Jackson Reid
Former US President Donald Trump's love for golf is well-known. He has been criticised for spending too much time on the golf course instead of focusing on his presidential duties. While the exact number of times he has golfed is unverified, some estimates suggest that he has golfed over 300 times during his presidency. Trump's golfing trips have also been a contentious issue due to the associated costs, with critics arguing that taxpayers should not have to bear the expenses for his recreational activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of golfing during presidency | 298 times by August 2020; 332 times by April 5, 2025; 261 times during his first term; 27 times by late May 2025 |
| Cost to taxpayers | Estimated at $151.5 million over four years; $26 million for his second term alone |
| Golf courses owned | 17 in the US |
| Countries with Trump-branded golf courses | US, UAE |
| Number of golf courses in the UAE | 2 |
| Countries where Trump has played golf with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe | US, Japan |
| Number of times Trump has played golf with members of Congress | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
Golf's impact on Trump's diplomacy
Golf has been a significant part of Donald Trump's presidency, with the former president known for his deep love of the sport and frequent visits to his own golf courses. This has led to criticism from those who believe he should be dedicating more time to his presidential duties. However, Trump's defenders argue that his time on the golf course has helped him develop deeper and better relationships with members of Congress, thereby advancing his agenda.
Trump's golfing habits have had a tangible impact on American diplomacy. Notably, Trump played golf five times with Shinzō Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan, fostering a close personal relationship between the two leaders. Similarly, after Trump's victory in the 2024 United States presidential election, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, reportedly took up golf again to benefit his country during Trump's second term.
Trump's golfing has also led to legal and ethical concerns. In 2017, he invited Prime Minister Abe to play at his golf club in Florida and stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the legality of foreign payments received by Trump's businesses. While Trump vowed to donate any such payments to the Treasury Department, the specifics of this arrangement remain unclear.
The frequency of Trump's golfing has been a subject of scrutiny, with various sources providing differing accounts. While some estimates suggest he played 298 times by August 2020, a report from the Government Accountability Office found that he had actually played 115 times in 2019, significantly more than the 81 times officially reported. The cost of Trump's golfing trips, often to his own properties, has also been a contentious issue, with critics arguing that taxpayers should not bear the expenses for the President's recreational activities.
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Criticisms of Trump's golfing
Golf has been a significant part of Donald Trump's presidency, with some estimating that he has spent over 300 days playing golf during his first term. This has been a source of criticism, with people arguing that he should be dedicating more time to his presidential duties.
One of the main criticisms of Trump's golfing is the lack of transparency surrounding it. There is a lack of information about who he plays with, the costs to taxpayers, and potential conflicts of interest. For instance, in 2017, Trump invited the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, to play golf at his Florida golf club and stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort, raising legal and ethical concerns about foreign payments.
Trump's frequent golfing trips to his own properties, such as Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, have also been criticised for their cost to taxpayers. The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch estimated Trump's golfing trips had cost taxpayers $151.5 million over four years, significantly more than Obama's trips, which cost around $114 million over eight years. Reports indicate that taxpayers have incurred substantial expenses related to Trump's golfing, with estimates exceeding $26 million for his second term alone.
Trump's golfing has also been criticised for his apparent hypocrisy, as he frequently criticised Obama for golfing during his presidency. By August 2020, Trump had played golf 298 times during his first term, compared to Obama's 213 times during the same period. Furthermore, Trump's claims about his golfing habits have been called into question. He has stated that he doesn't have time for golf and only plays with people who can help the country, but there have been reports of him playing with friends and family.
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Cost of Trump's golfing trips
The golfing habits of Donald Trump, who owns over 16 golf courses, have been a cause for concern for many Americans due to the high costs involved. Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, with some estimates putting the figure at around $18 million for his golf weekends in Florida alone. Trump's frequent trips to his own properties have led to significant expenses for the government, and these costs are expected to rise with his increasing travel frequency.
Trump's decision to retain ownership of his family business has resulted in his golf outings becoming more than just questionable government spending. The president is enriching himself through payments made by US agencies to Mar-a-Lago and other Trump properties. Each visit to and from Palm Beach International Airport costs taxpayers about a million dollars, including the cost of flying in Air Force One and a separate cargo plane for the presidential motorcade. Trump's businesses have also charged the government for housing Secret Service agents and other White House staff.
