Few public golf courses in America carry the historical weight that Langston does. Built in 1939 and named for John Mercer Langston — the first Black American elected to Congress from Virginia — the course was one of the only places African American golfers in Washington could play during the era of segregation. It became a proving ground for Black golf in the mid-20th century, a place where serious players honed their games when most of the city's courses were closed to them. That history is woven into every round played here.
The course sits along the Anacostia River in northeast DC, offering views of the water and the broader city skyline that few urban public tracks can match. The terrain is relatively flat but the layout rewards thoughtful play, and the proximity to the river brings wind into the equation more often than first-time visitors expect.
Today Langston remains one of the most affordable and accessible public golf options in the District, drawing a loyal local following and a steady stream of visitors who come as much for the history as for the round itself.
