Miles Bennett
Since golf became popular in the early 1900s, most US presidents have played the game, with varying levels of enthusiasm. The cultural link between golf and the presidency was established during Dwight Eisenhower's presidency from 1953 to 1961, when he played around 800 to 900 rounds, including some on the White House lawn. Eisenhower was preceded by William Howard Taft, who was the first president to golf while in office and the first to speak openly about his love for the game. Since then, many US presidents have been avid golfers, including John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and George W. Bush, whose father and grandfather were presidents of the United States Golf Association.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presidents who loved golf | William Howard Taft, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Jimmy Carter, Harry Truman, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Nixon, Harding, LBJ, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt |
| Presidents who didn't play golf | Reagan, Coolidge |
| Presidents who played but weren't enthusiastic | Bush |
| Presidents who played golf during their presidency | Barack Obama played 105 rounds, Donald Trump played 285-308 rounds in his first term, George W. Bush played 24 rounds |
| Presidents with the lowest golf handicaps | John F. Kennedy, Donald Trump, William Howard Taft |
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What You'll Learn
Presidents who played the most golf
Since golf became popular in the early 1900s, most US presidents have played the game, with varying levels of enthusiasm. Only a handful of presidents have not played golf, with Jimmy Carter, Harry Truman, and Herbert Hoover being the only three out of the last 20 presidents who didn't take to the golf course.
Woodrow Wilson, who served during World War I, is known as one of the most avid golfing presidents, playing a staggering 1200 rounds of golf during his eight-year term, averaging several times per week. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who installed the first putting green at the White House, is also believed to have played around 800 to 900 rounds during his two terms in office. Eisenhower was reportedly a good golfer and was criticised by his opponents for his love of the game, earning him the nickname "Duffer in Chief".
Other golfing presidents include William Howard Taft, who was the first president to openly admit to playing golf, despite criticism for playing a "rich man's game". Franklin D. Roosevelt was also a keen golfer before he contracted polio, winning the Campobello Golf Club championship at the age of 22. More recently, Barack Obama played around 330 rounds over his two terms, and Donald Trump played 285 rounds, although he also owns several golf courses worldwide. George W. Bush was also an avid golfer until the demands of the Iraq War took precedence.
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Presidents who played despite criticism
Since the game of golf became popular in the early 1900s, most presidents have played, with varying levels of enthusiasm. In fact, 17 of the last 20 presidents actively played golf. However, some presidents have faced criticism for their golfing habits, with the sport being seen as a pastime for the wealthy elite. Here are some examples of presidents who played golf despite criticism:
- Barack Obama played a total of 333 rounds of golf during his eight years in office, averaging about once every nine days. Obama was known to enjoy the game and played with friends, aides, and foreign leaders. He faced criticism from some who felt he played too much golf, but he argued that he needed to stay active and that golf allowed him to conduct business. Obama also had a golf simulator installed in the White House and invited professional golfer Rory McIlroy to a White House dinner.
- Donald Trump is a well-known golf enthusiast and has played the sport for decades. He has been criticized for the cost of his trips to golf resorts and for spending too much time on the golf course instead of attending to presidential duties. Trump even criticized Obama during his campaign, saying he would not have time to play golf if elected. However, once in office, Trump surpassed Obama's record for playing golf. Trump owns or operates 17 golf courses worldwide and has been praised by Tiger Woods for his golfing ability.
- Dwight Eisenhower was an incredibly active golfer, playing between 800 and 900 rounds during his two terms. He was criticized by political opponents and newspapers for his frequent golfing, and they derisively called him the "Duffer in Chief." Eisenhower, however, continued to play and even had a cabin at Augusta National Golf Course named in his honour.
- William Howard Taft was one of the first presidents to take up golf, serving from 1909 to 1913. He loved the game so much that it garnered criticism during his 1908 presidential campaign for playing a "rich man's game." Despite the detractors, Taft helped bring golf into the public eye, as it was previously seen as a sport for the upper crust.
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Presidents who played golf with celebrities
Since the game of golf became popular in the early 1900s, most presidents have played, with varying levels of enthusiasm. One of the first presidents to take up the sport was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. He loved golf, but it garnered him criticism during his 1908 presidential campaign for being a "rich man's game".
