Nina Caldwell
Golf has been a popular sport among US presidents since it became popular in the early 1900s. Some presidents have been avid golfers, such as Dwight Eisenhower, who played more than 800 rounds during his presidency, and Woodrow Wilson, who played at least 1,000 rounds while in office. Other golfing presidents include Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Nixon. While some presidents have used golf as an opportunity to relax and engage in political dialogue, others have faced criticism for the amount of time and money spent on the sport while in office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presidents who played golf | William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Warren Harding, Lyndon B. Johnson, George W. Bush |
| Presidents who didn't play golf | Coolidge |
| Presidents who played golf while in office | William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush |
| Presidents who played the most rounds of golf while in office | Woodrow Wilson (1,000–1,600 rounds), Dwight Eisenhower (800 rounds) |
| Presidents who played golf with world leaders | Donald Trump (Shinzo Abe), Barack Obama (Tiger Woods) |
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What You'll Learn
Presidents who golf while in office
Golf and the U.S. presidency generally go hand in hand. There is a long tradition of U.S. presidents enjoying the sport. One of the most ardent golfers to hold office was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who played on the White House lawn, racking up an estimated 800 rounds during his eight years in office. He even had a putting green installed.
Richard Nixon learned the game while serving as Eisenhower's vice president. He played between 800 and 900 rounds during his presidency and was a good player, once breaking 80. He was a keen advocate of "Golf Ball Diplomacy", using the game to strengthen ties with Japan. After his presidency, he built a three-hole course at his home in California.
John F. Kennedy was also a keen golfer, though he avoided the game during his time in office to avoid being seen as a rich man. He was a talented player, and before he became president, nearly aced the 16th hole at Cypress Point.
Barack Obama played about 333 rounds during his eight years as president. He was known for playing in Florida, often with Tiger Woods. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, gave up the game during his first term when the Iraq War began.
Donald Trump is also a keen golfer, and it is estimated that he played between 285 and 308 rounds during his first term in office. He has been criticised for the amount of time he spends on the golf course, and his golfing trips are estimated to have cost taxpayers $142 million.
Joe Biden is also a lover of the game, though it is unclear how much he has played during his presidency.
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Presidents who golfed before they took office
Golf has been a common hobby for many US presidents, with some even calling it an addiction. While some presidents took up the sport during their time in office, others were avid golfers long before they took office. Here are some US presidents who were known to enjoy a round of golf before becoming president:
William Howard Taft (1909-1913) was the first US president to openly admit to playing golf. Despite criticism from some who viewed golf as a "rich man's game", Taft frequently played the sport and even garnered detractors during his 1908 presidential campaign.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) was a passionate golfer from a young age. He first picked up a golf club at the age of 12 and went on to become the club champion at the Campobello Island Golf Club in New Brunswick, Canada. Unfortunately, he had to give up the game after contracting polio at the age of 39.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961), also known as "Ike," was a dedicated golfer. He was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and had a putting green installed on the White House grounds during his presidency. Eisenhower is estimated to have played more than 800 rounds of golf during his time in office.
John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), or "JFK," was another president who enjoyed golf before and during his time in office. He was astonished to see the golf spike marks left by Eisenhower on the Oval Office floor.
Richard Nixon (1969-1974) was a golfer before becoming president and continued to play during his presidency. He is estimated to have played between 800 and 900 rounds in office and was a proponent of ""Golf Ball Diplomacy," using the sport to strengthen ties with Japan.
George H.W. Bush grew up in an environment where golf was easily accessible. He played golf before becoming president and was known for his fast playing style, completing 18-hole courses in under two hours.
Bill Clinton was a golf enthusiast who played the sport before and during his presidency. He was known for his unique approach to the game, often taking extra shots and not being too concerned with the rules, leading to the term "Billigans."
These presidents, among others, have contributed to the long tradition of US presidents who share a love for the game of golf.
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Presidents who golf with celebrities
Golf has long been a favourite pastime of US presidents, with some even bringing it to the White House lawn. While some presidents have used the sport as a way to relax, others have leveraged it to conduct business and forge political relationships.
One of the earliest presidents to embrace the game was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. Despite facing criticism for playing a "rich man's game", Taft's love for golf was well-known. Following Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy were also avid golfers. Eisenhower even had a putting green installed at the White House and played over 800 rounds during his presidency.
