For the school, golf is far more than just physical exercise. It is a form of character education, teaching students patience, honesty, and fair play. On a small schoolyard, those very first swings are planting the seeds of confidence, kindness, and global-mindedness — true to the spirit of “From School to Green.”

Bringing Golf into the Classroom

As education in Vietnam shifts toward holistic development, many schools are embracing innovative extracurricular models — and golf has emerged as one of the most unique. Tô Vĩnh Diện Primary School stands out as one of the first to implement such a program.

The Golfers sat down with Ms. Hà Ngọc Lan, Secretary of the Party Cell and Principal of Tô Vĩnh Diện Primary School, to better understand the school’s vision, journey, and hopes in bringing golf closer to young learners.

Q: What motivated the school to introduce golf — a sport considered “unfamiliar” — to primary students?

Teacher Hà Ngọc Lan:

Our motivation is simple: everything we do is for our beloved students — the young green shoots of the nation. Golf isn’t just an “elite” sport; it’s a powerful educational tool that cultivates patience, discipline, concentration, and fairness.

In today’s education landscape, where moral development and life skills are just as vital as academics, golf serves as an ideal medium for building positive thinking, confidence, and emotional intelligence.

We believe that by bringing golf into our extracurricular program, students can grow holistically — both in body and mind. It contributes to our goal of creating a “happy school” — a place where every child is nurtured, respected, and inspired to shine. Every new step we take today is a seed for tomorrow’s compassionate, confident, and globally integrated citizens.

Q: How was the golf program implemented — from facilities to teaching methods and coaching staff?

Teacher Hà Ngọc Lan:

We launched the School Golf Program in two clear phases, in close collaboration with professional coaches and the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA).

Phase 1 began on February 9, 2025, following the signing ceremony on November 18, 2024.
Every student from Grades 1–5 has one golf lesson per week for 17 weeks during the second semester of the 2024–2025 school year.

Professional coaches conduct lessons either on the school field or in the multipurpose gym, supported by classroom teachers. The curriculum is age-specific, focusing on posture, basic skills, and most importantly, learning through play.

Throughout the course, coaches hold mini-competitions and assessments to keep students engaged while identifying those with natural talent to participate in student golf tournaments organized by the project team.

Phase 2 focuses on sustainability.
On February 22, 2025, five teachers from our school completed the 12th SNAG Golf Coach Certification by VNCentre, enabling them to independently teach golf in the future.

On August 12, 2025, during the official handover ceremony, our school proudly received a complete set of international SNAG Golf equipment and curriculum from the R&A–VGA Junior Golf Development Project, in partnership with the R&A (the governing body of golf rules worldwide).

From September 2025, all students continue weekly golf lessons divided by semester:

Grades 1–2: 17 weeks in Semester I

Grades 3–5: 17 weeks in Semester II

Two certified teachers now lead classes directly, under the support of homeroom teachers. After the first year, we refined the curriculum to better suit students’ age and psychology — turning each session into a joyful blend of learning and discovery.

Q: How have parents, teachers, and students responded to the program?

Teacher Hà Ngọc Lan:

The response has far exceeded expectations. Parents are thrilled — many told us their children became more confident, calm, and focused after just a few sessions. They see golf not only as sport but as a life lesson in character and behavior.

Our teachers fully support it too. They see golf as an innovative highlight in physical education — one that builds both strength and moral values like discipline, respect, and teamwork.

And, of course, the students love it most. Each class is filled with laughter and excitement as they learn to control their emotions, challenge themselves, and celebrate progress.

One student said: “I like golf because I get to compete with my friends and my teacher praises me when I focus and hit the ball.”
Simple words, but they reflect the true spirit of joyful learning — and that motivates us to keep innovating.

Q: What does participating in the “From School to Green” program — as part of The Golfers Tournament 2025 — mean to the students and to the school’s vision for physical education?

Teacher Hà Ngọc Lan:

“From School to Green” is a deeply meaningful initiative by The Golfers Tournament.
For students, it’s their first real opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a professional event — meeting Vietnam’s top golfers, artist-golfers, and even receiving guidance from elite coaches. It’s not only about learning to hit a ball, but about learning humility, perseverance, and sportsmanship — values that transcend the game.

For our school, it’s a chance to express our vision of holistic and globally integrated physical education.
We want our students not only to be healthy but also to love sports, nature, and effort — to grow as compassionate citizens who carry Vietnam’s golf spirit into the future.

From the schoolyard to the fairway, every step represents growth — and programs like this bring Vietnamese education closer to the standards of the world’s most advanced nations.

Q: What are your hopes for golf as a tool for moral and personal development among students?

Teacher Hà Ngọc Lan:

We hope golf will become a “silent teacher” in every child’s journey of growth.
Golf is quiet — no shouting, no contact — yet it teaches patience, honesty, and self-control.
In every swing, students learn to wait, to stay calm, and to respect the rules.

If a child learns to tell the truth even when no one is watching, and to admit mistakes when they occur — that is already the greatest victory of education.

We believe that through golf, students will discover life’s most important lesson:
Winning isn’t about beating others — it’s about conquering yourself.

In the future, we hope these golf lessons will do more than improve physical health; they will nurture young citizens who live beautifully, confidently, and kindly — exactly what the “From School to Green” spirit stands for.

The school golf project at Tô Vĩnh Diện Primary School is a shining example of Vietnam’s educational renewal — a blend of innovation, compassion, and vision.
From a small schoolyard, those first swings may one day sow the seeds of a new generation — confident, honest, and full of aspiration — bringing the spirit of fair play from school to the world.

GolfEdit.com