Nina Caldwell
Golf has long been a popular pastime for US presidents, with Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Dwight Eisenhower all playing frequently. Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, has also played golf, but his approach to the sport differs from that of his predecessors. While some sources claim that Biden has played golf multiple times since taking office, his outings are relatively rare and low-profile compared to Trump's almost 300 rounds during his presidency, which often took place at his own resorts. Biden's first round as president was in April 2021, and he has used golf as a tool for diplomacy and networking, in line with a long tradition of presidential golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times golfed as president | 1-6 |
| First time golfed as president | April 2021 |
| Handicap index | 6 |
| Golf clubs | Wilmington Country Club, Fieldstone Golf Club |
| Golf partners | Steve Ricchetti, Ron Olivere, Bob Casey |
| Golf as a tool for | Relaxation, Diplomacy, Networking, Strategic thinking |
| Golf as a priority | Low |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Biden's golfing history
Joe Biden's relationship with golf dates back decades, though it has never been a central aspect of his public persona. Biden's approach to the sport is casual and centred on connection rather than competition. He has used golf as a tool for diplomacy and networking, inviting colleagues to the golf course for informal policy discussions and to resolve disputes.
Biden played golf frequently as vice president under Barack Obama and was a member of the Wilmington Country Club in his hometown from 2014. He achieved a handicap of 10 in 2016, which he claimed to have reduced to 6 by the time he became vice president. However, his ability was mocked by former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who claimed at the GOP convention that "Joe Biden told me that he was a good golfer."
Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, played golf much more frequently, totalling over 300 rounds during his four years in office, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump also conducted business on the golf course, using it as a place to forge political relationships. In contrast, Biden has played fewer than 20 rounds since taking office, treating golf as an occasional break from work rather than a central part of his presidency. Biden's golf outings are usually low-profile, lacking the media buzz that surrounded Trump's frequent golf trips.
Biden's first known round of golf after becoming president occurred in April 2021 when he played with Senator Bob Casey and White House advisor Steve Ricchetti at the Wilmington Country Club in Delaware. He joked to reporters after his round, "The course record was still intact."
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Biden's golf outings as president
Joe Biden has played golf occasionally since becoming president in 2021. His first outing was on April 17, 2021, 87 days after his inauguration. He played at the Wilmington Country Club in his home state of Delaware with White House advisor Steve Ricchetti and Ron Olivere, the father-in-law of his late son, Beau. Biden joked to reporters after the game that his "course record was still intact".
Biden has a long history with golf and played frequently as vice president. He is a member of the Wilmington Country Club and has been since 2014, playing golf with friends and colleagues as a way to relax and network. Biden has said that he achieved a handicap of 6 while vice president, though former Ohio Gov. John Kasich mocked his ability, claiming that Biden was not a good golfer.
Biden's approach to golf is casual and centred on connection rather than competition. He has used golf as a tool for diplomacy and networking, inviting colleagues to the golf course for informal policy discussions and to foster relationships across the aisle. Biden's passion for golf highlights his focus on staying physically active despite the demands of his office.
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Trump's golf habits vs Biden's
Golfing has been a favourite pastime of many US presidents, including Dwight Eisenhower, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Joe Biden, who played golf frequently as vice president, took up the sport again in April 2021, playing at the Wilmington Country Club in his home state of Delaware. This was his first time playing golf since taking office, and only his second logged round since 2018.
Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, was also an avid golfer, playing over 300 rounds during his four years in office, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time Trump had been in office for 100 days, he had already played golf 19 times, mostly at resorts he owned, such as Trump International in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the Trump National course in Potomac, Virginia. Trump's frequent golfing trips led to criticism that he was neglecting his presidential duties, and the website trumpgolfcount.com estimated that his golfing cost taxpayers almost $146 million during his administration.
Trump was a fierce critic of Obama's golfing habits while in office, despite far outpacing Obama's record of 333 visits over eight years with 298 golfing trips during his single term. A video from June 2025 showed Trump swinging a golf club, missing the ball, and then picking it up off the tee. However, this video was later revealed to be doctored. Trump has also boasted of winning at least 20 club championships, a claim refuted by sportswriter Rick Reilly, who called Trump a "commander in cheat".
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Biden's use of golf for diplomacy
Golf has long been a favoured pastime for US presidents, including Joe Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, who played over 300 rounds during his presidency. Trump frequently used golf for political branding, diplomacy, and networking. Biden, on the other hand, plays golf far less often, keeping his outings private and low-profile. While Trump's golf schedule made headlines, Biden's approach avoids media attention, with the president treating golf as an occasional break from work.
Biden's first recorded golf outing as president was on April 17, 2021, at the Wilmington Country Club in his home state of Delaware. He played alongside Senior Advisor Steve Ricchetti and Ron Olivere, the father-in-law of his late son, Beau. This outing came 87 days into his presidency, a notable delay compared to his predecessors. The timing highlighted Biden's focus on pressing national issues before taking time for recreation.
Biden's approach to golf reflects his leadership style, which prioritises governance over leisure. While Trump was criticised for excessive taxpayer spending on his frequent golf outings, Biden's rare games are seen as a break from work rather than a habit. Biden's golf outings are also more informal, allowing him to unwind and maintain connections in a low-pressure environment.
During his time as Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden's golfing activities became more public. The two were often seen engaging in friendly rounds of golf, using these outings as opportunities for informal discussions and bonding. Biden's relationship with golf dates back decades, though it has never been a central aspect of his public persona.
In contrast to Trump, who conducted business on the course, Biden's approach to golf is more in line with traditional presidential golf outings, using the sport as a tool for relaxation, diplomacy, and competition. While Biden may not play as often as some of his predecessors, he recognises the value of golf in building relationships and engaging in informal diplomacy.
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Biden's golf ability
Golfing is a common pastime for US presidents, with the sport being seen as a stress reliever for one of the world's toughest jobs. Joe Biden has been golfing since 2001, and the game has been a part of his routine throughout his time in the White House, as both president and vice president.
Biden is a member of two country clubs in Delaware, including the Wilmington Country Club. He previously served as the Honorary Chairman of the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina.
Biden's golfing ability has been the subject of scrutiny and debate, with his handicap being a particular point of contention. A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's skill, allowing players of different levels to compete against one another. According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), Biden has a handicap of around 6.7, though he has not recorded a score since 2018. In 2016, Golf Digest ranked Biden as having a 10 handicap, placing him in 68th place among top DC golfers.
Biden's golfing skills have been compared to those of former President Donald Trump, an avid golfer who owns multiple golf courses worldwide. Trump claims to have a handicap of 2.8, though this has been questioned by many, including Biden himself, who mocked Trump's claims in a social media post.
While Biden's supporters have defended his golfing abilities, critics, including former Ohio Governor John Kasich, have suggested that Biden's handicap may be embellished. Kasich, who played golf with Biden in 2011, stated that Biden's claims of being a good golfer were untrue. However, Biden has showcase his putting skills in videos shared on social media, sparking further discussions about his golfing abilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Biden has played golf since becoming president. His first game was in April 2021, and he has played fewer than 20 rounds since taking office.
Biden played golf frequently as vice president. He used the sport to foster relationships across the aisle, inviting colleagues to the golf course for policy discussions.
Biden's golf schedule is far less active than that of his predecessor, Donald Trump, who played over 300 rounds during his presidency. Biden plays far less often, keeping his outings private and low-profile.
