Top 10 Golf Courses on U.S. Military Bases

Most golfers know military bases have gyms, fitness centers, exchanges, and MWR recreation programs. Fewer realize that many U.S. military installations also have golf courses, and some of those courses have serious history behind them.

Military golf courses are not just places to squeeze in a round. They are part morale program, part community hub, part training-week decompression, and part military-family tradition. Some are tucked inside secure installations. Some are open to the public with a visitor pass. Some are primarily for active duty, retirees, DoD civilians, veterans, and authorized guests. The access rules vary a lot from base to base.

This list is not an official Department of Defense ranking. It is a Golf Vibes Journal guide to 10 military-base golf courses worth knowing because of their setting, history, access model, service connection, or plain old “I had no idea that existed” factor.

For a military golf outing, veteran scramble, or service-family round, Clubbage also keeps a quiet collection of Patriotic & Military Golf Shirts. The course comes first. The shirt is just a way to match the moment.

Quick Answer: Can Civilians Play Golf on Military Bases?

Sometimes. Some military golf courses are open to the public. Others are restricted to active duty, retirees, DoD civilians, veterans with valid privileges, eligible family members, and authorized guests. A tee time is not always the same thing as base access.

The safest rule is this: check the course’s official MWR, FSS, MCCS, or Navy Life page before you drive there. If the course is inside the gate and you do not already have a military or DoD ID, you may need to visit the installation visitor center, show a REAL ID-compliant license or passport, provide vehicle registration and insurance, pass a background check, or be escorted by an authorized sponsor.

Retired military members are often eligible to play. Veterans may also be eligible in certain cases, especially when they have qualifying installation access or MWR privileges. But “veteran” by itself does not always mean you can drive onto every base and play golf. Base commanders and local access-control policies matter.

Top 10 at a Glance

1. West Point Golf Course — U.S. Military Academy, New York.

2. Eisenhower Golf Club — U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado.

3. The Courses at Andrews — Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

4. Fort Belvoir Golf Club — Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

5. Whispering Firs Golf Course — Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

6. Navy Golf Course — Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, California.

7. Navy-Marine Golf Course — Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

8. Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course — Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Hawaii.

9. Sewells Point Golf Course — Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

10. Bay Palms Golf Course — MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

1. West Point Golf Course — U.S. Military Academy, New York

West Point Golf Course is one of the easiest military-base courses to understand from a public-golfer standpoint because the official West Point MWR page states the course is open to the public. That alone makes it different from many base courses, where access is mostly limited to eligible military and DoD patrons.

The course sits in the Hudson Valley just north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. West Point MWR describes it as an 18-hole mountain layout designed by Robert Trent Jones and notes that it is home to Army Golf, the Academy’s Division I golf team. The course also leans into history: West Point says the hole markers reflect U.S. military history, beginning with the American Revolution and finishing with more modern references to Iraq and Afghanistan.

That is the kind of detail that makes base golf different. On a normal public course, a tee marker is just yardage. At West Point, it can feel like a small history lesson before you hit the shot.

Access snapshot: Open to the public, according to the official West Point MWR page. Visitors should still check tee-time, gate, ID, and visitor policies before traveling.

Service connection: Army Patriotic Golf Shirt for Army groups, West Point fans, and service-family rounds.

Research source: West Point MWR Golf Course.

2. Eisenhower Golf Club — U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado

Eisenhower Golf Club is located on the grounds of the U.S. Air Force Academy north of Colorado Springs. It is one of the best-known military golf facilities in the country because of the Academy setting, the mountain backdrop, and the strength of the Blue Course.

The club has two 18-hole courses. The Blue Course is associated with Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is the championship layout. The Silver Course is shorter and more approachable, but still sits in the same Academy environment. The facility is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and historical summaries note that Eisenhower took part in a dedication ceremony at the club in 1963.

