Where to Practice Golf? 2026 Driving Range Guide for Beginners

Golf driving ranges are the first place most Vietnamese golfers get acquainted with the sport. Unlike a real golf course with 18 holes stretching over several kilometers, a driving range is a dedicated space for practicing swings, improving technique, and building a foundation before heading out to the course. In 2026, the country has over 80 standard 18-hole golf courses and hundreds of practice facilities ranging from outdoor to indoor 3D simulators, meeting the needs of the rapidly growing golfer community.

What Is a Golf Driving Range? How Is It Different from a Real Golf Course?

Golf driving ranges or driving ranges are dedicated areas for practicing ball-striking. Instead of moving between 18 holes like on a real golf course, golfers stand at teeing stations and hit into a large grassy area. The main purpose is to hone swing skills, control ball direction, and get familiar with different clubs before facing the actual challenges on the course.

Core difference: A real golf course is where you play a complete round with a Par 72, requiring tactical skills, emotional management, and an understanding of the rules. A driving range is simply a "practice room" — a place to build your basic swing technique without the pressure of scores or pace of play. This is why every professional golfer spends time at the driving range before each round.

For beginners, a driving range is an indispensable stepping stone. You need to master the basics of playing golf — grip, posture, swing — before standing on the tee box of a real course. Skipping this phase often leads to wrist and back injuries, as well as a poor experience on the course.

Popular Types of Golf Driving Ranges in Vietnam

The Vietnamese market currently has 3 main types of driving ranges, each suited to different needs and budgets:

Indoor 3D golf trend is booming in major cities. Brands like Golfzon (South Korea) with over 9,400 installations globally, Trackman (USA) with over 95% accuracy, or Bravo & Uneekor are all present in Vietnam. In Ho Chi Minh City, DHA Golfzon Diamond (Diamond Plaza, District 1) and GTS Golf Sunrise City (District 7) are two prominent destinations. The cost is around 250,000–450,000 VND/hour — higher than outdoor ranges but provides detailed analytical data on launch angle, ball speed, and spin rate.

Structure And Standards Of Golf Driving Ranges

A standard outdoor golf driving range is designed to strict technical specifications. According to recommendations from the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the National Golf Foundation (NGF), the area of the teeing ground must ensure the biological recovery capacity of the turf — for every 1,000 rounds played annually, 100–200 ft² of usable area is required.

How Much Does It Cost to Practice at a Driving Range?

The cost of practicing golf depends on the type of range, area, and time of day. Below is a reference price table at famous driving ranges in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (updated 2026):

Hanoi driving ranges

Ho Chi Minh City Golf Driving Ranges

Note: The above prices are for reference only and may change from time to time. In addition to the ball fee, you need to factor in the cost of club rental (50,000–200,000 VND/session), coach rental (500,000–1,500,000 VND/session), and gloves (100,000–300,000 VND/pair). Compared to the green fee for a real course (1,500,000–3,000,000 VND/round), practicing at a driving range is much more economical for beginners.

How Should Beginners Practice Golf? 3-Stage Roadmap

The average time for a beginner to confidently play on a real course is 3–6 months, with a frequency of 2–3 sessions/week. The standard learning roadmap is divided into 3 stages:

Stage 1 (Months 1–3): Building the Foundation

Focus on 3 core elements: grip (how to hold the club), stance (standing posture), and basic swing. Beginners should start with a 7-iron because it is easier to control than a driver. Each practice session should include a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of swing practice with 50–100 balls, and 15 minutes of putting practice on a mini green (if the range has one). See more detailed swing technique instructions.

Stage 2 (Months 3–4): Perfecting the Short Game

Shift to practicing chipping (recovering the ball around the green) and putting. These are two score-deciding skills but are often overlooked by beginners. If the driving range has a chipping green and bunker area, dedicate 50% of your practice time to the short game. Goal: chip the ball into a 3-meter circle around the flag with a success rate of over 60%.

Stage 3 (Months 4–6): Gaining Practical Experience

For your first time on the course, choose a 9-hole course (par 3 or short par 4) and go with an experienced player or coach. Don't worry about the score — the goal is to get used to moving between holes, basic rules, and on-course etiquette. When you can play a 9-hole round in under 60 strokes (not counting by Par), you are ready for an 18-hole course.

Should you hire a coach? If your budget allows, a certified coach will help you avoid bad habits right from the start. A basic 12-session course at academies costs 17,000,000–22,000,000 VND. However, many golfers also self-teach effectively through videos and books — the key is persistence and tracking your progress through your handicap index.

Where to Practice Golf? Overview of Major Cities

Vietnam's golf driving range system is primarily concentrated in 3 main regions:

Hanoi — The Northern Driving Range Paradise

Hanoi boasts the most diverse driving range system in the country, with sizes ranging from a few dozen to hundreds of hitting bays. Phuong Dong (Nam Tu Liem, 108 bays, 3 floors, ~300 yards) is the largest driving range in the capital, even featuring bays for left-handed players. Mipec (Thanh Xuan, 52 bays) is famous for its premium accompanying services: Luogo Café restaurant, The Wood Golf Pro Shop, and a physical recovery center. Dao Sen (Long Bien, 60 holes, US-imported turf) offers 30 minutes of free skills practice daily. Other notable ranges: Ciputra (Leadbetter Academy), Long Bien (119 hectares, 24/7), Ha Dong (integrated 3D golf), Thanh Ha (72 bays, 3ha), and Ecopark (9 holes, family-friendly).