More recently, Barack Obama and Donald Trump have been known for their shared passion for golf. Obama, who played 105 rounds during his presidency, continued to play even after leaving office. Trump, on the other hand, owned several golf courses and frequently made trips to these properties during his term, often mixing business with pleasure.
When it comes to golfing with celebrities, Trump has hosted several celebrity tournaments on his courses, including A-list participants such as Serena Williams and Tom Brady. Trump has also golfed with actor Samuel L. Jackson, and boxer Oscar de la Hoya.
Prior to Trump, President Nixon played golf with celebrities such as Jackie Gleason, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, and Fred MacMurray. President Reagan, who enjoyed playing with celebrities like Walter Annenberg and Warren Buffett, faced a challenging situation in October 1983 when he had to plan an invasion to liberate Grenada while on a golf trip.
In conclusion, while many US presidents have enjoyed golfing, some have taken it a step further by sharing the course with celebrities, blending leisure, business, and politics in unique ways.
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Presidents who golfed at their own golf clubs
Golf is a sport that has historically been enjoyed by US presidents, with some sources claiming that there is a long tradition of the sport being enjoyed by the country's leaders. One of the first presidents to take up the sport was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. His love for the game was so well-known that it garnered him detractors during his 1908 presidential campaign for playing a "rich man's game".
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, was an avid golfer and is known for bringing the game to the White House lawn, where he played an estimated 800 rounds during his eight years in office. Eisenhower was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and famously had a putting green installed on the White House grounds.
Another president who golfed at his own golf club was Donald Trump, who owned several golf courses in the United States and abroad. Trump has been criticised for the amount of time he spent golfing during his presidency, with some sources claiming that he had accumulated 285 daytime visits to golf clubs and played on at least 142 occasions as of November 8, 2020. Trump's golfing trips have also attracted scrutiny for their financial cost to taxpayers, with estimates placing the total cost at $142 million.
While not a golf club owner, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was also a passionate golfer. He was the club champion at Campobello Island Golf Club in New Brunswick, Canada, and often played with other politicians in Washington. Unfortunately, he had to give up the game after contracting polio at the age of 39. Despite this, Roosevelt left a legacy in the sport by investing in the construction of dozens of municipal golf courses across the country.
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Presidents who golfed with world leaders
Golf has long been a popular pastime among US presidents, with the sport serving as a way to relax, connect with others, and even engage in important conversations. One of the first presidents to take up the game was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913 and loved the game so much that it garnered him detractors during his 1908 presidential campaign for playing a "rich man's game.".
Since then, many US presidents have been avid golfers, with some even using the game as a strategic political tool. For instance, presidents like Dwight Eisenhower often played golf with key politicians to discuss policy in a relaxed setting, fostering more open dialogue and collaboration. John F. Kennedy, who had one of the best golf swings of any president, also used golf to connect with fellow politicians and maintain relationships.
Another president who frequently golfed with world leaders was Donald Trump. Trump, a lifelong golfer and owner of multiple golf resorts worldwide, played more rounds than most modern presidents. He often used his courses, including Trump National Doral and Trump Bedminster, for meetings with business and political leaders. During his presidency, he played rounds with world leaders such as former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Barack Obama was also a well-known lover of the game and used golf to build relationships with members of Congress. While it is unclear if he golfed with world leaders, he did invite Rory McIlroy, who was ranked No.1 in the world at the time, to a White House dinner in 2012.
Other golfing presidents include George W. Bush, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan, though it is unclear if they played with world leaders during their time in office.
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Frequently asked questions
Many US presidents have played golf, including William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Ronald Reagan.
While many presidents enjoyed the game, Dwight Eisenhower is considered to have been the most enthusiastic golfer in the White House. He played more than 800 rounds during his eight years in office, bringing the game to the White House lawn.
Yes, Ronald Reagan largely stopped playing golf after an October 1983 weekend where he had to deal with a communist coup in Grenada and a terrorist attack on the Marine headquarters in Beirut that killed 241 US personnel. Reagan decided to curtail his golf, saying, "Playing golf is not worth the chance that someone could get killed."
Yes, several presidents have been criticised for playing golf while in office. For example, TrumpGolfCount.com has been tracking Trump's golfing activities, and it is estimated that his golfing trips have cost taxpayers $142 million. Barack Obama has also been criticised for his golf habit, and websites have been devoted to counting the number of rounds he has played.