The access model is more restricted than a normal public course. Because it sits on a military installation, Eisenhower is generally oriented toward active duty, retired military, reservists, National Guard, qualifying government employees, contractors, and authorized guests. That can change with local policy, so anyone without base access should confirm before planning a trip.

Access snapshot: Primarily eligible military, DoD, government-related patrons, and guests. Confirm current guest and base-access rules before going.

Service connection: USAF Patriotic Golf Shirt for Air Force golf outings, academy visits, and service-family rounds.

Research source: Eisenhower Golf Club and Eisenhower Golf Club background.

3. The Courses at Andrews — Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

The Courses at Andrews may be the most politically famous military golf complex in the country. Joint Base Andrews is the home base of Air Force One, and the golf facility has long carried the nickname of the “president’s golf course.”

Recent reporting describes Andrews as having multiple courses and a long presidential connection. Gerald Ford became the first president to play there in 1974, and other presidents, including Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, have also played Andrews. Associated Press reporting describes the facility as normally reserved for active or retired military members, their families, and some Defense Department-linked federal employees rather than the general public.

That makes Andrews different from public-access military courses. It is more of a true inside-the-gate facility: part recreation, part security environment, part Washington-area military tradition.

Access snapshot: Not generally open to the public. Reporting describes play as primarily for active or retired military members, families, and some Defense Department-linked personnel.

Service connection: USAF Patriotic Golf Shirt for Air Force and Joint Base Andrews golf groups.

Research source: Associated Press on The Courses at Andrews and Reuters on Andrews golf course renovation reporting.

4. Fort Belvoir Golf Club — Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Fort Belvoir Golf Club sits just south of Washington, D.C., and is one of the more useful examples for people asking whether civilians can play military-base golf. The official Fort Belvoir MWR page describes two championship 18-hole courses, the Woodlawn and Gunston courses. It also says the original North 18 was designed in part by Robert Trent Jones and that Thomas Ault Clark and Associates completed the expansion to the current 36-hole complex.

The access notes are unusually clear. The Fort Belvoir page lists daily green-fee categories that include a public category, plus categories for service members, veterans, DoD civilians, and others. It also explains that new members can be sponsored through the golf club and that gate access passes are handled through Tulley Gate or online visitor-pass procedures.

That is exactly why base-golf access can confuse people. A course may sell public tee times, but a golfer still has to satisfy installation access rules. Fort Belvoir is a good example of both being true at once.

Access snapshot: Public category available, with installation visitor-pass requirements. Veterans and DoD civilians are also identified in the course’s fee categories.

Service connection: Army Patriotic Golf Shirt for Fort Belvoir outings, veteran groups, and Army golf days.

Research source: Fort Belvoir MWR Golf Club.

5. Whispering Firs Golf Course — Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Whispering Firs Golf Course at McChord Field is another strong example of a military-base course that has public access, but still sits behind installation procedures. The official JBLM MWR page lists public rates for weekdays and weekends, and it explains that golfers without military or DoD ID must obtain a daily pass at the visitor center unless they are riding with a military ID card holder.

The course itself is described by JBLM as an 18-hole, par-72 layout with tree-lined fairways, tough rough, water hazards, and small greens. The official page lists 6,646 yards from the longest tees, a 71.8 rating, and a 122 slope. That is not just a casual pitch-and-putt. It is a full base course with a real golf profile.

The practical lesson: a civilian may be able to play, but the gate is part of the round. Bring the right ID, plan extra time, and do not assume you can roll up five minutes before a tee time like it is a normal muni.

Access snapshot: Public rates are listed, but non-military golfers need proper installation access and may need a daily pass.

Service connection: Patriotic & Military Golf Shirts for mixed-service groups at JBLM and other joint-base rounds.

Research source: Whispering Firs Golf Course at JBLM.

6. Navy Golf Course — Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, California

Navy Golf Course at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos has one of the best “wait, that happened there?” facts in military golf. Historical summaries of the base note that the course sits on the south edge of Runway 22L and that Tiger Woods honed his game there as a youth.

