting a reality: we're creating playgrounds, but not sustainable pathways from junior to professional golf. The stadium is empty, but the applause still echoes in my mind. I remember the moment in 2026 when young golfer Nguyen Anh Minh – then just 14 years old – shot a 67 at the Vietnam Open. The boy said nothing after the round, silently signing autographs for the children gathered around the green. That action spoke louder than any statement. Vietnam golf stands at a crossroads. One path leads to sustainable development with systematic training; the other leads to a temporary boom followed by stagnation. I've witnessed too many sports in Vietnam take the second path – heavy investment in results, neglecting the foundation. Exhaustion is not a stopping point, but a crossroads where we choose the next path. For Vietnam golf, the question isn't how many professional golfers we can produce, but how many true golf lovers we can create. Because from that love, everything else will naturally follow. I see a future where Vietnamese golfers not only compete in Asian events, but contend in majors. But that only happens when we understand that golf isn't a sport for the rich, but a sport for the patient. And Vietnamese people, as I've witnessed over 30 years, have that patience.