Navy Golf Course: Heart of Community and Heritage

The Navy Golf Course isn’t just turf and tees—it’s a living scrapbook of Southern California’s military pride and golf obsession. Sitting at 5660 Orangewood Avenue, it’s the rare place where you might hear the crack of a driver and the hum of a jet in the same afternoon. Since 1966, it’s been welcoming everyone from active-duty sailors to local weekend warriors who swear they “would’ve gone pro if not for the Navy.”

The $6 million clubhouse is more than a building—it’s a social anchor. Between the pro shop, banquet halls, and Take {5ive} Grille & Bar, you’ll find everything from league banter to post-round tall tales. And yes, the practice range is so spacious you could probably land a helicopter on it… though the Navy politely asks you don’t.

Historic Ties: From 1960s Vision to Modern Landmark

This course was born with Defense Department backing, which explains why it feels both strategic and welcoming. It’s golf with a mission: build community, honor history, and give locals a place to chase birdies while saluting the past.

Just beyond the fairways lies another piece of Southern California’s military heartbeat—the Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos. Established during World War II, the base has long been a hub for aviation, training, and community service. Its proximity means golfers often share their rounds with the roar of helicopters or the streak of a C‑17 overhead, a reminder that this landscape is more than leisure—it’s layered with duty and defense.
The partnership between the Navy Golf Course and the air base is more than geographic. Both serve as gathering grounds: one for service members sharpening their skills in the skies, the other for locals sharpening their swings on the greens. Together, they create a unique rhythm—jets and drivers, missions and mulligans—that defines this corner of Orange County.

The 18-Hole Destroyer Course

The Destroyer isn’t just a name—it’s a warning. Joe Williams designed this par-72 beast to test precision, patience, and maybe your vocabulary when you find the water on 15. Fairways are generous, but don’t get cocky—approaches demand Navy-level discipline.

Signature holes include:

• Par-5 third: Long enough to make you question your fitness tracker.

• 15th hole: Water-guarded, because nothing says “military precision” like a pond waiting for your ball.

• 16th hole: Risk-reward bordering the lake—translation: “Do you feel lucky, sailor?”

And yes, there’s an actual model Navy destroyer near the ninth. It’s the only course where your slice might get judged by military hardware.

The 9-Hole Cruiser Course

The Cruiser is the Destroyer’s fun little sibling—shorter, friendlier, and perfect for juniors, seniors, or anyone who thinks “golf should be less about punishment and more about laughs.” It’s a par-31 that can be played in under two hours, which means you’ll still have time to grab tacos in Long Beach afterward.

Facilities & Community Connection

The Take {5ive} Grille isn’t just a restaurant—it’s where golf stories get bigger with every retelling. The Junior Academy and PGA clinics make sure the next generation learns the game the right way (and maybe avoids Dad’s slice).

Events range from charity shambles to league nights, proving this course is more than fairways—it’s a hub where Long Beach and Orange County come together.

Conclusion: Lasting Impact and Modern Appeal

The Navy Golf Course is proof that golf can be both heritage and hangout. Whether you’re grinding through the Destroyer or cruising the Cruiser, you’re part of a tradition that blends military pride with SoCal community spirit. It’s not just a course—it’s a reminder that in Long Beach, golf is about more than scorecards. It’s about stories, laughter, and maybe a little friendly trash talk at the bar afterward.