By Brandon House, Navy veteran, REALTOR® and golfer, The House Collective Group
If you're stationed at Tinker or just PCSed in, you've got good golf close by. There's an 18-hole course right on base, and several public courses within a short drive in Midwest City and southeast Oklahoma City. Here's the rundown from a fellow veteran who spends too much time looking for his ball.
Tinker Golf Course (on base)
The Tinker AFB Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout designed by Floyd Farley and opened in 1961. It plays about 6,450 yards from the back tees, so it's very playable for most golfers.
What makes it memorable:
- Jets overhead. Low-flying aircraft cross the course regularly, which is a pretty unique distraction on your backswing.
- Wind. Swirling Oklahoma wind makes club selection tricky.
- Water. Several holes bring water into play.
Who can play? The course is open to anyone with a Department of Defense ID card. That includes active-duty members, retirees, DoD civilians and contractors. Call the pro shop at (405) 734-2909 for current guest rules and rates.
The course also runs lessons, scrambles and events throughout the year, which are a great way to meet people after a move.
Trosper has an amazing brisket bbq hotdog for the turn!
Public courses near Tinker
Course | Area | Holes | Why play it |
|---|---|---|---|
John Conrad | Midwest City | 18 | Closest public option to base, a Floyd Farley design from 1971 |
Trosper | Southeast OKC | 18 | Tree-lined, par 70, with a creek through the course |
Lincoln Park | Northeast OKC | 36 | OKC's most popular course, two full layouts |
Earlywine | South OKC | 36 | Great practice facilities, easy for Moore-area families |
Tips for military golfers
- Ask about military rates. Many courses offer discounts to service members and veterans. It never hurts to show your ID.
- Join a league. Base and city leagues are one of the fastest ways to build a network in a new town.
- Pick your neighborhood with your tee time in mind. Midwest City and Del City put you minutes from both Tinker's course and John Conrad.
New to the area? Read our guide to where military families live near Tinker AFB, or our complete VA loan guide for Oklahoma City & Norman.
FAQs
Can civilians play the Tinker golf course? DoD civilians and contractors with a DoD ID card can play. For anyone else, ask the pro shop about current guest policies.
What's the closest public golf course to Tinker? John Conrad Golf Course in Midwest City is the closest public 18-hole option.
Is there good golf in Midwest City? Yes. Between Tinker's course and John Conrad, Midwest City residents have two 18-hole courses just minutes away.
PCSing to Tinker and want a home close to the course? Call or text The House Collective Group at (405) 626-1911.
