In one of the most bizarre golfing tales for some time, the Vietnam transport minister had banned officials in his department from playing golf because their time being on the fairways is detracting from their efforts on the job.

Some ministry officials “have not actively given direction or administered their work, leading to the slow handling of affairs, which affects progress on projects and general operations”, a notice on the ministry’s website said.

The Greg Norman designed Danang Golf Club in Vietnam.

“One of the causes of this condition comes from staff spending too much time playing golf (including on holidays),” it added.

The notice from minister Dinh La Thang barred senior officials and managers from playing golf or organising and participating in golf tournaments, it said.

In recent years, golf course projects have developed rapidly and widely in Vietnam.

In only two years (from 1 July 2006 to 4 June 2008), the number of golf courses increased by 106 and that was 13 times higher than 16 years before.

In recent time up to about 140 golf course projects have been approved or have been considered for approval with these projects using about 44,000 ha of land.

It is remarkable that golf course construction is taking such a large area of land, especially fertilized agriculture land.

And with the ancient club-and-ball game growing in popularity in Vietnam some of the game’s greats are lining up to design golf courses in the former worn torn country.