Trevor Ng
Former US President Barack Obama is known to enjoy playing golf, and the topic of his golfing has sparked some debate. While some criticise the optics of a president playing golf during times of crisis, others defend it as a normal leisure activity. Obama has played at various prestigious golf clubs, including The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale. Obama's personalised golf ball, marked with POTUS, has even been auctioned off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Barack Obama play golf? | Yes |
| Number of times Barack Obama played golf | 105 rounds |
| Locations where Barack Obama played golf | Hawaii, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Merion Golf Club |
| People Barack Obama played golf with | Marty Nesbitt, Eric Whitaker, Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts |
| Food Barack Obama ate while golfing | Hawaiian Sun Passion Orange, Powerade, jumbo hot dogs, turkey sandwich |
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What You'll Learn
- Obama played at The Park golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2024
- He has also played at the Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale
- Obama played with ESPN hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon
- He has played with former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Alonzo Mourning
- Obama faced the dilemma of whether to golf during a national crisis
Obama played at The Park golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2024
Barack Obama has been known to enjoy a round of golf or two. While he was criticised by Donald Trump for golfing during his presidency, it is clear that Trump has spent more time on the golf course than Obama. In fact, Obama had only made three vacation trips to his birth state of Hawaii during his first presidential term, while Trump had made 30 trips to Palm Beach, Florida, by 2020.
Obama played golf at The Park Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 2024. While I cannot find specific details about this game, Obama has been known to play with a variety of people, from longtime friends to CEOs and political rivals.
For example, on his first full day of his Hawaii vacation, Obama played 18 holes at the Olomana Golf Links in Waimanalo, Hawaii. He played with a small group, including longtime friends Marty Nesbitt and Eric Whitaker. Obama also once played at the Merion Golf Club with Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, both of whom are NFL stars.
Obama's golfing trips have attracted some scrutiny, particularly regarding the financial cost to taxpayers. Secret Service protection, accommodation, and trips on Air Force One can be expensive. However, it is important to note that presidential golf traditions have evolved over the years, with some presidents using the course as a place to conduct business or forge political relationships.
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He has also played at the Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale
Barack Obama is an avid golfer and has been spotted playing at various golf courses across the United States. One of these courses is the exclusive Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Grande Oaks Golf Club is a private, members-only club located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. The club boasts an 18-hole, par-70 championship golf course that was designed by renowned golf course architect Steve Smyers. The course is known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery, with rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that come into play on several holes.
Obama has made several visits to the Grande Oaks Golf Club during his time in office and as a private citizen. On these occasions, he has played with a variety of partners, including professional golfers, celebrities, and personal friends. One notable partner was former NBA star Alonzo Mourning, who is a member of the Grande Oaks Golf Club and has played with Obama on multiple occasions.
During his visits to the club, Obama has also interacted with other members and guests, often drawing attention and excitement from those in attendance. His presence at the club has been well-received, and he has been praised for his golfing abilities and sportsmanship.
Obama's golfing trips to the Grande Oaks Golf Club have also drawn some criticism. Some have questioned the frequency of his golfing outings, especially during his presidency, and whether they were an appropriate use of his time. However, Obama has defended his love for the game, stating that it provides him with a chance to relax and socialize, as well as to conduct business and foster relationships.
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$8.9
Obama played with ESPN hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon
Barack Obama has been criticised for golfing twice during a Memorial Day weekend when the US coronavirus death toll was approaching 100,000. However, Donald Trump has spent more time golfing and has a bigger golf-related "carbon footprint" than Obama.
Obama is a fan of the ESPN show Pardon the Interruption, which is hosted by Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. On July 12, 2013, Kornheiser, Wilbon, and Tony Reali (of ESPN's Around the Horn) were guests at the White House. They had lunch and visited Obama in the Oval Office. Two years prior, Obama told Reali that Around the Horn was the only TV show he watched.
On Saturday, July 13, 2013, Obama played golf with Kornheiser and Wilbon at Fort Belvoir, a military base about 30 minutes from the White House. This was also Kornheiser's 65th birthday. Wilbon and Kornheiser did not ride with Obama in his motorcade. The day before, they had lunched at the White House and visited the Oval Office.
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He has played with former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Alonzo Mourning
Former President Barack Obama is known to enjoy a round of golf. During his presidential campaign in 2006, he played a round at Oahu's Olomana Golf Links in Hawaii. On this occasion, he played 18 holes with a small group, including longtime friends Marty Nesbitt and Eric Whitaker. Obama also played golf at the same course during his last trip to Hawaii in 2006, before becoming president.
Obama has played golf with several celebrities and sports stars. He has played with former NBA stars Michael Jordan and Alonzo Mourning. In addition, Obama played with Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts at Merion Golf Club. Barkley described Obama as "an athlete" and said that he was "pretty good".
Obama has also played with Vernon Jordan in high-profile foursomes, which included Clinton, Tiger Woods, basketball star Ray Allen, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
While Obama is known to enjoy the game, his successor, President Donald Trump, has been criticised for spending far more time on the golf course. Trump has been known to conduct business on the course, and his golf-related "carbon footprint" is also larger than Obama's, even when only counting air travel. Despite this, Obama has played a significant number of rounds, with an estimated 105 during his presidency.
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Obama faced the dilemma of whether to golf during a national crisis
Golfing is a popular pastime for US presidents, with a long tradition of leaders enjoying the sport. Barack Obama was no exception, and he faced a dilemma regarding his golfing hobby during a national crisis. While it is clear that Obama played a lot of golf during his presidency, he was criticised for golfing during his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, in 2014. This incident occurred just minutes after he condemned the murder of journalist James Foley by ISIS.
Obama's decision to golf during this sensitive time attracted negative attention, and it was not the only instance where his golfing sparked controversy. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Obama was criticised by then-President Donald Trump for golfing twice during a Memorial Day weekend as the US coronavirus death toll approached 100,000. Trump's criticism, however, was hypocritical, as data shows that he spent far more time golfing during his presidency than Obama.
Trump has been known to conduct business on the golf course, using it as an extension of the Oval Office, and he has frequently spoken about his love for the game. In contrast, Obama generally kept his golfing activities more low-key, although he did face scrutiny for his trips to his birth state of Hawaii, which accumulated 29,978 air miles across three vacation trips.
Obama's golfing trips, like those of other presidents, have financial implications for taxpayers, with costs arising from Air Force One trips, Secret Service protection, and accommodation. Despite the controversies surrounding the timing of his golfing outings, Obama continued to golf during his presidency, even playing with celebrities and athletes, such as Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.
While Obama's golfing during a national crisis sparked criticism, it is important to note that he was not the only president to do so, and the decision to continue golfing during sensitive times is a dilemma that many US leaders have faced.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Barack Obama played golf during his presidency. He played at Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale, and The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, among other courses.
Yes, Obama faced criticism from some who believed that it was inappropriate for him to golf during times of national crisis. However, others such as Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) were unconcerned with how much time he spent golfing.
Yes, Obama has continued to play golf since leaving office. In April 2024, he played at The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. In October 2024, he played at Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia with a group of golfers that included Philadelphia Eagles players.
Obama has played golf with several notable figures, including ESPN television hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, former NBA greats Michael Jordan and Alonzo Mourning, and former NFL star and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad. In October 2024, he played with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, and team owner Jeffrey Lurie.