The base history also notes that the 18-hole Destroyer Course opened in 1966, that an executive nine was later added, and that the former military-only facility opened for public play in 2004. That makes it a rare military-linked course with both strong public access and a direct connection to one of the most famous golfers in history.

This is a reminder that military courses are not always hidden, tiny, or purely recreational. Some have produced or shaped serious golf stories.

Access snapshot: Formerly military-only, with public play opened in 2004 according to historical summaries. Check current tee-time and facility policies before going.

Service connection: Navy Patriotic Golf Shirt for Navy-linked rounds, Los Alamitos outings, and veteran golf groups.

Research source: Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos background.

7. Navy-Marine Golf Course — Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii

Navy-Marine Golf Course belongs on this list because of location and history. It is part of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam golf picture, and historical summaries of Naval Base Hawaii list Navy Marine Golf Course at Pearl Harbor as opening in 1948.

That postwar date matters. Pearl Harbor is one of the most historically loaded military places in the country, and a golf course there is not just another round on Oahu. It sits inside a military community shaped by World War II, naval readiness, family life, and Pacific service history.

Access is not the same as a normal public Oahu course. Golfers should treat it as a base-linked MWR course and confirm eligibility, sponsorship, tee-time rules, and gate access with the current Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam or Great Life Hawaii golf information before planning around it.

Access snapshot: Military-base access rules apply. Confirm current eligibility and guest procedures before traveling.

Service connection: Navy Patriotic Golf Shirt for Navy golf groups, Pearl Harbor visits, and base-community rounds.

Research source: Naval Base Hawaii background.

8. Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course — Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Hawaii

Kaneohe Klipper is one of the most visually memorable military golf courses in the country. It sits on Marine Corps Base Hawaii on the Mokapu Peninsula, an installation with deep Army, Navy, and Marine Corps history. The base’s history includes early Army use, a Navy seaplane base, World War II significance, and its later role as a Marine Corps air station and base.

The course is best known for its ocean setting and military-base location. It is the kind of golf course many civilians do not even know exists until they hear about it from someone stationed in Hawaii or a military family member who has played there.

Like many Marine Corps and Navy installation courses, access is not something to assume. The right move is to check the current MCCS Hawaii and MCBH golf access rules before traveling. If you do not already have base access, you may need an authorized sponsor or visitor procedures may apply.

Access snapshot: Base access and eligible-patron rules apply. Check current MCCS Hawaii or MCBH golf policies before planning a round.

Service connection: Marine Fairway Recon Golf Shirt for Marine Corps golf groups and MCBH-adjacent rounds.

Research source: Marine Corps Base Hawaii background and MCAS Kaneohe Bay background.

9. Sewells Point Golf Course — Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia

Sewells Point Golf Course is tied to Naval Station Norfolk, one of the most important naval installations in the world. The Sewells Point peninsula has military significance that goes back far before modern base recreation. It was a strategic location in the Civil War, and the land is now part of the Naval Station Norfolk story.

The course also has architectural interest. Sewells Point is commonly listed among courses associated with Donald Ross, one of the great names in American golf course architecture. That is enough to make any golf-history person pay attention, especially when the course is sitting on a Navy installation rather than a private club.

The access question is where golfers need to be careful. Naval installation courses can have eligibility limits, guest rules, and base-access requirements that are different from public courses. Confirm with current Navy MWR Hampton Roads information before planning a round.

Access snapshot: Confirm current Navy MWR and Naval Station Norfolk access rules. Do not assume public access without checking.

Service connection: Navy Patriotic Golf Shirt for Navy golf groups, Hampton Roads rounds, and veteran events.

Research source: Sewells Point background and Donald Ross course list.

10. Bay Palms Golf Course — MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Bay Palms Golf Course is part of the recreation footprint at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Historical summaries of MacDill list Bay Palms among the base’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, alongside lodging, marina facilities, camping, and other recreational resources.

