With about 100 courses operating nationwide, Vietnam’s golf market is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly during the summer when weather directly impacts player demand. As El Niño returns in 2026, Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are braced for prolonged heatwaves and severe droughts, placing immense pressure on both the golf and resort tourism industries. With many golfers actively avoiding midday tee times, courses are forced to find more effective solutions to maintain occupancy and revenue.

However, rather than simply triggering a price war with steep green fee discounts, leading golf courses are shifting their focus toward customer experience and innovative golf course summer marketing campaigns. The goal is to encourage golfers to stay longer, spend more, and return more frequently. Join Asia Golf Journey as we explore how top courses are beating the summer heat and elevating the customer experience in 2026.

To stay ahead of the curve with the latest industry data, connect with the AGJ team: 

📞 +84 982 117 466 | 📧 creative@asiagolfjourney.com

1. Adjust Tee Times to Beat the Summer Heat – One of Effective Golf Course Summer Marketing Activities

Early morning tee times remain one of the most effective ways for golf courses to mitigate extreme summer heat while maintaining tee sheet occupancy. Many golf courses introduce Early Bird promotions and Twilight rates during summer to encourage golfers to play during cooler hours. Pair early tee sheets with twilight rates on the back end of the day, and you effectively bracket the heat out of your prime-time inventory. This tactic is highly successful at coastal golf destinations such as Vinpearl Golf properties frequently promote afternoon or twilight tee times during summer, allowing golfers to enjoy cooler temperatures later in the day.

Meanwhile, night golf has evolved from a niche offering into an increasingly important revenue opportunity across Southeast Asia. In Vietnam’s major metropolitan hubs, urban venues like Tan Son Nhat Golf Course (HCMC) and Long Bien Golf Course (Hanoi) operate full 27-to-36-hole floodlight networks, allowing golfers to enjoy evening tee times well into the night.

Some marketing packages for golfers in summer 2026 from Vietnam golf courses

(Image Source: Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club, Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang)

Together, early morning, twilight, and night golf scheduling help golf courses maximize course utilization while delivering a more comfortable experience during the hottest months of the year.

2. Turning a Hot Round Into a Memorable Experience

If comfort gets golfers onto the course, experience is what makes the round memorable. While cooling initiatives such as early tee times and Night Golf help overcome the physical challenge of summer, memorable experiences give golfers a reason to choose your course over another.

Rather than relying solely on discounted green fees, many golf courses are transforming ordinary rounds into seasonal events. Summer Challenge tournaments, member competitions, mini tournaments, and on-course contests create excitement, encourage repeat visits, and generate social media buzz. 

One of Vietnam’s standout examples is Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club’s “Heat The Challenge – Own the Heat, Own the Fairway” campaign. The club turned the summer into an opportunity to engage golfers through a themed tournament featuring attractive prizes. The campaign demonstrated that golfers are far more likely to book when they are signing up for an experience, not simply another round of golf.

“Heat The Challenge – Own the Heat, Own the Fairway” campaign of Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club (Image Source: Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club)

The lesson is clear: summer promotions should create stories, not just savings. A well-executed event gives golfers something to anticipate, something to share online, and a reason to come back for the next one. In today’s competitive golf market, memorable experiences often leave a stronger impression than the lower green fee.

3. Adding Value Instead of Heavy Discounting

Summer heat inevitably changes how golfers perceive value. A round played in 35°C weather naturally feels different from one enjoyed during the cooler months, making it tempting for golf courses to compete through discounted green fees. However, the most successful operators in 2026 are taking a different approach: they are adding value to the experience rather than lowering the price.

Instead of offering a simple summer discount, Hoiana Shores Golf Club (Danang, Vietnam) enhances its seasonal golf packages with luxury accommodation, daily breakfast, dining credits, airport transfers, and access to one of Asia’s top-ranked links courses. By presenting the offer as a complete golf holiday rather than a discounted round, the resort shifts the conversation away from the heat and toward the overall experience. Golfers feel they are investing in a memorable getaway, not just paying for 18 holes on a hot day.

The same principle applies to daily-fee and semi-private clubs. Rather than reducing green fees, many courses include complimentary bottled water, chilled refreshments, Pro Shop vouchers, driving range balls, or food and beverage credits with summer bookings. These thoughtful additions directly address the challenges of playing in hot weather while increasing the perceived value of every round. A complimentary cold drink after the front nine or a voucher for lunch at the clubhouse often leaves a stronger impression than a small discount on the booking itself.

Recommendations for Golf Course Operators

Based on the successful strategies adopted by Vietnam golf courses in Summer 2026, golf operators should consider:

  • Optimize tee time booking with Early Bird, Twilight, and Night Golf tee times, along with hydration and cooling amenities.
  • Create memorable summer experiences through themed tournaments, mini competitions, and seasonal events instead of simple discounts.
  • Focus on value-added offers, such as Stay & Play packages, F&B credits, Pro Shop vouchers, and complimentary range balls.
  • Optimize your website with online tee-time booking, guest reviews tracking, event registration, and dedicated landing pages for summer promotions. Discover our website optimization package here.

Contact AGJ for a High-Impact Golf Marketing Strategy

Don’t let the summer heat slow down your revenue momentum. Partner with Southeast Asia’s leading Golf and Hospitality marketing agency to keep your brand ahead of the curve and build lasting player loyalty.

Get in touch with our expert team today to explore our marketing solutions and custom marketing strategies:

📧 Email: creative@asiagolfjourney.com

📞 Phone: +84 982 117 466

AGJ – The Leading Strategic Partner for Golf, Sports & Hospitality in Vietnam