On November 22, 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans to renovate at least two of the three golf courses at Joint Base Andrews, a United States military facility located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, heralded as the “president’s golf course.” Trump, traveling aboard Marine One, said the courses had deteriorated over time and revealed that legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus would lead the redesign, according to The Washington Post.
Sited less than 15 miles from Washington, D.C., Andrews is not only a major Air Force base—it’s also home to Air Force One. Its golf facility, operated by the 11th Force Support Squadron, the facilities include three golf courses (The East Course, South Course, and West Course (a 9 hole course), three practice putting greens, two private practice areas and a driving range, according to the Andrews website.
During his tour, Trump described two of the existing courses as being “in very bad shape,” according to WSLE news. He claimed the renovation could be done “for very little money,” though he did not disclose exactly who would fund the effort or how much Nicklaus would be paid. His comments sparked immediate scrutiny, given the property’s military status and unclear financial underpinnings.
Jack Nicklaus is one of the most accomplished golfers ever, with 18 major championships and more than 425 course designs to his name. Naming his firm to lead the project gives the renovation considerable prestige.
The Andrews courses themselves have a long and storied past. The East Course opened in 1956 and was designed by Russell Roberts and Frank Murray. The base’s links have also hosted multiple U.S. presidents—Gerald Ford first played there in 1974, and Barack Obama used it frequently during his time in office.
Still, big questions remain. The Pentagon reportedly deferred questions on funding to the White House, and it has not yet clarified how the project will be financed or whether taxpayer dollars will be used.
Trump’s plans for Andrews follow other high-profile construction efforts under his leadership—including a controversial $300 million rebuild of the White House’s East Wing into a grand ballroom, funded by private donors.
If completed, the revamp at Andrews could breathe new life into a historic military golf course. But for now, the future remains uncertain—especially as the debate intensifies around cost, access, and the role of recreation on military installations.
