I'm not in the military, but we have a gem of a military course here in Tampa. The South course at MacDill Air Force Base has a great layout with several of the holes running along Tampa Bay. Those holes are very scenic.
I've played there a few times and enjoy it despite the lackluster condition. I don't expect the course to be perfectly maintained because I'm sure they have a small operating budget.
1. Bayonet and Blackhorse used to be military courses; Fort Ord, CA.
2. Vandenberg AFB in Lopoc, CA is a nice course as well.
3. MCAS Miramar
4. Awase Meadows Okinawa Japan
5. Banyan Tree GC Kadena AFB Okinawa Japan
I'd say the nicest I've played would probably be Nellis AFB in Las Vegas--either course is nice and there's nothing like hitting an approach on with a B-1B coming in for a landing or trying to sink a putt with a couple of F-22s taking off over your head! NAS Jax isn't bad either and the Academy's courses are supposed to be impressive. Tama Hills in Japan is supposed to be sweet although it's on Yokota Air Base it's the course the base uses as their "home" course.
I've never been in the service but I have played all the military courses in Colorado Springs.
Eisenhower, the course at the Air Force Academy, is awesome. They have two courses and I have played them both (Blue and White, don't remember which is which). The starter told us that it is the #1 course in the DoD, but I don't know who is saying that. One of the top five courses I've ever played.
Cheyenne Shadows on Fort Carson is a fun course that is really inexpensive for what it is, and it is open to the public.
There is also a course on Peterson AFB that is nothing special, and it is hard as hell to get out there.
I'm no longer in but last year I played the course at Beale AFB in Marysville, CA. Good course in good shape, it was a fun round. My boss who is retired AF took me and I got a mini tour of the U2 area as well. On a side note they have a fleet of Camaros that they somehow use driving down the runway next to the U2's. Although I'm not sure what their exact purpose is. I just thought it was odd seeing a bunch of like Camaros lined up dress-right-dress!
I'm no longer in but last year I played the course at Beale AFB in Lincoln, CA. Good course in good shape, it was a fun round. My boss who is retired AF took me and I got a mini tour of the U2 area as well. On a side note they have a fleet of Camaros that they somehow use driving down the runway nest to the U2's. Although I'm not sure what their exact purpose is. I just thought it was odd seeing a bunch of like Camaros lined up dress-right-dress!
The camaros are used as chase vehicles. Pilots are actually lifted into the aircraft because of the suit they have to wear due to the high altitudes. The U-2 doesn't have three wheels like most aircraft (one front and two back), but two on the fuselage and two more on the wings. The chase guys are pilots that talk to the pilot and direct him down. Never been on a ride, but I have a friend that has and it's supposed to be an awesome ride.
Hi guys, the best military one I,ve played is the course at the Annapolis Naval Academy.Freakin incredible.Very hilly and tough,good thing I was with a couple of cadets to show me the way around.With their guidance I shot 80,so not too bad
I'm no longer in but last year I played the course at Beale AFB in Lincoln, CA. Good course in good shape, it was a fun round. My boss who is retired AF took me and I got a mini tour of the U2 area as well. On a side note they have a fleet of Camaros that they somehow use driving down the runway nest to the U2's. Although I'm not sure what their exact purpose is. I just thought it was odd seeing a bunch of like Camaros lined up dress-right-dress!
The camaros are used as chase vehicles. Pilots are actually lifted into the aircraft because of the suit they have to wear due to the high altitudes. The U-2 doesn't have three wheels like most aircraft (one front and two back), but two on the fuselage and two more on the wings. The chase guys are pilots that talk to the pilot and direct him down. Never been on a ride, but I have a friend that has and it's supposed to be an awesome ride.
I had a feeling someone here would know the answer to that. Sounds like it would ne fun, maybe I should see if he can arrange a ride-along. Thanks for the input!
I'm no longer in but last year I played the course at Beale AFB in Lincoln, CA. Good course in good shape, it was a fun round. My boss who is retired AF took me and I got a mini tour of the U2 area as well. On a side note they have a fleet of Camaros that they somehow use driving down the runway nest to the U2's. Although I'm not sure what their exact purpose is. I just thought it was odd seeing a bunch of like Camaros lined up dress-right-dress!
The camaros are used as chase vehicles. Pilots are actually lifted into the aircraft because of the suit they have to wear due to the high altitudes. The U-2 doesn't have three wheels like most aircraft (one front and two back), but two on the fuselage and two more on the wings. The chase guys are pilots that talk to the pilot and direct him down. Never been on a ride, but I have a friend that has and it's supposed to be an awesome ride.
I had a feeling someone here would know the answer to that. Sounds like it would ne fun, maybe I should see if he can arrange a ride-along. Thanks for the input!
No problem! My buddy was a maintenance officer on U-2s and he said the camaros are speeding down the runway at 90-100 mph because the pilot can't see a thing while landing the plane.
I'd say Ramstein AFB has a really nice course (Woodlawn GC). The course on Hickam AFB on Hawaii (Mamala Bay) is nice also. Tinker AFB, OK had a nice course. I don't know if they rebuilt since the Tornado though. Seal Beach is suppose to have a nice course since it's been rebuilt (Destroyer Course is what it's called) and Tiger has played there before when he was young.
I wonder when they changed to Camaro's. The last I knew they were using Mustangs.
