
George H.W. Bush was an avid golfer and a strong advocate for the sport. Golf was a significant part of his life, with his grandfather and father both serving as presidents of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and his father impressing upon him the importance of playing at a fast pace. Bush himself became an enthusiastic golfer, playing with other luminaries such as Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Arnold Palmer. He was the first honorary chairman of The First Tee, received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Bush's love for golf and his efforts to support and grow the sport have left a lasting legacy in the golfing world. His son, George W. Bush, also recently made golfing news by scoring his first hole-in-one at the Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | George H.W. Bush |
| Presidency | 1989-1993 |
| Golfer grandfather | George Herbert Walker |
| Grandfather's role | President of the US Golf Association |
| Father | Prescott Bush |
| Father's role | USGA president, scratch golfer |
| Golf style | "Ready golf", "aerobic golf" |
| Notable golf moments | Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1995, Houston Open |
| Golf accolades | PGA of America Distinguished Service Award (1997), Bob Jones Award (2008), PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), World Golf Hall of Fame inductee (2011) |
| Golf initiatives | Honorary chairman of The First Tee (1997) |
| Golf partners | Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, Dan Jenkins, Fred Couples |
| Son | George W. Bush |
| Son's golf highlights | First hole-in-one at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas |
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What You'll Learn

George H.W. Bush's family golf history
Golf has been a significant part of the Bush family's life for over a century. George H.W. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was the most notable golfer in the family. Walker was a single-digit handicapper and served as the president of the USGA in 1920. He conceptualized donating a trophy to an international amateur competition, which led to the first Walker Cup Match in 1922.
Bush's father, Prescott, was also a skilled golfer and a one-time USGA president in 1935. Prescott won eight club championships at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine, where the family's compound is located. Bush's mother was also a good golfer.
Bush himself was an avid golfer and a strong advocate for the game. Although he didn't start playing until high school, he went on to become the honorary chairman of the 1996 Presidents Cup and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. He was also the first honorary chairman of The First Tee.
Bush cherished the game, saying, "Golf has meant a lot to me. It means friendship, integrity, and character." He often played golf with his sons, describing those moments as "very special." George H.W. Bush's love for golf extended beyond his family, as he was friends with former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent and golfer Arnold Palmer.
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Bush's golf partners
George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, was an avid golfer. He was introduced to the game by his father, Prescott Bush, who was a scratch golfer and former USGA president. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was also a golfer and former president of the USGA. Bush's mother was also a golfer.
Bush often played golf with his father, who was a friend and golf partner of President Dwight Eisenhower. In a Golf Channel interview, Bush recalled the insight he gained into the presidency through his father's stories of playing golf with Eisenhower.
Bush's love for golf continued throughout his life, and he was known to play with his four sons—Jeb, Neil, Marvin, and George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States. The father-son duo even made a joint appearance at a World Series game, driving in together in a golf cart.
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Bush's golf awards
Golf was a significant part of President George H.W. Bush's life, and he received several awards for his passion and dedication to the sport. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was a single-digit handicapper and president of the USGA in 1920. Walker donated a trophy to an international competition for amateurs, which became the Walker Cup in 1922. Bush's father, Prescott, was also a skilled golfer and a one-time USGA president in 1935. He won eight club championships at the Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Bush himself was an avid golfer and served as the first honorary chairman of The First Tee initiative in 1997. He was also the honorary chairman of the 1996 Presidents Cup and made numerous appearances at international golf events. Bush was named Ambassador of Golf by Northern Ohio Golf Charities in 1994 and received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award in 1997. In 2008, he was awarded the USGA's highest honour, the Bob Jones Award, and in 2009, he received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award. Bush was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and received the American Society of Golf Course Architects' Donald Ross Award in 2018.
Bush's love for golf was well-known, and he was often seen playing with other notable golfers and politicians, including Dwight Eisenhower. He was a strong advocate for the sport and supported initiatives to grow the game, particularly among youngsters. Bush's contributions to golf were widely recognised, and he left a lasting impact on the sport, with the golf community expressing deep appreciation for his support and dedication.
- "Golf has meant a lot to me. It means friendship, integrity and character."
- "I grew up in a family that was lucky enough to have golf at the heart of it for a while. My father was a scratch player, and my mother also was a good golfer. It's a very special game."
- "I never felt driven by my family’s golf heritage."
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Bush's golf pace
George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, was a passionate golfer. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was the most accomplished golfer in the family, serving as president of the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1920. Bush's father, Prescott, was also a talented golfer and a USGA president in 1935. Bush himself learned to play golf at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine, and often played with other notable figures, including Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Arnold Palmer.
Bush's golfing style was characterised by his focus on playing at a fast pace, a value instilled in him by his father, who emphasised the importance of not inconveniencing other players with slow play. This style, which Bush referred to as "aerobic golf," led to him reportedly holding the course record at Cape Arundel, completing a round in approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Bush's commitment to playing quickly did not detract from his skill, as he won the club championship at Cape Arundel in 1947.
Bush's love for golf extended beyond the course, as he actively supported and promoted the sport throughout his life. He served as the honorary chairman of The First Tee, a golf development organisation, and played a significant role in various golf initiatives, including organising tournaments for tsunami relief alongside former President Bill Clinton. Bush's advocacy for golf was recognised by the golf community, with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan acknowledging his contribution to the sport.
Bush's son, George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, also developed an interest in golf. He achieved his first hole-in-one at the Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas in 2019. The Bush family's golfing legacy is deeply rooted, with multiple generations displaying a passion for the sport and making significant contributions to its development and promotion.
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Bush's golf courses
Golf was a significant part of President George H.W. Bush's life, and he played on many prestigious courses throughout his lifetime. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was a former president of the United States Golf Association (USGA) and a keen golfer. Bush's father, Prescott Bush, was also a USGA president and a talented golfer, winning eight club championships at Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Bush learned to play golf at Cape Arundel, and it was here that he played some of his most enjoyable rounds, often with other notable figures such as Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Arnold Palmer. Bush also took part in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in 1995, playing alongside Clinton, former president Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, and Scott Hoch.
Bush's love of golf continued throughout his life, and he supported numerous golf initiatives during and after his presidency. He was the first honorary chairman of The First Tee, received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Bush was also a regular attendee at the Presidents Cup and made appearances at international golf events.
Bush's son, George W. Bush, has also played on several notable golf courses. He threw the ceremonial first pitch at a World Series game in 2010, driving onto the field in a golf cart alongside his father. More recently, in 2023, George W. Bush achieved his first hole-in-one at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
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Frequently asked questions
George H.W. Bush golfed often and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also the first honorary chairman of The First Tee and received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Bush's grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was the most accomplished golfer in the family.
George H.W. Bush continued to golf after he became president. He was the honorary chairman of the 1996 Presidents Cup and made numerous appearances at international golf events. He also worked with former President Bill Clinton to organize golf tournaments for tsunami relief.
Yes, George H.W. Bush played golf with former president Gerald Ford and sitting president Bill Clinton in the 1995 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He also played golf with his father, Prescott Bush, who was a USGA president and a scratch golfer.
Yes, George W. Bush is an avid golfer like his father. He threw the ceremonial first pitch at a World Series game in 2010 and drove onto the field in a golf cart. He also got his first hole-in-one at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas in 2023.











































