Miles Bennett
Barack Obama's golf habit was a source of criticism during his presidency, with his successor Donald Trump repeatedly attacking him for it. Obama played 98 rounds of golf during his first term, or 105 according to another source, and 333 rounds during his entire eight-year tenure. This equates to about once every 8.8 days. Obama's golfing trips were far less costly to taxpayers than Trump's, who has spent far more time at golf clubs than Obama did during his presidency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times Obama golfed in his first term | 98 or 113 times |
| Number of times Obama golfed in his first 100 days in office | Once |
| Total number of times Obama golfed during his presidency | 333 times |
| Total number of hours Obama spent golfing during his presidency | 1,665 hours |
| Percentage of time spent golfing during his presidency | 3% |
| Number of times Trump golfed in his first 100 days in office | 310 times |
| Number of times Trump golfed during his presidency | 70, 142, 285, 350, or 500+ times |
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What You'll Learn
Obama played 98 rounds of golf in his first term
Barack Obama played 98 rounds of golf during his first term as president, according to data provided to CNN by Mark Knoller, a CBS News White House correspondent. This averages out to about once every 8.8 days.
Obama faced criticism from some quarters for his frequent golfing, including from Donald Trump, who would go on to become president himself. Trump criticised Obama for golfing while in office, claiming that he would not play if he got elected. However, Trump has spent far more time at golf clubs than Obama did through the same point in their respective terms. Trump's trips to golf clubs have also incurred far greater costs, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in Secret Service charges alone.
Obama's golfing partners usually included current and former White House aides, as well as sports figures and politicians. He rarely played with women, with only three occasions on record where he golfed with female White House staff. Obama also preferred to keep his golf games quiet and off the record, declining to play with journalists or wealthy contributors.
Obama's golfing habits shifted over time, with a decrease in frequency after 2011. This was possibly due to the administration's awareness of appearing disengaged during a period of economic crisis. By November 2013, Obama had transitioned to playing golf instead of basketball, citing the lower risk of injury associated with the former.
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Trump criticised Obama for golfing
During his presidency from 2009 to 2017, Barack Obama played a total of 333 rounds of golf, according to some sources. This included 113 rounds during his first term. Obama's golfing habits attracted criticism, particularly from Donald Trump, who chastised him for playing too often. Trump claimed that Obama golfed during times of tragedy and disaster from 2011 to 2016.
However, Trump's own golfing habits have come under scrutiny. Despite criticising Obama, Trump reportedly played more golf in his first 100 days in office than Obama did throughout his two terms. By the end of May 2018, Trump had spent 266 days at his golf properties, while Obama had played 98 rounds of golf up to that point. TrumpGolfCount.com estimates that Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers $142 million, with trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One accounting for $59 million.
Trump's criticism of Obama for golfing during times of tragedy and disaster has been called into question, given Trump's own golfing habits during his presidency. While it is challenging to make a direct comparison due to differing data on the number of rounds played, both presidents have been noted for their enthusiasm for the sport.
Obama's golfing frequency increased during his second term, averaging about one round every 8.8 days. Obama's passion for golf led to questions about the golfing habits of other presidents, especially Trump, and sparked discussions on the role of downtime for sitting presidents. Ultimately, the golfing habits of both Obama and Trump during their respective terms have been a topic of significant interest and debate.
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Obama's golfing partners
Barack Obama's golf obsession is well-known, and he has been criticised for golfing during times of crisis. However, it is clear that Trump has spent more time golfing than Obama did during his first term. Obama played 98 rounds of golf during his first term, or 333 rounds during his eight years as president (once every 8.77 days).
Obama's staff, including Dan Shomon, also played with him. Shomon recalled that Obama was eager to play, especially when the weather was nice. Obama's frequent playing partner, Illinois state senator James Clayborne Jr., noted that Obama was aggressively competitive and did not like losing.
Obama's golfing trips, particularly during his presidency, have drawn some criticism. Some questioned the frequency of his outings and whether they were an appropriate use of his time. However, others have defended it as a normal leisure activity.
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Obama's most frequent golf courses
Barack Obama played around 300 rounds of golf during his two terms as president, using the sport as a way to unwind after stressful work or build relationships with foreign leaders. Obama's golfing habits have been a frequent target of criticism from Donald Trump, who accused the media of failing to talk about "all of the time Obama spent on the golf course".
- Cypress Point Club
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
- East Potomac Park Golf Course
Obama also played golf at Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, where he faced criticism for golfing minutes after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley. During his first term, Obama also made three vacation trips to Hawaii, his birth state, for a total of 29,978 miles in the air.
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Cost of Obama's golf trips
During his first term as president, Barack Obama played golf 113 times. This averages out to about one round every 8.77 days. In total, Obama is estimated to have played 333 rounds of golf during his eight years in office, accounting for about 3% of his time in office.
While the exact cost of Obama's golf trips is unknown, it is estimated that his personal and largely personal travel during his two terms cost US taxpayers $85 million, with some estimates placing the figure at $118 million. This includes the cost of Secret Service protection, accommodation, and Air Force One trips, which are expensive for American taxpayers.
In comparison, President Trump has been criticized for spending even more time on the golf course and for the high cost of his golfing trips. TrumpGolfCount.com estimates that his golfing trips have cost taxpayers $142 million, with trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One accounting for $59 million. Each visit to and from Palm Beach International Airport costs taxpayers about $1 million in travel expenses, and federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term.
Despite Trump's criticism of Obama's golf habits during his campaign, it is evident that both presidents' golfing trips have incurred significant expenses.
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Frequently asked questions
Obama played 98 rounds of golf during his first term.
Yes, it is clear that Trump has spent more time golfing than Obama did during their first terms.
Obama played 333 rounds of golf during his eight years as president, which equates to once every 8.77 days.
Yes, Obama was criticised by Trump for golfing during his presidency. Obama also received criticism from the media for golfing minutes after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley.