Nellis isn't bad but don't forget they give military discounts at courses off base. My brother and I played at Angel Park for 60 or 70 bucks for the both of us. So we played both of the 18 hole courses they have. Both course are very nice, Mountain course being the harder of the two and they have par 3 course too.
Second the USAF Academy. Blue is the best and in the top 100 architectural courses in the country (or at least was when I was there) and the Silver is pretty good as well.
Well I would have to say the best military courses I've played, is Seal Beach, Banyan Tree Okinawa Japan, NAS Oceana Virginia beach,Nellis NV. Luke AFB AZ, Eglin AFB FL. My home course right now is Tyndall AFB Fl. good layout we just need someone with a clue to keep in shape.
When I was in the Army, I got to play in the Armed Forces Championships several times and as a result, I wound up being a General's aide while I was at Ft. Benning. The General loved golf and would travel all over the country to play.
The top 5 that I got to play:
1. Eisenhower Blue, Colorado Springs
2. Eglin Golf Course (Eagle), Eglin AFB
3. Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course, Hawaii
4. Salado Del Rio, Ft. Sam Houston (A.W. Tillinghast design)
5. Sewell's Point, Norfolk, VA (Donald Ross design)
played this course in San Diego called NCAS Miramar, great lay out. all holes are pretty much strait and its 6,700 course and its about "tee it high and let IT fly" you can because there isnt much trees. and on the front you can see the naval air hanger/base SWEET!
Played at the golf course on Kaneohe Marine corp base and it was nice. Greens were awesome. They have the number one rated hole of all military, number 13 along the ocean. Mamala Bay on Hickam is a nice track and played there quite a few times. There's a couple holes along the ocean there too.
I played the East Course here at The Courses at Andrews AFB last week. It was pretty nice. There are two more (West and South) here that I've yet to play, but if the weather holds up I'll be playing there often! I agree that Tyndall is a really nice course if kept in shape--some great holes on that one! Lackland AFB is alright--the 1st and 10th holes have huge dropoffs off the tee with number one fairway sloping toward the green. I also played Randolph AFB, but I didn't think much of that one. Of course, I think they had put in new greens when I was there so that could've been a factor.
played this course in San Diego called NCAS Miramar, great lay out. all holes are pretty much strait and its 6,700 course and its about "tee it high and let IT fly" you can because there isnt much trees. and on the front you can see the naval air hanger/base SWEET!
Yep, You can see the hanger with "Fighter Town USA" on it if you squint hard enough! I was stationed at NASNI on Coronado Island as part of a Marine detachment and we had a decent 18 hole track. At $3 for 18 holes how can you go wrong!? Simp
Before the volcano I think that Clark AB in the Philippines was a really great course. I also like the AF Acad. course, and the course at Fort McPherson (Atlanta) are great courses.
The military courses that meant the most to me are:
Fort Lewis, WA- My first ever round of golf was there, nice condition and layout too.
Camp Casey, Korea- Only golf course I have played with guard towers on it. Roughly 10 miles or so from the North Korea border. 9-hole course doubles as the parade field.
Fort Lee, VA- I used to live on the third hole. Where I started to take golf seriously.
Wright Patterson AFB's Prairie Trace is fun and has been in great shape the 3 times I played it.
Lackland AFB was where I played my best golf and I loved some of the holes there. But it's generally too dried out....if only they had a better budget, it could be great.
Played Nellis a few times and it was fun, but doesn't stick out to me as being real good.
Hi Fellows,I'm retired USAF and live in Anchorage,Alaska...i've played golf all over the world,Germany,Norway,Sweden,Saint Andrews(The Old Course),etc....here in Alaska Eagleglen located on Elmemdorf AFB is rated the best course in Alaska but it's not the hardest....in the Artic Valley on Ft. Richardson Army base they have 2 courses...The Hill Course at Moose Run and The Creek Course...The Creek course is the hardest course i've ever played....i'm a 6 handicap...(not bad for my age 64yrs old)...they have a par 5 on The Creek course that even Tiger couldn't go far in 2...you have to lay up on your drive and 2nd shot.....if you ever come to Alaska and you think you a good golfer...he he he....go play The Creek course and make sure you have plenty of golfballs....Bill
I just looked on Google Earth and if The Creek Course is the one on the same side of the road as the driving range then that does look like a really nice course! Not a straight hole on the course it would appear. Plenty of doglegs and long par 3's too. Is the long par 5 the one that goes down by the road? If that's it then I figured that with a 315 yard drive one would be left with a 290'ish yard second shot to reach in 2. I think Tiger could do it though. Simp
been in the air force awhile stationed all over there are alot of great military courses nas jax is nice tyndall is also. i enjoyed fort bliss texas desert course i think its called the sunset course (even the 11 hole course on white sands missle range was fun with a great group of guys who play it) in korea now and love the lay out up in osan ab. if your in the pan handle of florida i think the 27 hole at nas pensicola are alot of fun. but the best in my opionion is mcdill in tampa best maintained and just fun. cant wait to play all of them again and again cause you cant beat the prices
Probably the best courses I've played are at Ramstein Germany's Woodlawn golf course (they hosted a PGA tour event back in the mid 90s) and Quantico Marine Corps Base's Medal of Honor Course. Both are tremendous challenges!
Another set of good courses are at Andrews AFB MD. I think they are up to four now. Of course AUDuffer knows what I'm talking about! Ft. Dix NJ is a great course, better than the one at McGuire AFB a couple of miles away.