Nina Caldwell
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was an avid golfer. He took up the sport as a child and went on to become one of the best golfers among US presidents. FDR discovered golf when sailing plans were spoiled by fog near his family's summer home on Campobello Island. He cleared a patch of land on the family estate to make room for a nine-hole golf course. At 17, he served as secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club and won the club championship five years later. FDR's powerful swing allowed him to drive the ball more than 300 yards. He continued to play despite contracting polio, which paralysed his legs. As president, he kept a lighter in the shape of a golf ball on his desk in the Oval Office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
| Also Known As | FDR |
| Date of Birth | 30 January 1882 |
| Date of Death | 12 April 1945 |
| Known For | 32nd President of the United States |
| Golfing History | Learned to play golf as a child, won the Campobello Golf Club championship at age 17, and was passionate about the game throughout his life |
| Golf Legacy | Implemented a public works program that constructed over 300 municipal golf courses, making the sport more accessible to Americans |
| Golf Courses Named After Him | Roosevelt Memorial Golf Course in Warm Springs, Georgia; Franklin D. Roosevelt Golf Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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What You'll Learn
FDR was a passionate golfer
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was a passionate golfer and is considered one of the best golfers among presidents.
Roosevelt first discovered golf as a 12-year-old boy when a dense fog spoiled his sailing plans near his family's summer home on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. He and his friends cleared a patch of land on the family's estate to make room for a nine-hole golf course. At age 17, Roosevelt served as the secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club, and at 22, he won the club championship. Roosevelt was known for his powerful swing, and he once bet his Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards. He won the wager by skidding his drive off a frozen pond in the dead of winter.
Despite contracting polio, which prevented him from playing golf, Roosevelt kept a golf ball-shaped lighter on his desk in the Oval Office as president. One of his most enduring golf legacies was a public works program that led to the construction of more than 300 municipal golf courses with federal money, making the sport more accessible to Americans.
Today, there are several golf clubs named after FDR, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Golf Club near Philadelphia, which offers challenging play for golfers of all skill levels. The Roosevelt Memorial Golf Course in Warm Springs, Georgia, is another example, reminding us of the late president's passion for the sport.
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FDR's golf legacy includes the construction of 300+ municipal courses
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is known for being the longest-serving US president and the only one to have served more than two terms. FDR was a passionate golfer and is considered one of the best golfers among presidents.
FDR discovered golf as a 12-year-old boy when a dense fog ruined his sailing plans near his family's summer home on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. He and his friends cleared a patch of land on the family's estate to create a nine-hole golf course. At age 17, Roosevelt served as secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club, and at 22, he won the club championship. Even as president, he kept a lighter in the shape of a golf ball on his desk in the Oval Office.
FDR's powerful swing was legendary, and he once bet his Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards. He won the wager by skidding his drive off a frozen pond in the winter, achieving a distance well over 300 yards. Unfortunately, polio prevented him from playing golf later in life.
One of FDR's enduring golf legacies is the construction of more than 300 municipal golf courses with federal money through a public works program. This initiative made golf more accessible to Americans and left a lasting impact on the sport's infrastructure in the country.
Today, there are several golf clubs and courses named after FDR, such as the Franklin D. Roosevelt Golf Club near Philadelphia, which offers a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels. The Roosevelt Memorial Golf Course in Warm Springs, Georgia, is another example, serving as a reminder of the president's golfing legacy.
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FDR contracted polio, preventing him from playing golf
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, was an avid golfer from a young age. Roosevelt discovered golf as a 12-year-old boy when a dense fog spoiled his sailing plans for a day near his family's summer home. He and his friends cleared a patch of land on the family's four-acre estate to make room for a nine-hole golf course. At age 17, Roosevelt served as secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club, and he won the club championship five years later. Roosevelt's powerful swing even led him to bet Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards.
However, Roosevelt's golf-playing days came to an end in 1921 when he contracted a paralytic illness that permanently paralyzed his legs. On August 25, 1921, Roosevelt was diagnosed with infantile paralysis, better known as polio, by Dr. Robert Lovett. At that time, polio often resulted in full or partial paralysis and the erosion of one's motor skills. Roosevelt's main symptoms included fevers, symmetric ascending paralysis, facial paralysis, bowel and bladder dysfunction, numbness, and hyperesthesia. Although he underwent years of therapy, including hydrotherapy at Warm Springs, Georgia, Roosevelt remained paralyzed from the waist down and relied on a wheelchair and leg braces for mobility.
Despite being unable to play golf due to his paralysis, Roosevelt continued to have a significant impact on the game. One of his enduring golf legacies was a public works program that led to the construction of more than 300 municipal golf courses with federal money, making the game more accessible to Americans. Even as president, Roosevelt always kept a lighter in the shape of a golf ball on his desk in the Oval Office, reflecting his lifelong passion for the game.
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FDR discovered golf as a child
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is the longest-serving US president and the only one to have served more than two terms.
As a child, Roosevelt learned to ride, shoot, sail, and play polo, tennis, and golf. Roosevelt discovered golf when he was 12 years old. A dense fog near his family's summer home on Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada, spoiled his sailing plans for the day. Roosevelt and his friends cleared a patch of land on the family's four-acre estate to make room for a nine-hole golf course.
At the age of 17, Roosevelt served as secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club. He won the club championship five years later. His powerful swing led him to bet Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards. Roosevelt took his friends out to a golf course in the dead of winter and skidded his drive off a frozen pond—well over 300 yards—to win the wager.
Roosevelt was one of the best and most passionate golfers among presidents. Polio may have later prevented him from playing golf, but even as president, he always kept a lighter in the shape of a golf ball on his desk in the Oval Office. One of his enduring golf legacies was a public works program that led to the construction of more than 300 municipal golf courses with federal money, making the game more accessible to Americans.
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FDR Golf Club in Philadelphia is named after him
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, was an avid golfer. He discovered the game as a 12-year-old boy and went on to become one of the best and most passionate golfers among US presidents. FDR was so enamoured with the game that he built a nine-hole golf course on his family's estate. He even served as the secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club at age 17 and won the club championship five years later. FDR's powerful swing was so impressive that he once bet his Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards, a wager he successfully won.
FDR's love for the game extended beyond his personal enjoyment. He recognised the social value of golf and implemented a public works program that led to the construction of over 300 municipal golf courses with federal funds. This initiative made golf more accessible to Americans.
The FDR Golf Club in Philadelphia, established in 1940, is named after the country's 32nd president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The club is a fitting tribute to FDR's golfing legacy, offering a picturesque view of the Philly skyline and providing an accessible space for golfers of all ages to enjoy the game.
Unfortunately, the FDR Golf Club in Philadelphia, the city's nearest golf course to Center City, closed its doors in 2019 after almost 80 years of operation. The closure was attributed to declining sales and persistent flooding issues. Despite the end of this particular golf course, FDR's impact on the game endures, and his legacy is honoured by those who continue to play and enjoy the sport he loved.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt played golf. He was introduced to the game as a child and was one of the best and most passionate golfers among presidents.
Yes, FDR had a strong connection with golf. He was introduced to the game at the age of 12 and went on to become the secretary and treasurer of the Campobello Golf Club at age 17. He even won the club championship five years later. FDR also had a powerful swing, which he demonstrated by betting his Harvard classmates that he could drive the ball more than 300 yards.
The FDR Golf Club, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a golf course named after Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. The course offers terrific views and a challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. It was established in 1940 and provides rental clubs, PGA Professional Instruction, and a snack bar.