Ho Chi Minh City — Riverside Driving Ranges

Driving ranges in HCMC often utilize riverside spaces to create an airy atmosphere. Phu My Hung (District 7) is a 9-hole riverside driving range complex combined with a 5-star hotel and premium Proshop. Rach Chiec (Thu Duc, 5 hectares, 60 automatic ball dispensers) belongs to the National Sports Complex, with a price of 280,000 VND for an unlimited ball package. Happy Golf (Binh Tan) stands out with its specialized gym to build physical strength for golfers. Additionally, there are driving ranges at Tan Son Nhat and Thu Duc with green fees ranging from 1,850,000–3,000,000 VND.

Central Region and Other Provinces

Montgomerie Links (Dien Ngoc, Quang Nam) is the top international standard driving range in the Central region, with 30 covered practice mats, a putting green, and specialized bunkers. Practice ball price: 60,000–200,000 VND/basket (depending on quantity). This area also has driving ranges in Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Hue serving golf tourists.

From Driving Range To Real Golf Course — When Are You Ready?

Signs that you are ready to hit the real course:

• Consistent driver shots — ball flies straight, distance at least 150m, no frequent slice/hook
• Basic chip and putt — can get the ball on the green from 10m and putt into the hole from 3m with a 50%+ success rate
• Understand rules and etiquette — know how to mark the ball, repair divots, stay quiet, and maintain pace of play
• Sufficient stamina — able to stand and stay focused for 4–5 hours continuously

For your first time on the course, choose a short course (executive course) or a 9-hole par 3/4 course with a low green fee. Bring enough balls (at least 2 new boxes), a glove, drinking water, and a towel. Don't forget the dress code: collared polo shirt, long golf pants or shorts above the knee, soft-spike golf shoes. Absolutely no jeans, collarless t-shirts, or flip-flops.

When you're ready, you can explore the system of 50+ golf courses nationwide from North to South — from coastal links courses in Central Vietnam to mountain courses in the Northwest. Each course offers its own unique challenge and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Driving Ranges

What is a golf driving range?

A golf driving range is a dedicated area for practicing ball striking with teeing stations and a large grassy area. Unlike a real 18-hole golf course, a driving range focuses solely on honing swing skills and ball control.

How is a driving range different from a real golf course?

A real golf course is where you play a full 18-hole round with Par 72, requiring strategy and emotional management. A driving range is just a "practice room" — no score pressure, no need to move between holes, and complete focus on technique.

How much does it cost to practice at a driving range?

Common costs: 80,000–130,000 VND/100 balls at standard outdoor ranges; 250,000–450,000 VND/hour at 3D golf rooms; 300,000 VND/4 hours at mini courses. Club rental is an additional 50,000–200,000 VND, and hiring a coach is 500,000–1,500,000 VND/session.

How long should a beginner practice before playing on a real course?

A recommendation of 3–6 months with a frequency of 2–3 sessions/week. A 3-stage roadmap: months 1–3 build swing foundations, months 3–4 perfect the short game, months 4–6 experience a 9-hole course before moving to 18 holes.

Are indoor golf ranges (3D/simulator) good?

Very good for busy people who want detailed technique analysis. Technology like Golfzon, Trackman allows measuring launch angle, ball speed, and spin with over 95% accuracy. However, it cannot completely replace the feel of real grass and natural wind.

Do I need to buy my own clubs to practice?

Not required. Most driving ranges offer club rentals for 50,000–200,000 VND/session. However, if you practice frequently (over 2 months), you should invest in a basic set (driver, 3 irons, putter) to ensure a consistent feel.

Can I practice golf alone or do I need a coach?

You can self-teach through videos and books if you are persistent. However, a certified coach will help you avoid bad habits from the start — which are very difficult to correct later. A basic 12-session course costs 17,000,000–22,000,000 VND. If you are on a limited budget, hire a coach for the first 3–5 sessions to grasp the fundamentals.

After practicing at the range, where can I book a real golf course?

Wingolf provides tee time booking services at over 50 golf courses nationwide with preferential rates. Quick confirmation within 15 minutes, 24/7 support via hotline 0985 092 088.

Ready for a Real Golf Course? Book Tee Time via Wingolf

After practicing hard on the driving range, it's time to experience the real thing on an 18-hole golf course. At Wingolf, you can book tee times at over 50 top golf courses in Vietnam:

• Quick tee time confirmation — in just 15 minutes
• Discounted green fees from a network of 100+ partner golf courses
• 24/7 support — course selection advice based on skill level and budget
• Flexible payment — bank transfer or cash

Or email: booking@golfbookingtour.com