A quick survey around many Asian golf courses, and almost 100% in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are now open for business.
With locals plus foreign residents making up the main numbers, naturally, golf clubs are at least welcoming golfers at last. And perhaps more importantly, the staff and caddies are at last earning some badly needed income.
During the shut down most clubs used their closures to upgrade their courses, so a lot of courses have never been in better playing conditions.
When they did actually reopen in Vietnam at the end of April, and Thailand in mid-May, initially it was very hard to get a tee time at most of the golf courses. With no golf played for so long, both local and expats rushed to get out on the course after the long lockdown period.
After the initial rush, business has now slowed down a bit and weekdays are relatively quiet, however, some courses are still busy especially at weekends.
Executives Have More Leisure Time
Many foreign multi-national companies automatically include golf club membership in their employment packages particularly offered to senior staff.
Therefore, with some large companies currently operating just a three-day week, many Korean and Japanese players based here are currently finding more free time to book a round of golf with colleagues.
Naturally, golf vacationers still make up a large percentage of income in a normal year. So general managers at all the leading courses, are hoping that the Thai Government’s proposed travel bubbles with low-risk neighbors, may be implemented soon.
This may include Asian golf courses in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. China was on the bubble list, but not many Chinese are coming to South East Asia to play golf yet.
Meanwhile, with low green fee rates, promotions on golf carts, great course conditions and fine weather, locals and expats are able to enjoy almost millionaires golf!
