Vietnamese Golf: When Data Becomes the Secret Weapon

One morning at Long Bien Golf Course, Hanoi, young golfer Nguyen Van An made a decisive putt on the 18th hole. He didn't know that on the other side of the hemisphere, professional golfers were using data to analyze every shot, from wrist rotation angle to ball roll speed. The difference between An and them lies not in technique, but in how they view the game. While An relies on feel, top golfers worldwide rely on numbers accurate to the millimeter. Golf is a rapidly developing sport in Vietnam. According to data from the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA), the number of amateur golfers has increased by 25% in the past three years, from about 50,000 people in 2026 to over 62,000 by the end of 2026. Domestic tournaments such as the Vietnam Open and Vietnam Masters are attracting more sponsors. However, a worrying reality is that the lack of statistical data makes it difficult for Vietnamese golfers to improve systematically. Meanwhile, globally, metrics like Strokes Gained (SG) have become the gold standard in performance analysis. Strokes Gained is a measurement system developed by statistician Mark Broadie of Columbia University. It compares a golfer's number of strokes to the tour average in the same situation. For example, if a golfer makes a putt from 3 meters and completes it in 1 stroke, he has 'gained' +0.5 strokes compared to the average. Conversely, if it takes 2 strokes, he loses -0.5 strokes. The system is divided into four main components: SG: Off the Tee, SG: Approach, SG: Around the Green, and SG: Putting. Each component can be analyzed separately to identify a golfer's strengths and weaknesses. In Vietnam, there is almost no similar data collection system. Vietnamese professional golfers often have to manually record their scores, fairway hits, and greens in regulation (GIR). This leads to several problems. First, data is inaccurate due to reliance on memory and subjective feelings. Second, there is no benchmark for comparison, so golfers don't know where they stand relative to the general level. Third, analysis becomes fragmented, making it impossible to see long-term trends. Take the example of a young golfer like Nguyen Van An. He has an average drive of 280 yards but often loses strokes around the green. With SG data, An would know exactly how many strokes he is losing in this area compared to golfers of similar skill. From there, he could focus on practicing chipping and pitching instead of just focusing on driving. But currently, An only knows that he 'feels' he doesn't play well around the green, without specific numbers to confirm. Another issue is the lack of data on course conditions. Each golf course has its own characteristics: length, rough difficulty, green speed, bunker positions. Without data on these factors, golfers cannot prepare appropriate strategies. For example, Long Bien Golf Course has small and fast greens, requiring precise putting skills. But if golfers don't know this before competing, they will be surprised and lose unnecessary strokes. Globally, major tours like the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have comprehensive data collection systems. Every shot by a golfer is recorded using radar and cameras, then converted into digital data. Golfers can access personal dashboards to see their performance in each aspect. This not only helps them improve technique but also helps them choose appropriate strategies for each course. However, applying this technology in Vietnam faces many challenges. The investment cost for radar and camera systems is enormous, potentially reaching billions of dong per course. Additionally, a team of data analysis experts is needed, which Vietnam does not yet have. But there are solutions. Golf courses can start with simple steps: using mobile apps to record scores, putts, and fairway hits. This data can be compiled and analyzed using free tools like Excel or Google Sheets. A notable initiative is VGA's collaboration with several universities to build a golf database. This project, started in 2026, has collected data from over 1,000 rounds by amateur and professional golfers. The goal is to create a set of standard metrics for Vietnamese golf, similar to the OWGR (Official World Golf Ranking) but on a smaller scale. However, the project is still in the testing phase and needs more time to complete. A counter-intuitive perspective is that many people believe data is only for professional golf, and amateurs don't need it. But in reality, even amateur golfers can benefit greatly from recording and analyzing data. An amateur golfer who plays 2 rounds per week can realize that he often loses strokes on par-3 holes due to inaccurate tee shots. From there, he can focus on practicing with short irons instead of spending too much time on the driver. This significantly improves performance without needing expensive technology. In Vietnam, some golf clubs have started applying this method. Hanoi Golf Club, for example, has developed an internal app that allows members to record their round results. The app automatically calculates basic metrics like GIR, number of putts, and provides comparison charts with other members. As a result, many golfers have improved significantly after 6 months of use. Mr. Tran Quoc Bao, club president, shared: 'We noticed that when data is available, golfers are more motivated to practice. They know what they need to improve, and they can measure their progress.' However, there are still many barriers. One is the psychology of resistance to change. Many older golfers believe that golf is a sport of feel, not requiring numbers. They think data analysis will diminish the beauty of the game. But this view is gradually changing as the younger generation naturally embraces technology. Nguyen Van An, 22, is an example. He started using a scoring app in 2026 and noticed a clear difference. 'Before, I just played by feel. Now I know exactly where I lose strokes, and I can focus on improving those areas. As a result, my handicap dropped from 8 to 5 in one year.' Another aspect to consider is the role of sponsors. Equipment brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade all have data support programs for golfers. They provide fitting sessions with modern measuring equipment like TrackMan, helping golfers understand the technical parameters of their shots. In Vietnam, some golf centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have invested in TrackMan, but the cost per fitting session is still high, around 2-3 million dong. This prevents many amateur golfers from accessing it. Looking to the future, developing golf data in Vietnam requires cooperation from many parties. The Vietnam Golf Association needs to build a national data system, with participation from golf courses, clubs, and golfers. Universities can train sports data analysts. Sponsors can invest in technology and fund training programs. Only then can Vietnamese golf develop sustainably and compete regionally. Another important point is using data in media. Currently, golf articles in Vietnam often focus only on results, rarely providing detailed analysis. With data, journalists can write deeper analytical pieces, helping audiences understand the game better. This not only increases the sport's appeal but also attracts more public interest. In summary, data is not just a tool for professional golfers. It is the foundation for the development of the entire golf ecosystem. In Vietnam, building a data system faces many difficulties, but it is not impossible. Starting with small steps like recording scores and analyzing with spreadsheets, Vietnamese golfers can gradually approach modern play. And then, Vietnamese golf will not just play by feel, but by strategy and intelligence. The question is: will Vietnamese sports managers have the vision to invest in data, or will they continue to let golf develop spontaneously? The answer will determine Vietnam's position in regional golf in the coming decade.