Miles Bennett
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was a passionate golfer. He played at the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, and was coached by the club's PGA head professional, Max Elbin. Kennedy's love for golf began in his youth, when he would play with just four clubs, forcing him to be creative with his shots. He was a member of Harvard's golf team and was known for his competitive spirit and natural swing. Kennedy's golfing hobby offered him solace and a connection to the outdoors. He was also conscious of his public image, avoiding being seen on the course too often due to the criticism former president Eisenhower received for his frequent golfing. Kennedy's golf game was impacted by his chronic back pain, which influenced his stance and swing. Despite this, he is considered one of the most skilled golfing presidents, known for his great tempo and control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Enjoyment of golf | JFK loved golf, but tried to keep his passion for the game from the media. |
| Golfing ability | JFK was a skilled golfer, with a natural swing, despite struggling with chronic back pain. |
| Golfing style | JFK played with a narrow stance and hunched upper body, adapting his swing to protect his back. He was praised for his tempo and control. |
| Golfing venues | JFK played at Hyannisport Club, a Kennedy family summer getaway, and at a small course at Camp David. |
| Golfing partners | JFK played golf with Ben Bradlee, who described it as a "harrowing experience". |
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What You'll Learn
JFK's golf swing
John F. Kennedy was a passionate golfer, and his golf swing was described as "natural" and "competitive as hell". He was a member of Harvard's golf team and continued to play throughout his presidency, although he tried to avoid being seen on the course too often due to the criticism Eisenhower received for his frequent golfing.
JFK's swing was characterised by a short backswing, a loose lower body, and a large amount of turn in both his upper and lower body. This style was a result of his chronic back pain, which he struggled with throughout his life. He adapted his swing to protect his back, adopting a narrow stance with a hunched upper body and his hands close to his body. Despite these adjustments, he maintained a great tempo and always appeared in control of his swing, focusing on keeping the ball in front of him rather than trying to overpower it.
JFK often played at Hyannisport Club, a small and exclusive golf course in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, where the Kennedy family had a summer getaway. He also received a golf course as a birthday gift from his wife, Jackie, at their weekend retreat in Glen Ora, Virginia.
Ben Bradlee, who played golf with JFK in 1963, described the experience as "harrowing". JFK's skill as a golfer was widely acknowledged, and he is often considered the most talented golfer among US presidents.
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JFK's love of golf
John F. Kennedy was a passionate golfer. He was a member of Harvard's golf team and was considered the most skilled golfer to occupy the Oval Office. Kennedy was described as having a "natural swing" and great tempo, despite struggling with chronic back pain for most of his life. He often played at the Hyannisport Club, a golf course located in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, where his family had a summer getaway.
Kennedy's love for golf was well-known, and he was said to be competitive yet erratic due to a lack of steady play. He received a golf course as a birthday gift from his wife, Jackie, which was located at their weekend retreat in Glen Ora, Virginia. Kennedy also played at the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was coached by PGA Head Professional Max Elbin.
Kennedy's golfing offered him solace and a few hours of peace with the great outdoors, which he cherished. He was a proponent of the speed of play and deftly shielded his passion for the game from most of the media, as he did not want to be associated with his predecessor Dwight Eisenhower's golf obsession.
Despite his love for the game, Kennedy rarely played a traditional "round" of golf, often jumping between holes. He was also particular about his golf attire, famously wearing loafers while playing. Kennedy's golfing partners included Ben Bradlee, who described the experience as "harrowing," and Bobby Benson, the PGA head professional at Palm Beach Country Club.
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JFK's golf partners
John F. Kennedy was a passionate golfer, and his partners on the course included his press secretary Pierre Salinger, brother-in-law Peter Lawford, ABC News editor Bill Lawrence, and senior military aide Maj. Gen. Chester Clifton. Kennedy's golfing partners also included Ben Bradlee, who described playing with JFK as a "harrowing experience".
Kennedy was a skilled golfer, despite suffering from chronic back pain for most of his life, which affected his swing. He was a member of the Harvard University golf team and was described as a single-digit handicap golfer. He was also described as having a "great tempo" and always being "in control of his golf swing".
Kennedy often played at the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was coached by PGA Head Professional Max Elbin. Elbin also coached five other US Presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush. Kennedy also played at the Palm Beach Country Club, where he first met Bobby Benson, the club's PGA head professional, in 1959.
Kennedy's golfing partners also included future Undersecretary of the Navy, Paul B. Fay Jr. On one occasion, Fay yelled "Go in!" as Kennedy's ball headed towards the flagstick. Kennedy replied, "You're yelling for that damn ball to go in, and I'm watching a promising political career coming to an end."
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JFK's golf courses
John F. Kennedy was a passionate golfer, and golf was a solace for him, offering a few hours of peace with the great outdoors. He was a member of Harvard's golf team and was considered the most skilled golfer to occupy the Oval Office. Kennedy was described as having a "natural swing" and "great tempo", despite struggling with chronic back pain for most of his life, which affected his stance and swing.
Kennedy played at various golf courses, including the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was coached by Max Elbin, the PGA Head Professional at the time. Kennedy also played at the Palm Beach Country Club, where he would receive suggestions about his swing from Bobby Benson, the PGA head professional.
One of Kennedy's most notable golf-related moments was when he received a golf course as a birthday gift from his wife, Jackie. This course was located at their weekend retreat, Glen Ora, in Northern Virginia. It featured a mowed pasture with four-inch grass and low-mowed corners serving as tees and holes, including a "water hole" in the form of a swamp.
Another significant golf course associated with Kennedy is Hyannisport Club, located in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod. This course holds historical significance for the Kennedy family, as it was chosen by Joseph P. Kennedy, JFK's father, as the family's summer getaway in 1926. The Kennedy Compound, consisting of three homes on six acres, is located near the club.
JFK's love for golf was well-known, and he even managed to keep his passion for the game largely out of the media spotlight. His golf bag is now among the holdings of the JFK Library, showcasing the importance of the sport in his life.
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JFK's golfing attire
John F. Kennedy was a passionate golfer, and his golfing attire was often scrutinised by the media and the public. While there are no detailed descriptions of his attire, some sources provide glimpses into what he typically wore on the golf course.
One source mentions Kennedy's penchant for wearing loafers while golfing, a style that many have admired and wished to emulate. This choice of footwear set him apart and contributed to his polished and refined look on the golf course.
In an interview with Golf Magazine, Arnold Palmer analysed a 48-year-old recording of JFK's golf swing and provided insights into his wardrobe choices. Palmer noted that JFK wore a "blue shirt and pink pants", a combination that he approved of. He also pointed out JFK's choice of sunglasses, which he found unusual for someone who didn't typically wear glasses.
While not directly related to attire, Palmer's analysis of JFK's swing provides additional context for understanding his golfing style. Palmer observed that JFK had a "good setup" and looked "pretty solid over the ball". He suggested that JFK needed to "firm up his arms" and provided critiques of his backswing, downswing, and putting technique.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John F. Kennedy played golf. He was a member of Harvard's golf team and was considered a very skilled golfer, despite struggling with chronic back pain.
JFK was considered a very skilled golfer, with great tempo and control over his swing. He was even part of Harvard's golf team.
Yes, JFK played golf as president. He was known to play at the Hyannisport Club, a golf course located near the Kennedy family's summer home in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod. He also played at the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, and at a small, makeshift course at Camp David.
