Are you interested in learning how to play golf? What’s holding you back? Golf can seem complicated to the beginner. So many rules, so many different kinds of clubs, the lingo (birdies, bogeys, eagles, bunkers)…we get it and we’ve got you covered. We have compiled a list of the some of the best military golf course lessons available. Whether you are looking for just a few lessons to get you started or looking for some beginner weekly clinics, here you will find what you are looking for at some of the most beautiful and unique courses in the world.
Monterey Pines Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Navy Getaways.
Monterey Pines Golf Course, Monterey NPGS, CA
Monterey Pines Golf Course is an 18-hole regulation length course. Monterey Pines has a short layout which makes it perfect for the beginning golfer or an avid golfer looking to improve his or her game. PGA Members on staff offer private and group golf instruction. Lesson packages can be designed to meet each student’s needs, whether it’s just one lesson or a series of lessons. Please call Sam Jepsen, Head Golf Professional or Neil Larkin Assistant Golf Professional, C-831-656-2167. $40 per 30-minute lesson. Visit navylifesw.com/monterey/recreation/golf
Eisenhower Golf Club, US Air Force Academy, CO
Eisenhower Golf Club. Photo courtesy of USAF FSS.
The U.S. Air Force Academy’s gorgeous 36-hole facility is named after the 34th President of the United States. It is nestled in the foothills of Colorado’s Front Range, which has been described as the “alpine desert.” Many believe Eisenhower is the best golf club in the Department of Defense, offering two 18-hole, Par 72 courses. On the Blue Course, there are no houses, no out of bounds, a generous amount of directional and greenside bunkers, but very little water. The Silver Course is shorter and tighter and was supposed to be built as an executive Par 68, but was ultimately turned into a regulation Par 72. Lessons provided by PGA Master Professional, Gene Miranda, C-719-331-8504, PGA Class A Professional, John Trujillo, C-719-963-0327 or PGA Professional, Brian Whitehouse, C-719-333-2606 ext 211. Lesson prices vary from $40-$150. Visit usafasupport.com/eisenhower-golf-course.html
The Eglin Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Eglin AFB 96th FSS Facebook.
The Eglin Golf Course, Eglin Air Force Base, FL
The Eglin Golf Course offers 36 holes of championship golf and has been ranked 3rd in U.S. Military Courses. There are two separate courses, the Eagle and the Falcon. Both courses are Par 72. Lessons provided by Jerry Cappadona, C-850-882-2949 ext 6. Lesson/Clinic prices vary from $30-$99. Visit eglinforcesupport.com
Gordon Lakes Golf Course, Fort Gordon, GA
Gordon Lakes Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Ft. Gordon MWR Facebook.
One of the finest military golf courses in the South is Gordon Lakes Golf Course. It is a beautiful 27-hole, Par 72 championship course. Six holes are played around a 20-acre lake and consists of 81 bunkers and cutouts inside many Georgia pines and other native trees. Please contact the Pro Shop, C-706-791-2433 to schedule your lesson today. Lessons are $40 per lesson. Visit fortgordon.com/venue/gordon-lakes-golf
Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. Photo courtesy of MCCS Hawaii.com
Kaneohe Klipper, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base, HI
Experience this golfers’ paradise where the Ko’olau Mountains frame the front nine and the Pacific coastline spans the back nine. Enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze as it caresses beautifully manicured fairways. This 18-hole championship golf course has been rated #1 by DOD Patrons. The Kaneohe Klipper offers numerous clinics for various levels of skill. Please contact the Klipper Clubhouse for more information, C-808-254-2107. Lessons also provided by Golf Academy Hawaii, a PGA recognized golf academy with Mo Radke, and Jon Radke, PGA as talented golf mentors, C-808-386-3500. Prices vary from $45-$225. Visit mccshawaii.com/golf
Andrews Golf Complex. Photo courtesy of Andrews AFB FSS Facebook.
