Trevor Ng
Many US presidents have enjoyed playing golf, with Dwight D. Eisenhower bringing it to the White House lawn, playing an estimated 800 rounds. However, President Donald Trump has been criticised for spending too much time on the golf course, racking up 285 daytime visits to golf clubs, with evidence of him playing on at least 142 occasions as of November 8, 2020. Trump spent 75 days playing golf in 2018, 87 days in 2019, and 54 days in 2020, for a total of over 300 rounds in his four years in office. In contrast, President Joe Biden played golf once in his first 100 days in office, though he was an avid golfer in his time as vice president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| President with the highest number of golf rounds | Dwight D. Eisenhower (800 rounds) |
| President Trump's daytime visits to golf clubs | 285 |
| President Trump's number of golf plays | At least 142 as of November 8, 2020 |
| President Obama's number of golf rounds | 105 |
| President Trump's visits to Trump-owned golf courses between January 2017 and January 3, 2018 | 92 |
| Average number of days between golf rounds for Trump | 5 days |
| Average number of days between golf rounds for Obama | 12-13 days |
| Trump's number of golf plays during his second term | More than 10 days, as of January 20, 2025 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Trump's golfing during the 2020 election
During his presidency, Donald Trump has earned the nickname "golfer-in-chief" due to the amount of time he has spent golfing. Trump has been playing golf since college and has been criticised for spending a significant amount of time on the golf course during his presidency.
In 2020, Trump was in his first term as president and was seeking re-election. While the exact number of days Trump spent golfing in 2020 is unclear, it is known that he golfed with key political figures, such as CIA Director John Ratcliffe and several GOP senators, in the lead-up to the Fourth of July holiday. Trump's golfing trips often included visits to his own golf clubs, such as the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Trump International Golf Club, also in Bedminster.
Trump's golfing trips have been a source of controversy, with critics accusing him of being out of touch and prioritising golf over his responsibilities as president. In one instance, Trump was criticised for golfing while the death toll from flash floods in Texas rose to 70, including 15 children. Trump's response to the disaster was slammed as disrespectful, with online critics accusing him of caring more about golfing than the victims.
Trump's golfing trips have also drawn attention for reasons beyond politics. In June 2025, the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, failed a health inspection. The club's general manager, David Schutzenhofer, called the inspection "a politically motivated attack" and defended the club's standards of cleanliness and safety. However, health officials found issues such as sliced lemons at room temperature, expired milk, and a lack of soap in the sink.
While Trump's golfing habits have been a source of controversy, it is worth noting that he is not the only president to face criticism for his hobbies and leisure activities.
Who's Leading the Pack in the PGA?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$134.99 $149.99
Eisenhower's golf habit
Golf has been a popular sport among US presidents, with many of them being criticised for the amount of time they spent on the golf course. One president who stood out for his love of the game was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who is thought to have played around 800 rounds of golf during his time in office, including on the White House lawn. Eisenhower's vice president, Richard Nixon, defended his boss's golfing habit, saying that if Eisenhower spent as much time playing golf as Truman spent playing poker, then he would be able to beat Ben Hogan.
Eisenhower's golfing habit started when he was a student at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The golf course on the fort was new and inexpensive, and Eisenhower finished top of his class, suggesting that the hobby provided him with needed relaxation. He continued to play golf during his military career, particularly during his time in the Philippines from 1935 to 1939 while serving under General MacArthur, the Military Advisor to the Philippine Commonwealth.
During his presidency, Eisenhower played at many top courses across the country. The closest course to the White House was the Burning Tree Club in Bethesda, Maryland, which he visited frequently. He also played at the Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia (where the Eisenhowers had a cottage), and the Gettysburg Country Club, close to his retirement home. He is estimated to have played the Augusta National Golf Club course nearly 200 times.
Eisenhower's golfing habit was well-known enough that it was referenced by the candidates in the 2024 presidential debate between Trump and Biden. Eisenhower is one of only two presidents to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, alongside George H.W. Bush. It is estimated that he played over 1,000 rounds of golf during his two terms as president, with 51 rounds in 1953 and 93 in 1954, a midterm election year.
Understanding Golf Skins: How This Scoring System Works
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Obama's golf trips
Barack Obama is known for his love of golf. During his eight years in office, he played approximately 333 rounds of golf, according to Golf Digest. This averages out to about 41 rounds per year or just under once a week.
