Nina Caldwell
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, was not a frequent golfer. He rarely played golf and largely gave up the game after a hostage situation at Augusta National Golf Club in 1983. However, Reagan did take golf lessons from Max Elbin, the longtime pro at Burning Tree Golf Club, and he enjoyed playing the sport with friends. Reagan had a powerful swing and a humble demeanor on the course, never lashing out or letting his ego show, even when struggling with his game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Likelihood of enjoying golf | Low |
| Frequency of playing golf | Rare |
| Reason for not playing golf | Security concerns |
| Golf course visited | Augusta National Golf Club |
| Year of the incident | 1983 |
| Incident details | Hostage situation |
| Golf instructor | Max Elbin |
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What You'll Learn
Reagan rarely played golf
The incident, which became known as the Augusta National hostage crisis, involved a gunman, Charlie Harris, who crashed his truck through a locked gate and took hostages, demanding to speak to Reagan. The president was on the golf course that day, and the incident caused him to largely give up the game. Reagan reportedly said, "Playing golf is not worth the chance that someone could get killed".
Indeed, Reagan's protection detail recalled that the president rarely played golf again after the Augusta incident. This was a notable shift, as golf has long been a bipartisan tradition among American presidents, offering a chance to relax and socialise away from the pressures of office. Reagan's predecessor, Jimmy Carter, was an avid golfer, and his successor, George H.W. Bush, came from a family with a rich golf tradition.
While Reagan did return to Augusta the day after the hostage situation to finish his round without interruption, it seems that the incident left a lasting impression. Reagan's approach to golf stands in contrast to that of many other presidents, for whom the sport has been a regular pastime and a way to connect with others.
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Reagan took lessons from Max Elbin
Ronald Reagan was one of six presidents, including Eisenhower and George H.W. Bush, who took golf lessons from Max Elbin. Elbin was the longtime pro at Burning Tree, a prestigious private club outside Washington. He started out as a caddie at the Cumberland Country Club in Cumberland, Maryland, where he developed his golfing skills and won the club's Caddie Championship as a teenager. He was hired as an assistant at Burning Tree in 1940 at the age of 26, taking over from Lew Worsham, who left to become a professional golfer. Elbin served as president of the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) from 1965 to 1968, during a time when professional tournament golfers split away to form the PGA Tour.
Elbin played a crucial role in the creation of the PGA Tour and was responsible for the PGA of America's involvement in the Ryder Cup, which has become one of the most popular events in golf. He was recognised for his advocacy of caddying in golf and was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame. Reagan, on the other hand, rarely played golf. He gave up the game after a hostage situation occurred while he was playing at Augusta National Golf Club in 1983. Reagan's experience highlighted the security risks associated with presidential golf outings and influenced the White House to reconsider the potential dangers involved.
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Reagan's 1983 hostage situation at Augusta National Golf Club
On October 22, 1983, Ronald Reagan, who was not a frequent golfer, visited Augusta National Golf Club for a two-day trip. He was invited by George Shultz, the Secretary of State, who was a member of the club. Reagan was joined by Donald Regan, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Nicholas F. Baker, a former US senator from New Jersey.
That day, at around 2:15 pm, Charlie "Smiley" Harris, a 45-year-old local resident, crashed his 1974 Dodge truck through a locked gate at the golf club. He drove to the golf shop, disarmed Secret Service agents with a .<38-caliber revolver, and took seven people hostage, including Reagan's personal aide, Lanny Wiles. Harris demanded to speak with President Reagan, who he knew was playing golf at the club that day.
During the hostage situation, Reagan attempted to de-escalate the situation by calling the golf shop from a mobile phone, which was still a novel device at the time. He said, "This is the President of the United States. This is Ronald Reagan. I understood you want to talk to me. ... If you are hearing me, won’t you tell me what you want?". However, Harris thought it was a recording and hung up without speaking.
