Gulf Winds Golf Course

On the grounds of the Naval Air Station, this military facility started out as a rudimentary 6-hole course that opened in 1955 and eventually became a first-class 18-hole layout. Prior to the final expansion in 1985, the course had 12 holes, with hackers playing six of the holes twice for a full round of golf.
The military personnel, some of whom maintain the course in exchange for green fees, keep this simple track in excellent condition. The course has forgiving, wide-open fairways-if your approaches are accurate into the small greens, only a true butcher could three-putt. Two ponds and a creek impact play on six holes. At only 5,700 yards, the course is very susceptible to low scores without the wind.

Hole 18 is a good finisher, playing 420 yards into the wind with out-of-bounds looming left.

Getting there : From I-37 south exit South Padre Island Dr. and turn onto NAS Drive. Follow the signs to the naval base and the course.