Nina Caldwell
Golf has long been a favorite pastime of American presidents, offering a blend of relaxation, competition, and networking. One president who was particularly passionate about the sport was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who played more than 800 rounds during his presidency. Eisenhower brought golf to the White House, installing a putting green and even writing his 1953 State of the Union Address in the clubhouse at Augusta National. He used the sport to build relationships with politicians from both parties and increase nationwide interest in the game. While it is unclear if he played every day, he certainly played often and kept bags of clubs in permanent storage at multiple locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of rounds played during presidency | 800+ |
| Handicap | 14-16 |
| Hobbies besides golf | Fishing, hunting, shooting, painting, watching Western TV shows and movies |
| Golfing partners | Celebrities, golf professionals, high-ranking politicians, Bob Hope, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Sen. Robert Taft, Gen. Omar Bradley, Arnold Palmer |
| Golf courses frequented | Augusta National, El Dorado in Palm Springs, Gettysburg (Pa.) Country Club |
| Golf-related contributions | Brought golf to the White House, wrote 1953 State of the Union Address in the clubhouse at Augusta National, installed a putting green at the White House |
| Impact on golf | Increased nationwide interest in the game, made golf more accessible and popular among everyday Americans, considered golf's ultimate ambassador |
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What You'll Learn
Eisenhower's legacy as a golfer
Dwight D. Eisenhower is often credited with bringing golf into the mainstream of American culture. He was an enthusiastic golfer who played more than 800 rounds during his presidency, making him America's all-time golfer-in-chief. Eisenhower believed that golf epitomized an era of growing families and a burgeoning American culture. He wrote in 1953, "It is a sport in which the whole family can participate ... It offers healthy respite from daily toil, refreshment of body and mind." Eisenhower also saw golf as a way to foster goodwill and understanding among the international community.
Eisenhower's passion for golf was well-known, and he often played with celebrities, golf professionals, and high-ranking politicians. He was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and kept bags of clubs in permanent storage at several locations, including Augusta National and the Gettysburg (Pa.) Country Club. He had putting greens built at the White House and the presidential retreat at Camp David, and he wrote his 1953 State of the Union Address in the clubhouse at Augusta National. Eisenhower's frequent visits to the golf course, paired with his undeniable political appeal, increased nationwide interest in the game. The number of golfers approximately doubled during his two terms as president.
Eisenhower took up golf relatively late in life when he was 35 and stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He started playing the sport for relaxation while attending the Command and General Staff School. Eisenhower's love of golf made the game more accessible and popular among everyday Americans. He refused to apologize for loving a sport that was thought to be a rich man's pursuit, and his friendship with golf legend Arnold Palmer further contributed to the game's growing popularity.
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Golf as a political tool
Golf has been a popular hobby for many US presidents, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Eisenhower, in particular, was an avid golfer and played more than 800 rounds of golf during his presidency. He also brought the game to the White House, installing putting greens and using the South Lawn as a practice range.
Golf has been used as a political tool in several ways. Firstly, it has served as a form of informal diplomacy, providing a relaxed atmosphere for building relationships with politicians from different parties, fostering cooperation, and establishing friendships. Eisenhower, for example, played with high-ranking politicians from both parties to create a congenial environment.
Secondly, golf has been employed as a means to increase a politician's appeal and popularity. Eisenhower's frequent visits to golf courses, coupled with his political charisma, led to a surge in the sport's popularity across the nation. His enthusiasm for the game brought it from being perceived as an elite sport to one accessible to all, thereby increasing his appeal as a leader who embraced leisure activities.
Thirdly, golf has been utilized to escape the pressures of political life and find relaxation. Eisenhower, recognizing the stress of his position, turned to golf as a calming and enjoyable outlet. It provided him with a respite from the complexities of domestic and foreign policy, allowing him to briefly unwind and clear his mind.
Additionally, golf has been a platform for political criticism. Democrats in the 1950s attempted to critique Eisenhower's presidency by targeting his love for golf. Similarly, George W. Bush faced criticism for the amount of time he spent playing golf while in office. However, some argue that golf should be kept separate from politics, providing a refuge from the political realm, and a space to enjoy the game without political discussions seeping in.
Overall, golf has been a tool for fostering political relationships, enhancing popularity, escaping political pressures, and engaging in political criticism. It has been leveraged by politicians to achieve various strategic goals, shape public perception, and navigate the challenges of their roles.