The costs of Trump's golfing trips extend beyond just transportation and accommodation. Security measures, such as police boats with machine guns, Coast Guard vessels, local law enforcement, and explosive-sniffing dogs, add significantly to the overall expense. These security provisions have been heightened due to two assassination attempts on Trump during the 2024 campaign. The frequent trips also strain county resources, requiring additional helicopters, manpower, and boats for continuous surveillance and protection.
Trump's golfing habits have been a topic of discussion since his first presidential campaign in 2016, when he pledged, "I'm going to be working for you. I'm not going to have time to go play golf." However, Trump has spent a considerable amount of time golfing during his presidency, with 285 daytime visits to golf clubs and evidence of him playing on at least 142 occasions as of November 8, 2020. TrumpGolfCount.com estimates that his golfing trips have cost taxpayers $142 million so far, with trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One accounting for $59 million.
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Trump's golfing during the 2025 presidency
Even before Donald Trump became President of the United States, he was known for his love of golf and spent a considerable amount of time on the golf course. However, his obsession with the sport only grew once he took office. Trump's golfing habits have been a topic of scrutiny and debate, especially concerning the implications of his leisure activities on his presidential duties and the associated taxpayer expenses.
According to various media outlets and golf-watching enthusiasts, Trump had reportedly played golf 27 times by late May 2025, during his second term as president. This equates to approximately five times in the first 28 days of his presidency, which began on January 20, 2025. While the exact number fluctuates depending on the source, there is a consensus that golf remains a central part of his lifestyle.
Trump's golfing has been a subject of criticism, with some arguing that he should be dedicating more time to his presidential duties. There have also been concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding his golfing outings, including the costs to taxpayers and potential conflicts of interest. Despite these criticisms, Trump has continued to take frequent golfing trips, often to his own properties, such as Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster.
Trump's love for golf has also influenced American diplomacy. For instance, he played golf five times with Shinzō Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, fostering a closer personal relationship between the two leaders. Similarly, after Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, resumed playing golf to benefit his country's relationship with the US during Trump's second presidency.
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Trump's golf courses
Former US President Donald Trump has long been associated with the game of golf, both as a player and a golf course owner. Trump's love for golf has been well documented, with the former president reportedly spending 22.5% to 22.75% of his time in office on the golf course. According to Golf Digest, Trump has a handicap of 2.8, although sportswriter Rick Reilly disputes this in his book, "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump".
Trump's passion for the game began while he was attending Fordham University, and in his 2005 book, "The Best Golf Advice I Ever Received", he wrote, "for me and millions of people—men, women, young and old around the world—golf is more than a game. It is a passion". Trump's affinity for golf has also influenced American diplomacy, with the former president reportedly playing golf five times with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, helping to foster a closer relationship between the two leaders.
Trump owns several golf courses in the United States and abroad. He opened his first golf course in 1999, the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. This course was valued at $45 million and was acquired through a lawsuit against Palm Beach County, Florida, after Trump purchased the Mar-a-Lago resort. By 2007, Trump owned four golf courses across the United States. Following the 2008 financial crisis, he began purchasing and re-designing existing golf courses. Trump's golf courses have hosted several prestigious tournaments, including the LPGA Tour finale from 2001 to 2008 and the 2009 US Junior Amateur and US Junior Girls Championships.
In 2014, the Professional Golfers' Association of America announced a multi-year partnership with the Trump Organization, and Trump's courses were selected to host the 2017 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship. In addition to his golf courses in the United States, Trump also manages two golf courses in Dubai, including the Trump World Golf Club, which was designed by Tiger Woods. Trump's golf courses have faced some controversies, including lawsuits claiming that foreign payments at his golf courses and hotels violate the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Despite this, they continue to be popular destinations for golfers and have contributed to the powerful resurgence of golf in 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
As of late May 2025, President Donald Trump has reportedly played golf 27 times this year. However, the exact number fluctuates depending on the source.
By April 5, 2025, Trump had visited a golf course 332 times during his presidency, including both his first and second terms. It is estimated that he played around 261 rounds during his first term, averaging one round every 5.6 days.
Reports indicate that taxpayers have incurred significant expenses related to Trump's golfing, with estimates exceeding $26 million for his second term alone. The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch estimated Trump's golf trips cost taxpayers around $151.5 million over four years.
Yes, Trump has been criticised for spending too much time golfing instead of focusing on his presidential duties. There has also been a lack of transparency surrounding his golfing outings, with critics arguing that there is a lack of information about who he plays with and the potential conflicts of interest involved.
