Trevor Ng
Joe Biden is an avid golfer who has played golf multiple times since becoming the 46th President of the United States. Biden played his first round of golf as president on April 17, 2021, his 87th day in office. He played at the Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, with senior advisor Steve Ricchetti and Ron Olivere, the father-in-law of Biden's late son, Beau. While the exact number of times Biden has played golf as president is unclear, various sources, including The New York Times, ESPN, and NBC News, estimate that he has played at least six times. Biden has also been criticised for the amount of time he spends on the golf course, with some arguing that it takes away from his presidential duties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times Biden has golfed since taking office | 1 |
| Date of first golf game since taking office | 17 April 2021 |
| Number of times Biden has golfed since 2018 | 1 |
| Number of times Biden has golfed since inauguration day on 20 January 2021 | Multiple times |
| Number of times Biden has golfed since taking office (according to various sources) | At least 6 |
| Biden's handicap index | Just over 6 |
| Number of rounds of golf played by Donald Trump during his presidency | Nearly 300 |
| Number of rounds of golf played by Barack Obama during his presidency | 333 |
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What You'll Learn
Biden's first round of golf as president
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States of America, has a passion for golf that he shares with many past US presidents. On April 17, 2021, Biden played his first round of golf as president at the Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, which is not far from his home in the state. This was on his 87th day in office, marking a significant departure from his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who played his first round of golf 15 days into his presidency.
Biden played with senior advisor Steve Ricchetti and Ron Olivere, the father-in-law of Biden's late son, Beau. White House pool reporters noted the occurrence, and Biden's handicap index of just over 6 was reported by the United States Golf Association. While Biden had played golf frequently as vice president, this was his first round since 2018.
Golf has been a popular sport among politicians and top-ranking officials in recent years, and Biden is no exception. He has been criticised for not doing enough as president, but he has stated that the job requires balance. Indeed, golfing can be useful for networking or diplomacy between political leaders.
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Biden's frequency of golfing
Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, has played golf multiple times since his inauguration on January 20th, 2021. According to various sources, Biden has played at least 6 times since taking office. However, the exact number is difficult to determine as Biden does not openly discuss his golf outings, unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump, who publicly reported his visits to the golf course.
Biden played his first round of golf as President on April 17, 2021, which was his 87th day in office. He played at the Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, with senior advisor Steve Ricchetti and Ron Olivere, the father-in-law of Biden's late son, Beau. This was Biden's first known round of golf since 2018, and he has been criticised by some for his love of the sport.
Despite this criticism, Biden has a long history with golf and is known to enjoy playing regularly. He played frequently during his time as Vice President under Barack Obama and has even used his passion for golf as a tool for diplomacy and networking. Biden has gained recognition as one of the top 150 players in Washington, DC, and his handicap index is just over 6, according to the United States Golf Association.
While the frequency of Biden's golfing outings may be surprising to some, it is important to note that he is not the only US President to prioritise leisure activities. Golf has been a popular recreational activity for many US presidents, including Donald Trump, who played nearly 300 rounds of golf during his four years in office, Barack Obama, who played 333 rounds during his eight years in office, and Dwight Eisenhower and George W. Bush, who also played often.
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Biden's golfing companions
Golf has been a favourite pastime for many US presidents, including Joe Biden. Biden played his first round of golf as president at the Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, on April 17, 2021. This was his first time playing golf since taking office in January.
Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, was also an avid golfer, playing approximately every 4.2 days while in office. Trump played at least 285 times during his presidency, totalling over 300 rounds in his four years in office. He often conducted business on the golf course and was criticised for neglecting his presidential duties.
Biden and Trump have traded barbs over their golfing abilities, with both men claiming they could beat the other. Biden has a handicap of just over 6, according to the United States Golf Association, while Trump has self-reported a handicap of 2.8, although this has been questioned by some.
In addition to Trump and Biden, other notable presidential golfers include Barack Obama, who played often and shared the course with Biden, and George W. Bush, who played with his father, former president George H.W. Bush. Golf has been used by some presidents as a way to escape the pressures of the job, while others have used it as an extension of the Oval Office.
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Biden's golfing ability
Biden's relationship with golf dates back decades, though it has never been a central part of his public image. His approach to the game is casual, centred on connection rather than competition. He occasionally played golf during his tenure as Vice President, using it as a medium for informal discussions with political allies and opponents.
Biden's golf outings are rare and low-profile, with fewer than 20 rounds played since taking office. He treats these outings as an occasional break from work, in contrast to Trump's frequent, high-profile golf trips.
During the 2024 election debate, Biden and Trump sparred over their cognitive abilities and golf handicaps. Biden, defending his age, said:
> "I spent half my career being criticised about being the youngest person in politics. I was the second-youngest person ever elected to the United States Senate, and now I'm the oldest. This guy is three years younger and a lot less competent."
Biden also challenged Trump to a driving contest, stating that his golf handicap as Vice President was a six, and that he would be happy to play Trump if he carried his own bag. Trump refuted this, stating that Biden's claim was "the biggest lie".
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Biden's use of golf for diplomacy
Golf has long been a popular pastime for US presidents, with the sport offering a chance for relaxation, diplomacy, and networking. Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, has been known to enjoy playing golf, although his approach to the sport has differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Trump was known for frequently playing golf during his presidency, with reports suggesting he played over 300 rounds of golf during his four years in office, often at his own properties. In contrast, Biden has played golf far less often, with sources estimating he has played at least 6 times since taking office in January 2021. Biden's first recorded golf outing as president was on April 17, 2021, 87 days into his presidency, reflecting his focus on governance over leisure.
Despite their differing frequencies of play, both Biden and Trump have used golf as a tool for diplomacy and networking. Biden has been known to use golf as an opportunity to relax and connect with friends and colleagues away from the public glare. During his time as Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden's golfing activities became more public, with the two often seen engaging in friendly rounds of golf that served as opportunities for informal discussions and bonding.
Trump also used golf as a means of conducting business and networking, with people noting that he frequently got work done on the golf course. However, Trump's use of golf for diplomacy and networking drew criticism for excessive taxpayer spending, while Biden's rare outings are generally perceived as a harmless break from his duties.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Biden has golfed.
According to various sources, Biden has golfed between one and six times since taking office.
Biden first golfed as President on his 87th day in office, in April 2021.
Biden golfed frequently during his time as Vice President under Barack Obama.
Biden has said that the job of President "requires balance". Golfing provides him with joy and relaxation, and can also be useful for networking and diplomacy.