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Eisenhower's other hobbies
Dwight D. Eisenhower was a passionate golfer. He played more than 800 rounds of golf while he was commander-in-chief, and his love for the game helped increase nationwide interest in the sport. Eisenhower believed that golf epitomized an era of growing families and a burgeoning American culture. He also saw it as a way to foster goodwill and understanding among the international community.
However, golf was not Eisenhower's only hobby. He was also an avid painter, producing several hundred landscapes and portraits during his lifetime, mostly given as gifts to friends. He took up painting in 1948 when he was president of Columbia University. Another hobby of his was farming. He was considered a hobby or gentleman farmer, as he did not make a living from it but instead enjoyed the pleasures of farm life. He particularly loved his black angus show cows, which won blue ribbons at state and county fairs.
Eisenhower also enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and shooting. He spent many days camping, fishing, and hunting along the Smoky Hill River in Kansas during his youth. As president, he continued to fish for trout in the clear water streams at Camp David. He also liked to grill steaks or his catch of the day for his guests. In addition, Eisenhower was a fan of Western TV shows like Bonanza and Gun Smoke, and he enjoyed reading Western novels and watching Western movies.
Eisenhower's hobbies provided him with leisure time to relax, unwind, and briefly escape the complexities of domestic and foreign policy. They helped him deal with the extreme pressure and stress that came with being a top decision-maker.
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Golf's popularity in the US
The popularity of golf in the US also stems from its accessibility and appeal to a diverse range of players. Golf is a sport that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels, and it offers a social and competitive outlet for players. Additionally, golf courses are often located in scenic areas, providing players with a pleasant outdoor experience. The sport has also benefited from technological advancements, such as the introduction of television, which allowed fans to follow the dramatic performances of golfers like Arnold Palmer, further increasing the sport's popularity.
Eisenhower's presidency coincided with a period of increasing leisure time for Americans due to the post-World War II economic boom. This meant that more people had the time and financial freedom to engage in recreational activities like golf. According to the USGA, the number of golfers approximately doubled during Eisenhower's two terms as president, from 1953 to 1960. Eisenhower himself was a dedicated player, carding more than 800 rounds of golf while in office.
Beyond the impact of Eisenhower, golf has also benefited from its ability to appeal to a wide range of players, including women and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. The sport has evolved to become more inclusive, with initiatives to encourage participation among underrepresented groups. Additionally, golf has a strong professional circuit, with tournaments like the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, which attract a dedicated fan following and inspire aspiring golfers.
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Golfing US presidents
Golf has been a popular pastime for many US presidents, with 17 of the last 20 presidents picking up their clubs during their time in office. One of the most famous golfing presidents was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who played over 800 rounds during his two terms in office, including snow days when he used black-painted golf balls. Eisenhower was an enthusiastic golfer, carding mid-80s scores, and he was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club. He kept bags of clubs in permanent storage at several courses and had putting greens built at the White House and Camp David. Eisenhower used the game to foster relationships with politicians from both parties, and he wrote his 1953 State of the Union address in the clubhouse at Augusta National. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, becoming the first US president to be enshrined.
Eisenhower was not the only president to be passionate about golf. John F. Kennedy was a skilled golfer, although he kept his outings hidden from the media. Kennedy's friend, Ben Bradlee, said of his playing: "He could hit it a ton... but often had no idea where it was going." Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, also played, although he often took mulligans on his first shot until he was satisfied.
More recent presidents have also been avid golfers. Both George Bush Senior and Junior, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama were open about their love of the game. Clinton reinstalled the putting green at the White House, which Nixon had removed, and hosted the PGA Tour's Humana Challenge in Palm Springs. Donald Trump has been criticised for playing too much golf during his presidency, with reports claiming he played 138% more rounds than Obama during their respective first two years in office.
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Frequently asked questions
Eisenhower was an avid golfer and played more than 800 rounds during his presidency. However, there is no indication that he played every single day.
Yes, Eisenhower played golf with high-ranking politicians, including Sen. Robert Taft and Gen. Omar Bradley. He also played with celebrities and golf professionals, such as Bob Hope, Sam Snead, and Ben Hogan.
Eisenhower brought golf to the White House by installing a putting green on the premises. He also used the South Lawn as a practice range and wrote his 1953 State of the Union Address in the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club.
Yes, Democrats in the 1950s criticized Eisenhower's love of golf, believing it would pierce his mystique as president. However, his passion for the sport made golf more accessible and popular among everyday Americans.
Eisenhower was an enthusiastic golfer who typically shot in the mid-80s. He is estimated to have had a handicap of 14 to 16. He also achieved a hole-in-one at the age of 77, which he considered "the thrill of a lifetime."
