WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says he's enlisting the help of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus to spruce up the courses at Joint Base Andrews — adding a site long known as the "president's golf course" to his long list of construction projects.
The president took an aerial tour of the Courses at Andrews aboard Marine One on Saturday, and promised, "We're going to do some work" there, as well as to other parts of the base.
President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington, en route to Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
"We're doing some fix-up of the base, which it needs. We're gonna try and reinstitute the golf courses. I'm meeting with the greatest, Jack Nicklaus," Trump told reporters outside the White House before boarding Marine One to head to Andrews. "He's involved in trying to bring their recreational facility back."
Located in Maryland, about 15 miles from the White House, Andrews houses Air Force One. Gerald R. Ford was the first president to golf there in 1974, but the facility was most recently a favorite of Barack Obama.
An 11th Force Support Squadron asset, the facilities include three 18-hole golf courses, three practice putting greens, two private practice areas and a driving range, according to the Andrews website. Trump said at least two of the courses could get facelifts.
Trump infrequently golfed at Andrews, preferring to spend most weekends playing at or near one of his own properties. Those are Bedminster in New Jersey, or Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. On weekends that he remains at the White House, Trump often golfs at his course in Sterling, Virginia, near Dulles International Airport.
President Donald Trump boards Marine One as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington, en route to Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Trump said Saturday the base at Andrews "was a great place that's been destroyed over the years through lack of maintenance."
"So we'll fix that up, and Jack will be the architect and he'll design it," the president said.
He also referenced, "Two existing courses that are in very bad shape" saying, "we can — for very little money — fix it up."
"And we're looking at other things over at Andrews," Trump added.
Jack Nicklaus waves April 9, 2015, before hitting the first tee for the honorary tee-off before the first round of the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Ga.
Nicklaus won 18 professional majors and 73 times on the PGA Tour. The Nicklaus Design firm features a team that completed more than 425 courses in 40 states and more than 45 countries.
Trump's comments immediately raised questions about who is paying Nicklaus, and how much such design services might cost. Given that Andrews is military property, who pays for improvements to its golf courses or other parts of its grounds also was unclear.
Andrews deferred queries on the matter to the White House, which didn't respond to a request for more details.
Construction crews demolished the East Wing of the White House to make room for a $300 million ballroom that Trump commissioned. He promised that it is being paid for by himself and private donors — including 37 individuals, firms and charitable organizations that publicly disclosed contributing to the project.
Trump replaced the lawn in the Rose Garden with a patio area reminiscent of Mar-a-Lago, and redecorated the Lincoln Bathroom and Palm Room in the White House's interior.
The president also installed a Walk of Fame featuring portraits of past presidents along the Colonnade, massive flagpoles on the north and south lawns and substantially overhauled the Oval Office through the addition of golden flourishes, cherubs and other, flashy items.
The work at Andrews eventually may join another off-White House site project Trump announced publicly: his plan to erect a Paris-style arch just west of the Lincoln Memorial.
Marine One with President Donald Trump aboard departs from the South Lawn of the White House, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington, en route to Joint Base Andrews. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Trump ceded control of his family business to his children when he returned to the White House, but it controls other courses designed by Nicklaus — including the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the New York City borough of the Bronx and Trump National Juniper in Florida.
5 best states for a golf vacation
5 best states for a golf vacation
Updated
Golf's connection to the natural world has long been a major part of its appeal, but enthusiasm for the sport in the United States runs deeper than the scenic landscapes of its courses.
Thanks to its low physical impact on the body, it's an alluring sport for people of all ages and skill levels. It's also mentally challenging and offers a leisurely social component for those seeking interaction.
More recently, technology has helped the sport evolve from the links and the driving range to climate-controlled indoor spaces with entertainment amenities. Golf simulator businesses have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 6.2 million Americans hitting golf balls using a simulator in the past year, according to the National Golf Foundation. There's also a lower barrier to entry for those wanting to practice year-round as the competitive market for indoor simulators has considerably lowered the cost of playing the sport.
The sport's broad appeal can be felt nationwide. The NGF's 2023 Golf Impact Report revealed that golf generated more than $100 billion in annual economic impact and was one of the biggest sources of tourism dollars in some states.
PrimePutt compiled a list of the best states for golfing in the U.S. using data from My Baggage. States were ranked according to the distribution of golf courses, driving ranges, tournaments, and golf coaches per 100,000 residents, alongside the number of platinum clubs.
#5. Wyoming
Updated
- Golf score: 54.82
If it's outdoor respite you seek, few places in the country are more grand and serene than the Cowboy State. Beyond its majestic mountains, prairies, and varieties of wildlife, Wyoming is also home to golf courses with challenging terrain and breathtaking views.
Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson, the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, Three Crowns Golf Club in Casper, and Rochelle Ranch Golf Course in Rawlins are just a handful of the 60-plus courses in the state that offer stunning views of the mountains and wildlife like pronghorn antelope and mule deer in equal abundance. In 2022, the Bureau of Economic Analysis found that outdoor recreation accounted for 4.1% of the state's gross domestic product, nearly doubling the national average.
#4. South Carolina
Updated
- Golf score: 57.33
South Carolina has long held the reputation as a golf resort haven, with beautiful ocean views providing an ideal backdrop for any golf getaway. Home to the "Golf Capital of the World," Myrtle Beach, the state boasts 80-plus award-winning courses. Among them include the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of coast and golf tourist hot spot that attracts more than 14 million people annually. South Carolina Tourism reported that golf exceeded $3.3 billion in annual impact on the state's economy in 2021, generating more income than any other form of entertainment or recreation.
#3. Arizona
Updated
- Golf score: 59.79
If you like golfing on days with clear, sunny skies and reliable dry heat, look no further than Arizona. Several of its cities are ranked among the best in the country for golf, including Scottsdale, home to the famed The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, along with other golf destinations like Tucson, Phoenix, and Mesa.
Beyond some of its most popular courses like We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, The Estancia Club, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, and Troon North, the state celebrates golf in all of its forms, offering multiple PopStroke locations where golfers can enjoy dining, entertainment, and two 18-hole mini golf putting courses. Per a 2020 Arizona Alliance for Golf report, golf tourism supports approximately 50,000 jobs in the state, generating around $4.6 billion in annual economic activity.
#2. Colorado
Updated
- Golf score: 62.91
Beyond the elevation helping the ball travel further, Colorado's most prominent golf courses are known for their breathtaking backdrops. The state offers courses that emulate the Midwest's tree-lined sceneries and the desert's firm conditions while its mountainous settings are unmatched. It is also home to golf history, from Arnold Palmer's famed U.S. Open comeback at Cherry Hills to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, where Jack Nicklaus captured his first U.S. Amateur title. CommonGround golf course in Aurora, home to the Colorado Golf Association, is consistently ranked among the best course values in the country.
#1. Florida
Updated
- Golf score: 64.42
With more golf courses than any other state, Florida has long held a reputation for being a golf destination, offering more than 1,200 public courses in addition to year-round playing conditions. The city of Jupiter alone is home to more than 30 PGA Tour members, making the Sunshine State perfect for the pros.
From TPC Sawgrass to Innisbrook to Bay Hill, many of the state's courses are regular hosts of PGA Tour events, while its private courses rank among the best in the country. Areas like Orlando, Palm Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Naples, Port Saint Lucie, and Amelia Island offer varied geography and course layouts for golfers of all skill levels. A Tourism Economics study commissioned by the Florida Sports Foundation found that golf was the largest revenue generator of leisurely activities, contributing $44.2 billion in economic impact from 2019 to 2021.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
This story originally appeared on PrimePutt and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
