The Sport of the "Wealthy" Class
Golf originated around the 15th century in Scotland, and everyone could play with simple, self-made tools on open land.
Over time, golf became a high-class sport for the upper class and wealthy individuals due to strict rules and expensive equipment and course fees.
According to a 2021 survey by Wealth-X Research Institute, golf is the most popular sport among the wealthy. The data shows that 18.6% of people with assets between $5 million and $30 million enjoy playing and watching golf.
To play golf, players need basic equipment, including a set of clubs, a club bag, a ball, a ball marker, gloves, and golf shoes. Most of these tools are produced by well-known brands and are not cheap. Golfers also use clothing or equipment to showcase their status, elegance, wealth, and playing ability.
With 15 years of golf experience, Mr. Tuấn Vũ (48 years old, Hanoi) - CEO of a property management company in Vietnam for Singapore, said that the cost of playing golf is a number that can make outsiders "shocked" because the annual membership fee for a golf club is hundreds of millions of dong.
Each time playing alone at a course also costs a few million dong. In addition, customers must pay for electric cart rental, caddy (golf caddy) rental, and other expenses of up to millions of dong.
However, Mr. Tuấn also emphasized that, although expensive, "it's worth the price" because golfers are all high-class individuals. Therefore, in addition to health benefits, golfers can build business relationships by participating in this sport together.
“During my recent business trip to Europe, I invited some partners to play golf instead of discussing in a stressful office environment. We played, exchanged, and negotiated on the course,” said the 15-year golf veteran.
Unlocking the Experience of the Elite, Unleashing Networking Opportunities for Golfers
According to statistics from the Vietnam Golf Association, Vietnam has 100 operational golf courses, with 32 international 5-star standard courses and 60 golf clubs. These are the favorite destinations and status symbols of professional golf enthusiasts.
Typically, players will choose a golf course in their living or working area to play regularly and register as a member of the club, along with a membership card. This also inadvertently limits the experience of golfers at other high-class courses and expands relationships at clubs across the country.
Currently, club members usually focus on playing at a few golf courses with a limited number of people, who can register as members at that course. Although this can help members deepen their relationships within the club, it also inadvertently limits the ability to expand outside and sometimes does not fully match the high membership fees that members must pay.
Now, golfers can break through these limitations with the latest powerful card from SHB - SHB Mastercard World, which opens the door for elite golfers from all over the country and around the world to interact.
With SHB Mastercard World, customers have a "VIP invitation" to play full golf (including green fee, caddy fee, buggy fee) at the most luxurious and high-class golf courses in Vietnam, such as BRG Kings Island Golf Club, Ba Na Hill Golf Club, Nova World Phan Thiet Golf Resort...
Cardholders will experience high-class services, quality course surfaces, and explore exclusive privileges at various courses. Golfers can also immerse themselves in "networking parties," interact with entrepreneurs, managers, KOLs... who are famous but not always easy to meet at different golf courses.
Cardholders will also receive a 30% discount on golf services, food, accommodations, golf pro products, and training at the 6-star international golf academy of T&T Group. It is expected that by the end of the year, SHB will organize special golf tournaments to help SHB Mastercard World cardholders expand their network, improve their golf skills, and elevate their style.
In addition, customers will have the opportunity to experience luxury and enjoy a free dinner for two at a chain of famous restaurants across the country, John Anthony @JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel, Parkview Cafe Restaurant - New World Saigon Hotel, HOME Hội An..., experience the gold-plated business lounge SHB First Club.
“From the familiar club, I have taken advantage of the benefits of SHB Mastercard World to switch to playing at many courses that I had not previously had the opportunity to experience. I also got paired with some CEOs and Chairmen of Vietnam and Southeast Asia, helping me increase my business network very effectively,” said Mr. Tuấn Vũ.
It is known that the international credit card SHB Mastercard World is a pioneering product in the package of services dedicated to the high-end customer segment of SHB with specific needs for golf, dining, finance...
The product once again confirms SHB's "customer-centric" philosophy throughout its development journey, aiming to meet the needs of individuals and businesses as best as possible. With a strong and comprehensive transformation strategy, SHB is creating innovative and breakthrough products based on market research and customer needs.
To open a high-end credit card SHB Mastercard World and other lines of cards with many exclusive benefits and high-end experiences for golfers and family members, please contact the hotline 6688 (24/7) for support or visit: https://www.shb.com.vn/the-tin-dung-quoc-te-shb-mastercard-world/.