Several presidents have used golf as a means of relaxation and diplomacy, engaging in important conversations with political allies and world leaders. Dwight D. Eisenhower was one of the most avid golfers to occupy the White House, playing between 800 and 900 rounds during his presidency, including some on the lawn outside the White House. Eisenhower played so frequently that he was criticised by political opponents and newspapers. He was a regular at Augusta National Golf Club, where he had a cabin named in his honour.
John F. Kennedy was a skilled golfer with one of the best swings of any president, despite chronic back pain. He often played discreetly and was a fast-paced golfer. Kennedy's smooth, athletic swing is still admired by golf historians today.
Donald Trump is also a keen golfer, playing more rounds than most modern presidents. During his first term, he spent almost 307 days playing golf. He has played rounds with several celebrities, including former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and boxer Oscar de la Hoya. Trump owns or operates 17 golf courses, including four resorts: Turnberry and Trump International in Scotland, Doonbeg in Ireland, and Trump Doral in Florida.
Barack Obama is well-known for his love of golf, often playing left-handed. He has been criticised for playing too much during his time in office, and even had a golf simulator installed in the White House. Obama has played golf with celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who he invited to a White House dinner in 2012 when McIlroy was ranked No.1 in the world.
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Presidents who played golf for political negotiations
Since the game of golf became popular in the early 1900s, most presidents have played, with some even using the sport as a means to relax and engage in political negotiations.
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, is known for his golf rounds with other politicians in Washington. Despite his lack of skill, he often used golf as a tool for political negotiations. It is said that Johnson secured the votes he needed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the golf course.
Another president who played golf for political negotiations was Dwight Eisenhower, arguably one of the most ardent golfers to hold office. He played an estimated 800 to 900 rounds during his two terms, including some on the lawn outside the White House. Eisenhower's passion for golf was so strong that he had a putting green installed on the White House grounds.
While serving as vice-president to Eisenhower, Richard Nixon took up golf and became a solid player.
Other notable golfing presidents include William Howard Taft, who was the first president to publicly enjoy the sport; Woodrow Wilson, who played more than 1,000 rounds during his two terms; Warren G. Harding, who played twice a week despite his limited ability; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was a regular golfer before contracting polio. More recently, Barack Obama and Donald Trump have continued the tradition of golfing presidents, although both have received criticism from their respective opponents for their frequent rounds.
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Presidents who played golf abroad
Since the game of golf became popular in the early 1900s, most presidents have played, with varying levels of enthusiasm. While some have been avid golfers, for others, it was simply a way to spend their leisure time or engage in political negotiations.
One of the first presidents to take up the sport was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913. He loved golf, but it was also a source of criticism during his 1908 presidential campaign, as it was seen as a "rich man's game". Despite this, he helped to normalise the sport, which had previously been associated with the upper crust, and many presidents followed in his footsteps.
Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama are all presidents who have been known to enjoy a round of golf. Eisenhower, in particular, was a very enthusiastic golfer, playing between 800 and 900 rounds during his two terms, including some on the lawn outside the White House. He had a cabin at Augusta National Golf Course named in his honour and was a member of the club, where he was often a guest. Kennedy, despite chronic back pain, also had one of the best golf swings of any president. Harding, the 29th president, was also a golfer, although he had a limited ability. He did, however, have a golf course named after him—TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Other golfing presidents include the Bush family, with Bush Sr. being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. His son, George W. Bush, was also an avid golfer until the demands of the Iraq War put his hobby on hold. Bill Clinton was also a golfer, known for his "mulligan-friendly" approach, taking up to 100 extra shots per round.
Some presidents have even taken their golf clubs abroad. For example, Trump played with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Obama played with actor Samuel L. Jackson and boxer Oscar de la Hoya.
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Frequently asked questions
Since golf became popular in the early 1900s, most presidents have played, with varying levels of enthusiasm. Only three presidents—Herbert Hoover, Jimmy Carter, and Harry Truman—are known to have disliked the game.
While several US presidents have been enthusiastic golfers, Woodrow Wilson is believed to have played the most games, with over 1,000 rounds during his eight-year presidency.
John F. Kennedy is often regarded as the most skilled golfer among US presidents, but some believe that Donald Trump may be a better player.
Recent US presidents who have been avid golfers include Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