Andrews Golf Complex, Andrews AFB, MD
Andrews Golf Complex has three 18-hole Champion- ship Courses that provide an enjoyable challenge for golfers at all skill levels. The East Course is a Par 72, the West Course is a Par 71 for men and a Par 73 for women, and the South Course is a Par 72. Please contact the Head Golf Professional, Alan Burton or PGA Teaching Professional, Fred Heuvel, to schedule your lessons today, C-202-262-7200. Prices range from $35-$115 depending on type of lesson desired. Visit andrewsfss.com/golf.html
Legends at Parris Island, Parris Island MCB, SC
The Legends at Parris Island. Photo courtesy of Parris Island MCCS Facebook.
The Legends at Parris Island has been voted as one of the Top 10 Military Courses in the world. The Legends is an 18-hole, Par 72 course situated on a park-like military base where Marines are trained. Golfers can watch a recruit going through the rigors of boot camp, then watch them proudly graduate all before your round of golf. The layout of the course is fun for beginners yet challenging for advanced golfers. Please contact Cody Carter, Assistant Golf Professional at the Pro Shop, C-843-228-2240. Lesson/Clinic prices vary from $15-$50. Visit thelegendspi.com
Gallery Golf Couse. Photo courtesy of navylifepnw.com.
Gallery Golf Course, Whidbey Island NAS, WA
An 18-hole, Par 72 award-winning course with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains. The course overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. Lessons are provided by the Pro Shop, C-360-257-2178. Prices vary from $30-$105. Visit whidbey.navylifepnw.com
Woodlawn Golf Course. Photo courtesy of 86th FSS Website.
Woodlawn Golf Course, Ramstein AB, Germany
Woodlawn Golf Course at Ramstein Air Base, is one of the U.S. Air Force’s premier golf facilities. Woodlawn is an 18-hole, Par 70 course. Woodlawn offers a practice chipping and bunker area, practice range and a practice putting green. Lesson are provided by Alex Rowson, a member of the German PGA and he is also a British PGA level 3 Golf Coach. Contact the Pro Shop for more informa-tion, C-011-06371-47-6240. Prices for lessons are $99 for 5 sessions. Visit woodlawngolf.com
Carney Park Golf Course, Naples NSA, Italy
Carney Park Golf Course. Photo courtesy of NSA Naples MWR Facebook.
The Carney Park Golf Course is one of the most unique golf courses in the world. It’s located inside an extinct volcano and has been described as a cool, green oasis surrounded by a 93-acre park. It consists of a challenging 9-hole course which is best suited to leisure golfers, beginners and juniors. The Golf Course Manager has been a PGA Golf Professional for over 24 years. Two PGA Golf Pros provide many golf lesson opportunities that will teach you how to manage your game, improve your swing and more, C-011-39-081-568-5547. Prices vary from $40-$70. Visit www.navymwrnaples.com
Camp Zama Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Camp Zama MWR.
Camp Zama Golf Course, Camp Zama, Japan
Camp Zama is an 18-hole, Par 72 course. It is considered to be an extremely challenging course with large undulating greens and water coming into play on 10 holes. Please contact Ernie Harada, Head Golf Professional or Alex Iguchi, PGA Apprentice and MWR Golf Instructor, C-011-81-46-407-5284. Prices vary from $25-$525. Visit zama.armymwr.com/pacific/zama
The Lakes at Osan Golf Club. Photo courtesy of 51st FSS .
The Lakes at Osan Golf Club, Osan Air Base, Korea
The Lakes at Osan has been rated as the best golf course in the PACAF for six years. This beautiful 18-hole, Par 71 short course presents most golfers with a fair test of their abilities. Water comes into play on nine of the holes and out-of-bounds is a factor on eleven of the holes. Lessons are available from a certified teaching professional. Contact the Pro Shop for more information, C-011-031-661-6818. Prices vary from $25-$120. Visit 51fss.com/golf.htm
Visit Salute Military Golf Association at smga.org
Contributed by Rachel Ohalek, Military Living® Publications
Reprint from July–August 2015 • Volume 45, No. 4Parri