The setting is what makes this one interesting. MacDill is a major Air Force installation on the water in South Tampa, and its recreation facilities serve a large military community in one of the country’s strongest golf-weather regions. In Florida, a base golf course is not just a nice add-on. It can become a regular part of off-duty life.

As with other active-base courses, access can depend on the current base visitor policy, eligible-patron rules, sponsorship, and MWR procedures. Anyone without military or DoD access should check current MacDill FSS information first.

Access snapshot: Active-base access applies. Check MacDill FSS and current visitor procedures before traveling.

Service connection: USAF Patriotic Golf Shirt for Air Force golf groups, MacDill rounds, and service-family weekends.

Research source: MacDill Air Force Base background.

Bonus Historic Pick: The Loma Club at the Former Naval Training Center San Diego

The Loma Club is not the same type of active-base course as the others on this list, but it is too interesting to ignore. It sits at Liberty Station in San Diego, on the site of the former Naval Training Center. Historical summaries describe the original Sail Ho Golf Course as built in the 1920s and used by the Navy as a fitness training area for recruits.

The same history notes that Sam Snead managed the course as a Navy recreation officer, and that Craig Stadler and Phil Mickelson played junior golf events there when they were young. That is a lot of golf history packed into a former training-center course.

Because it is now part of the redeveloped Liberty Station community rather than a secured active-duty golf course, it is a different kind of military-golf story: not “Can I get through the gate?” but “How did a former Navy training site become a public golf and community space?”

Access snapshot: Historic former-base course, now publicly accessible through the Liberty Station community setting. Check current Loma Club tee-time policies before playing.

Research source: Naval Training Center San Diego and Liberty Station background.

What to Know Before Playing a Military Base Golf Course

A tee time may not equal base access

This is the biggest mistake civilians make. A golf course can accept public play or guest play, but the installation gate still has its own rules. Bring proper identification and allow extra time at the visitor center.

Retirees and veterans may have different access categories

Retired military members often have broader access than the general public. Some veterans have privileges tied to service-connected disability, Purple Heart status, former POW status, or other qualifying criteria. But access still depends on the installation and current policy.

Research source for veteran access background: Veteran Health Identification Card and equal-access background.

Guests usually need a sponsor

At restricted courses, a civilian guest may need to play with an authorized military or DoD sponsor. That sponsor may also be responsible for visitor paperwork, gate entry, and course policy compliance.

Public access does not always mean casual access

Courses like West Point, Fort Belvoir, Whispering Firs, and Navy Golf Course Los Alamitos show that public play can exist in military golf. But the process may still involve facility rules, gate rules, ID requirements, and tee-time policies that are different from a normal municipal course.

Why Military Golf Courses Matter

Military golf courses serve a different role than normal public or private courses. They are part recreation, part family support, part morale program, and part base community. For active duty service members, a round can be one of the few normal things in a schedule built around duty, training, deployments, and transitions.

For retirees and veterans, base golf can also be a way to stay connected to a community that does not disappear when service ends. For military families, it can be a place where kids learn the game, spouses meet other families, and units hold outings without leaving the installation.

That is why these courses are worth knowing. They are not just golf infrastructure. They are small pieces of military life that many civilians never see.

What to Wear for a Military Base Golf Round

Do not overthink it. Wear something clean, respectful, course-appropriate, and comfortable enough for the weather. If the course is hot, humid, or exposed, lightweight performance fabric and sun-aware apparel matter. If it is a veteran scramble, unit outing, or service-family golf day, patriotic golf apparel can fit the setting as long as it is worn respectfully.

For branch-pride rounds, Clubbage keeps the Patriotic & Military Golf Shirts collection simple: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force-inspired golf shirts for people who want golf apparel that nods to service without pretending to be official uniform gear.

Army Patriotic Golf Shirt | Navy Patriotic Golf Shirt | USAF Patriotic Golf Shirt | Marine Fairway Recon Golf Shirt | Coast Guard Search Pattern Golf Shirt | Space Force Orbital Approach Golf Shirt

Note: Clubbage is an independent golf apparel brand and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense, any military branch, any service academy, or any installation golf course.