Obama himself, however, did not see golf as a negative. Instead, he used it as a way to unwind after stressful workweeks and to build relationships with foreign leaders. His love for the game made him feel comfortable on any course around the world, making it easy for him to play while traveling abroad.
In comparison to other presidents, Obama's golf habits seem moderate. While Obama played approximately 333 rounds in eight years, President Trump played an estimated 300 rounds in four years, averaging about 75 rounds per year or twice a week. Trump's golfing trips have also been more expensive for taxpayers, costing an estimated $142 million, with trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One accounting for $59 million.
Golfing: A Sport for Everyone?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Taxpayer expense of presidential golf
Since his inauguration, US President Donald Trump has made several trips to his golf courses, which have reportedly cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Trump has been criticised for the amount of time he spends golfing, with some alleging that these frequent visits boost publicity for his golf business.
Trump has visited his own golf courses numerous times during his presidency. According to Crew, a watchdog group, Trump visited his golf courses 328 times during his first term. TrumpGolfCount.com, a website tracking Trump's golfing activities, estimates he has made 285 daytime visits to golf clubs and played on at least 142 occasions as of November 2020. CNN reported that Trump visited Trump-owned golf courses 92 times between his inauguration in January 2017 and January 3, 2018.
The cost of these golf trips to taxpayers is substantial. Trump's trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One are estimated to have cost $59 million. The Secret Service's accommodation and bills for Coast Guard protection at Trump's Florida property also add to the expense. The Secret Service has paid nearly $2 million to Trump-owned properties, and the cost of protecting Trump during his visits to Palm Beach is estimated at $240,000 per day. The total cost of Trump's golf trips is estimated at $142 million so far.
Trump's golf trips have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and self-enrichment. Critics have pointed out that Trump criticised his predecessor, Barack Obama, for golfing while in office, yet Trump has spent significantly more time on the golf course. Additionally, Trump has been accused of overcharging the Secret Service to stay at his properties and benefiting directly from taxpayer funds as his businesses charge the Secret Service for accommodation.
In conclusion, President Trump's frequent golf trips have incurred significant costs to taxpayers, with expenses including transportation, Secret Service protection, and accommodation. These trips have also raised ethical concerns about conflicts of interest and self-enrichment. The total cost of Trump's golf outings during his presidency is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
Golf Tees: Do They Make a Difference?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Golf as a political tool
Golf has been a popular pastime for many US presidents, with some even using it as a political tool. Former president Donald Trump, for instance, has been criticised for the amount of time he spent golfing during his presidency. He visited a Trump Organization golf property on 428 out of 1,461 days of his first term in office and is estimated to have played 261 rounds of golf, once every 5.6 days. This frequent golfing has been seen by some as a way to boost publicity for his golf courses and sell more memberships.
Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, also faced criticism for his golfing habits, with Trump himself frequently condemning Obama for playing too much golf during his presidency. Obama played 306 rounds of golf over his two terms, averaging a round every 12-13 days.
Golf has also been used as a form of informal diplomacy, where it can serve as an icebreaker before more formal meetings. It can provide an opportunity to build relationships and create a more relaxed atmosphere, potentially helping to foster political alliances or agreements.
However, the use of golf as a political tool can be controversial. Presidents have been criticised for the amount of time and taxpayer money spent on golfing trips, with some arguing that it amounts to a dereliction of duty. There are also potential conflicts of interest when presidents own golf courses or have financial stakes in golf-related businesses, as was the case with Trump.
In recent times, golf's influence in politics may be waning, with younger leaders preferring other activities like karaoke to distance themselves from the elite cultural practices associated with golf. Nonetheless, golf remains a common hobby for politicians and businessmen, and it continues to provide an opportunity to build relationships outside of formal political settings.
Golf Lag: How to Master the Art of Control
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
President Joe Biden played golf once in his first 100 days in office. He played at the Wilmington Country Club in Delaware on April 17, 2021.
Former President Donald Trump went to the golf course 19 times in his first 100 days in office. Trump played golf frequently, totaling over 300 rounds in his four years in office. TrumpGolfCount.com estimates that he played at least 142 rounds of golf as of November 8, 2020.
Biden's predecessor, Trump, played much more golf than he did. Biden ranks far below Trump in the amount of time spent on a golf course.
Yes, the rumor that Biden spent nearly half of his presidency on vacation was an exaggeration. The Associated Press and Snopes have debunked this claim, which originated from a Republican National Committee analysis.
