Where Friendly Meets Awesome

You know it’s going to be a great day when a stranger in a parking lot smiles and tells you good morning. My day at Randolph Oaks Golf Course (JBSA-Randolph, TX) was an awesome experience. 

Texas is a big place, full of superlatives. Big superlatives are what you need to describe this course. This beautiful track is mostly flat and very scenic. Most of the holes are still playable if your balls stray from the fairway, as mine sometimes do.

It’s not a cakewalk though. There are challenges and potential frustrations here, with sufficient opportunities for lost balls. 

Long hitters can play close to 7200 yards from the tips. If you’re realistic about your golf abilities, there are four sets of tees to match your skill level. Lots of courses say they have something for every skill level. This course truly does 

It’s a scenic track with lush fairways and a good amount of water challenges. If your timing is right, you’ll get a free air show. JBSA-Randolph is a flight training base, and the golf course sits between two runways. It’s easy to become distracted by T6A Texans, T38 Talons, or any number of other planes. 

If you like parklike settings, you’ll love this course. Namesake oak trees populate the landscape, waiting for their close-up.Hitting off the Bermuda grass fairways is like playing off soft, deep-pile carpet. The greens are in great shape and roll true. 

Peaceful Frustration

My favorite frustration happened at Hole 11. This signature hole is a somewhat long, picturesque par three flanked by a pond leading to a two-level green. I took this all in under a perfect blue sky with puffy white clouds. Just being in the moment in that place was a pleasant, peaceful experience. The peace was interrupted by my tee shot. 

Everybody tells us high-handicap golfers to play the swing you brought. That day, I brought a minor slice off the tee. To account for that, my aim was over this pond. You guessed it, that ball flew straight and ended with a very nice splash. So I tee up my par shot, taking dead aim at the green, imitating my previous swing...and the slice came back. The ball bounced off the cart path and into another dimension. Sometimes it’s like that. It was a frustrating score on that hole, but I was quickly calmed by the beautiful setting.

Things That Fly

The next hole is a long par five adjacent to one of the runways. Here I had a couple balls that just had to see what was beyond the boundary signs. If you play like me, you might want to bring some extra balls. I had to finish out the hole and my day with an old orange ball from the bottom of the bag. 

Friendly Is As Friendly Does
While the course is mostly friendly, the people are totally friendly. From the strangers in the parking lot, golfers waiting to tee off, or in the pro shop, everybody was super friendly. The staff made me feel at home.

I had the chance to speak with Kenneth Boyce, who is the GM and Superintendent at Randolph Oaks. He told me his favorite thing about this course is that it’s a friendly track and hard to lose your ball. He’s much better at golfing than I am.

All These Things Add Up
The amenities here are first rate. The pro shop is clean, well stocked, and well organized. They’ve got anything you could ever need in your golf adventures. The selection of logo merch is outstanding.

One building houses the pro shop, locker rooms, and grill. A long, covered patio overlooks the large putting green.

Show of hands, how many of you have driven a golf cart with a rear view mirror, lights, and a horn? The new carts here are first rate, lots of features, and I’m told they’re running lithium batteries so your cart doesn’t run out of juice.

Practice Makes Better
I wish I had more time to use the awesome practice facilities here. I enjoyed my time on the driving range, not a mat in sight. For me, practicing off turf is the only way to go. They also light up the range until ten pm for late night sessions.

In addition to the large practice green, you can practice your chipping and your bunker play also. What more could you ask for?

How About Something To Eat?
A great course needs a great grill, and Mulligan's Grill serves up the good stuff. In addition to the usual golf course fare, there’s a daily special that’s delicious food served quickly. They open at 0600 for breakfast. Best of all, you can get lumpia every day, until sold out.

Friendly Fun Facts
• Randolph Oaks was the first official Air Force golf course
• Course hosts PGA HOPE and First Tee programs
• Original Perry Maxwell Design
• 74.1 rating,124 slope
• All JBSA golf courses are open to the public with a pass. Contact the golf course for details.

Don’t just take my word for it

You know by now that I really loved my experience here at Randolph Oaks. This is a great place I highly recommend. But it’s not just me, Randolph Oaks made the Golf Pass list of Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Texas - Golfers' Choice 2024. 

So, you’ll find other golfers here looking for a great experience. Just be prepared for them all to be friendly.