Final Recommendation

If you are a golfer, military-base golf is worth knowing about. Some courses are open to the public. Some are restricted to eligible patrons and guests. Some carry service-academy history. Some are tied to presidents, famous players, or old Navy training centers. Some are simply places where service members and families get a normal round after a long week.

The main thing is to respect the access rules. Check the official course page. Bring the right ID. Budget extra time for the gate. Do not assume every base works the same way. And if you get the chance to play one of these courses, pay attention to where you are. Military golf often has more story under your spikes than a normal Saturday round.

FAQs: Military Base Golf Courses

Do military bases really have golf courses?

Yes. Many U.S. military installations have golf courses operated through MWR, FSS, MCCS, Navy Life, or similar recreation programs. Some are full 18-hole or 36-hole facilities. Others are shorter courses, practice facilities, or historic former-base courses.

Can civilians play golf on military bases?

Sometimes. Some base courses list public rates or public access. Others are restricted to active duty, retirees, DoD civilians, eligible veterans, dependents, and authorized guests. Always check the official course page and installation access rules first.

Can retired military play military base golf courses?

Often, yes. Retired military members are commonly included in eligible-patron categories at many base recreation facilities. Access still depends on the installation, the course, and current policy.

Can veterans play military base golf courses?

Some veterans can, depending on eligibility, ID, installation access, and local policy. Veterans with qualifying MWR privileges or base-access credentials may have access at certain locations, but policies vary. Check the course and installation before traveling.

Can I play a base golf course if I go with someone in the military?

At many restricted courses, an authorized military or DoD sponsor can bring guests, but this depends on the installation. The guest may still need to show ID, complete visitor-center procedures, or pass access screening.

Are military base golf courses cheaper than public courses?

Sometimes. Many military courses offer lower rates for active duty, junior enlisted personnel, retirees, veterans, or DoD civilians. Public rates, when available, may be closer to normal local-course pricing.

Are military golf courses good quality?

Many are better than people expect. West Point, Eisenhower, Fort Belvoir, Whispering Firs, Navy Golf Course Los Alamitos, and others have real design, conditioning, and history. Quality varies by installation, maintenance budget, climate, and usage.

What ID do I need to play a military base golf course?

If you are not an active duty, retired, dependent, or DoD ID card holder, you may need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, passport, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, visitor pass, or authorized sponsor. Requirements vary by installation.

Are military golf courses only for service members?

No. Some are, but others allow retirees, DoD civilians, veterans, family members, authorized guests, and sometimes the general public. Each course has its own access model.

What is the best military base golf course to play first?

For public access and history, West Point Golf Course is a strong first pick. For Air Force Academy scenery, Eisenhower Golf Club stands out. For public access with a Tiger Woods connection, Navy Golf Course at Los Alamitos is hard to beat.

Sources and Access Notes

Access policies can change. Always confirm current rules directly with the course, base visitor center, or official MWR/FSS/MCCS/Navy Life page before making travel plans.

West Point Golf Course: Official West Point MWR page.

Fort Belvoir Golf Club: Official Fort Belvoir MWR page.

Whispering Firs Golf Course: Official JBLM MWR page.

The Courses at Andrews: Associated Press reporting and Reuters reporting.

Eisenhower Golf Club: Official Eisenhower Golf Club site and background summary.

Navy-Marine Golf Course / Pearl Harbor recreation background: Naval Base Hawaii background.

Kaneohe Klipper / MCBH background: Marine Corps Base Hawaii background and MCAS Kaneohe Bay background.

Sewells Point / Donald Ross note: Sewells Point background and Donald Ross course list.

Bay Palms / MacDill AFB background: MacDill Air Force Base background.

Navy Golf Course Los Alamitos: Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos background.

Bonus former-base course: Naval Training Center San Diego / Liberty Station background.