Vietnamese Golf 2026: From Backyard to Continental Arena

The dry sound of a golf club echoed at 6 AM on Long Bien Golf Course, Hanoi. A group of amateur golfers had arrived early, taking advantage of a few hours before the sun rose. I stood at the fence observing, watching them execute their first swings. This image reminded me of the 1990s, when I first started following golf in Vietnam – a time when golf courses were still symbols of luxury, and golfers were seen as a rare privilege. The context has changed rapidly. According to Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) data, the number of registered golfers has increased from 30,000 in 2026 to over 100,000 by the end of 2026. Golf courses are sprouting up across provinces from North to South. But the most impressive number lies in the youth training system: more than 5,000 young golfers under 18 are being systematically trained at golf academies nationwide. This boom did not appear naturally. It is driven by a generation of Vietnamese golfers making their mark on the international stage. Nguyen Anh Minh, 21, just earned a spot at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2026 – one of the most important gateways to The Masters at Augusta. This is his third consecutive top-10 finish at this tournament, an unprecedented achievement for Vietnamese golf. But what interests me is not just Nguyen Anh Minh's achievements. I care about how Vietnamese golf is building a foundation for sustainable development. During a field trip to a golf academy in Da Nang in March 2026, I witnessed a training session of young golfers. What impressed me was not the technique – although their technique was very good – but the discipline and methodology. Coaches, many of whom have played professionally in Japan and South Korea, are applying systematic training methods, from shot data analysis to competitive psychology management. VGA data shows that the rate of young Vietnamese golfers achieving a handicap of 5 or below – the level needed for professional competition – has increased from 2% in 2026 to 8% in 2026. This number reflects the improving quality of training, not just quantity. However, I notice a large gap between potential and reality. While young Vietnamese golfers have good technique, they still lack experience competing in high-pressure environments. Comparing with Japan – where I have lived and worked for over 15 years – I see the difference clearly. In Japan, young golfers compete in 20 to 30 tournaments each year, from high school level to professional events. They are accustomed to spectator pressure and media scrutiny. In Vietnam, young golfers typically compete in only 5 to 7 tournaments per year, mainly domestic events. This lack of competitive experience is a blind spot I clearly observe. I recall a conversation with a Korean coach at the golf academy in Da Nang. He told me: "The technique of Vietnamese golfers is not inferior to Korea or Japan. The problem is they have not learned how to handle pressure in decisive situations. That only comes from competitive experience." This statement reminded me of Kotona Hayashi – the 19-year-old volleyball spiker I analyzed at the V.League Japan in 2026. She had good technique, but what made her stand out was her ability to stay calm in decisive sets – a skill acquired only through hundreds of intense matches. So what is the solution? The answer lies in creating more international competition opportunities for young Vietnamese golfers. I propose that VGA should partner with regional tours like the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour to create special exemptions for young Vietnamese golfers to participate in at least 10 international tournaments each year. The cost is estimated at around 2 million USD per year – not a small number, but compared to the benefits, it is a worthwhile investment. Another perspective I want to offer: we often think of golf as an individual sport, but in reality, the development of Vietnamese golf depends heavily on the surrounding ecosystem. I have followed the development of golf in Japan since the 1990s – when Hideki Matsuyama was still a boy – until now, when he won The Masters 2026. What made the difference was not just Matsuyama's talent, but the support system around him: from family, coaches, to sponsors willing to invest long-term. In Vietnam, I see a positive signal: businesses are beginning to see the value of golf as a channel for connection and brand development. More than 20 corporate golf tournaments are held each year in Vietnam, attracting thousands of amateur golfers. But the link between these tournaments and the youth training system remains loose. I believe that if these businesses redirect a small portion of their budget – say 5% – to sponsor young golfers, we will see significant change within the next 5 years. I also want to emphasize an important point: the development of Vietnamese golf is not measured only by the number of golfers or tournaments. It is measured by the quality of the stories we create. When I wrote about Kotona Hayashi in 2026, I did not just write about her technique. I wrote about the journey of a 19-year-old girl overcoming pressure to become one of Japan's best spikers. Similarly, when I write about Nguyen Anh Minh, I do not just write about his shots. I write about a generation of Vietnamese golfers daring to dream and daring to fulfill those dreams. During a recent trip to a golf course in Ninh Binh, I met a 12-year-old boy practicing his swing with an old club. The boy told me he dreamed of becoming a professional golfer and competing at The Masters. I looked into his bright eyes and remembered myself at 20, dreaming of becoming a sports journalist. I never thought I would live in Japan, write about golf and volleyball, and have the opportunity to witness the development of Vietnamese sports on the international stage. But that boy's dream can come true, if we – sports professionals, writers, businesses – work together to build a supportive ecosystem. I look back on my 35-year journey observing and writing about sports. I have witnessed many generations of Vietnamese athletes rising on the international stage. I have seen their tears in defeat and their smiles in victory. I believe Vietnamese golf is at a critical turning point. If we do the right things – invest in training, create international competition opportunities, and build a sustainable ecosystem – then within the next 10 years, we will have Vietnamese golfers standing on the podium at major Asian tournaments. But I also want to offer a warning: rapid development can lead to risks. I have witnessed many countries – including Japan – where golf grew too fast, leading to golf courses sprouting without environmental concern, or young golfers being burned out too early by performance pressure. We need a sustainable development strategy, not just chasing immediate results. I end this article with a question: Do we – golf lovers, sports professionals, writers – have enough patience to build a solid foundation for Vietnamese golf, or will we just chase short-term achievements? The answer will determine the future of Vietnamese golf in the next 20 years. I believe we have the capacity to do the right thing. I believe that boys like the one I met in Ninh Binh will have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. And I will be there, with my pen, to record those stories.