President Donald Trump, who has spent considerable time golfing during his holiday period in Florida, is setting his sights on a new project: a comprehensive renovation of the military golf courses at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Known colloquially as the "president's golf course," these courses have a prestigious history, having been frequented by several U.S. presidents including Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden. They are particularly notable for their proximity to the White House, approximately 15 miles away.
While Barack Obama holds the record for most times played at Andrews, with roughly 110 rounds during his two terms, Trump traditionally preferred private courses owned by his family. It is reported, however, that Trump is now enlisting esteemed golf champion and course designer Jack Nicklaus to undertake an extensive overhaul of the Andrews golf facility.
Michael Thomas, who served as the general manager of the Andrews golf courses from 1981 until his retirement in 2019 and played rounds alongside four presidents as well as then-Vice President Biden, remarked on the unique nature of presidential golfing. "It’s amazing that an individual has time to take a couple hours away from world crises. They’re people like everybody else," he said. Thomas also noted the elaborate security arrangements employed during presidential visits, including the use of numerous golf carts and a giant motorcade to secure the perimeter, characterizing these outings as high-profile productions.
Joint Base Andrews houses two 18-hole courses plus a nine-hole course, along with other facilities, some of which have undergone renovations in recent years. Congressional funding in 2018 supported updates nearby, such as replacing the aging presidential aircraft and constructing new hangar and support buildings, which necessitated adjustments to the golf courses as well.
Prior to Thanksgiving, Trump toured Andrews via helicopter accompanied by Nicklaus, who has designed leading golf courses around the world. The president described the site as "a great place, that’s been destroyed over the years, through lack of maintenance." Contrasting views from other golfers suggest that while some dry areas exist, the courses have generally been well maintained. Reviews commend the presence of mature trees, challenging roughs, and water features including ponds and streams that serve as hazards. The terrain is largely flat but offers views of the encompassing base.
The first sitting president known to have played at Andrews was Gerald Ford in 1974. Thomas began at the courses shortly thereafter and managed them for nearly four decades. He recounted how the Secret Service coordinated logistics with as many as 28 golf carts in addition to the standard 30-vehicle motorcade. According to Thomas, presidential golfers cherish driving the golf carts since it is a rare chance to do so. "It’s like getting your driver’s license all over again," he said with a laugh.
Trump is known to golf regularly on weekends, with an Associated Press analysis estimating that he has spent a total of 93 days on golf outings during his second presidential term. This includes rounds at courses his family owns in Virginia and Florida, in addition to those at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Although Trump has previously visited Andrews, there are no official records of him having played its courses.
The U.S. military history of Andrews dates back to the Civil War era, with the golf course itself opening in 1960. The White House announced that the forthcoming renovation represents the most extensive update in the golf courses' history, citing the need to address wear and aging infrastructure. Discussions are underway to potentially incorporate a multifunctional event center into the facility’s redesign.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle commented on the project, emphasizing Trump’s expertise as a champion-level golfer with a keen eye for detail and design. He added that the revitalization would offer significant enhancements to the golf courses, benefitting service members and their families for generations.
Currently, the renovation plans are still in their infancy. Specific cost estimates and funding sources have not been determined, though the president has commented that the project will require "very little money." This initiative joins several other construction projects associated with Trump, including extensive renovations to the White House East Wing with a new ballroom expected to cost approximately $400 million, bathroom updates near the Lincoln Bedroom, and patio renovations around the Rose Garden inspired by Mar-a-Lago's style.
Beyond the White House perimeter, Trump has been involved in projects such as renovations at the Kennedy Center and proposed construction of a Parisian-style arch near the Lincoln Memorial. He has also expressed an interest in rebuilding Dulles International Airport. Recently, his administration ended a lease agreement with a nonprofit managing three public Washington golf courses, a move declared separate from the Andrews plans.
Regarding the unique security considerations at Andrews, when the president plays golf, staff typically close off nine holes to prevent other players from being on the course ahead, a measure enhancing security and maintaining pace of play. The golf courses are not open to the public; instead, they cater primarily to active and retired military personnel, their families, and select Department of Defense federal employees.
Thomas recounted a memorable round with President George H.W. Bush, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and renowned for his swift pace of play. He also noted that George W. Bush combined golf with mountain biking for exercise. Barack Obama sought to replicate the experience at the White House by installing a golf simulator following a suggestion from Thomas in response to an inquiry by then-First Lady Michelle Obama.
One notable instance of presidential urgency at Andrews involved Obama cutting short a round after nine holes in 2011 to attend critical final planning for the Navy SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound. Despite such high-profile events, Thomas never observed a hole being interrupted due to an emergency or urgent call, nor were games canceled due to rain without advance notice.