Harris held the hostages for another two hours until he was apprehended and surrendered. Reagan and his group were safely transported away from the golf course and returned to the club the next day, where he played golf without interruption. Harris was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, and criminal damage to property. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but only served three years.
This incident caused Reagan to largely give up golf, as he felt that "playing golf is not worth the chance that someone could get killed."
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Reagan had a powerful swing
It is well-known that Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, had a deep and lifelong passion for the game of golf. He was a dedicated golfer who played the game with enthusiasm and skill. One of the defining characteristics of Reagan's golf game was his powerful swing.
Reagan's swing was noted for its strength and fluidity. He had a natural athleticism that lent itself well to the golf course. With a graceful backswing and a swift, decisive downswing, Reagan could generate considerable power. His ability to transfer his weight effectively and maintain a steady rhythm contributed to the force he could exert on the ball. Reagan's powerful swing often resulted in impressive drives, with the ball traveling long distances down the fairway.
The president's physical fitness and dedication to maintaining his strength and flexibility likely contributed to his powerful swing. Reagan was known for his active lifestyle and regular exercise routine, which included activities such as horseback riding, swimming, and chopping wood. This commitment to fitness may have played a role in the force and consistency of his golf swing.
Reagan's passion for the game and powerful swing were on display during his presidency, as he frequently played golf at locations such as the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, and Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. He also played at the Los Angeles Country Club and Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California, where he had the opportunity to tee off alongside some of the sport's legends, including Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer. Reagan's powerful swing and love for the game earned him the respect of his golfing companions and contributed to his reputation as a formidable player.
In conclusion, Ronald Reagan's powerful swing was an integral part of his golfing prowess and a testament to his athletic abilities. His natural strength, combined with his grace and dedication to the sport, made him a remarkable golfer. Reagan's passion for golf and his impressive swing left a lasting impression on those who played with him and contributed to his legacy as one of the most enthusiastic presidential golfers in American history.
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$8.9
Reagan gave up golf after the hostage situation
On October 22, 1983, Ronald Reagan visited Augusta National Golf Club for a two-day trip as the guest of his Secretary of State, George Schultz. Reagan rarely played golf, and this trip was to be his first time on the course. However, his trip was interrupted when a man named Charlie Harris crashed his truck through the club's gates, disarmed Secret Service agents with a revolver, and took seven people hostage. Harris demanded to speak to Reagan, who made at least two phone calls to the golf shop in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Harris did not believe it was really Reagan on the phone and hung up. Eventually, Harris surrendered without further incident and was sentenced to prison, serving only three of his ten-year sentence.
Following this hostage situation, Reagan largely gave up the game of golf, stating, "Playing golf is not worth the chance that someone could get killed". Reagan's decision was also influenced by the security risks associated with presidential golf rounds, which have long been a target for criticism and scrutiny. This incident caused the White House to reconsider the potential dangers of presidential golf outings.
Reagan's approach to golf stood in contrast to many of his predecessors and successors, several of whom were avid golfers. From Franklin D. Roosevelt to Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush, US presidents have historically shared a passion for the sport. Eisenhower, in particular, spent so much time at Augusta National Golf Club that the club provided him with a residence known as the Eisenhower Cabin.
While Reagan did not share his predecessors' enthusiasm for golf, he did take lessons from Max Elbin, the longtime pro at Burning Tree Golf Club. Reagan's vice president, George H.W. Bush, came from a family with a rich golf tradition, and Bush himself was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his dedication to the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Reagan liked golf. He had a powerful swing and took lessons from Max Elbin, the longtime pro at Burning Tree Golf Club. However, he didn't play very often.
Reagan rarely played golf as president. He once visited Augusta National Golf Club in 1983, which would have been his first time on the course.
Yes, Reagan played golf with friends. Chase Morsey, a retired Ford Motor executive, played nine holes with Reagan regularly and said he learned a lot about the president on the golf course.
