Trevor Ng
Donald Trump's love of golf is well-known, with the former president estimated to have played around 261 rounds of golf during his first term, averaging one game every 5.6 days. Trump's golfing habit has been a source of controversy, with critics pointing out the high cost to taxpayers. During his first term, Trump spent an estimated $151.5 million of taxpayer money on his golfing trips, with each trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida costing over $3 million. Trump's frequent visits to his own golf properties have also raised ethical concerns and questions about conflicts of interest. Despite the criticism, Trump has continued to golf during his second term, with reports suggesting he has spent nearly 25% of his time in office on the golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of days golfing in the first 8 weeks of presidency | 11 |
| Average number of days between golf rounds | 5 |
| Number of days golfing in the first term | 428 |
| Number of rounds of golf in the first term | 261 |
| Average number of rounds per year in the first term | 65.25 |
| Average number of days between golf rounds for Obama | 12-13 |
| Number of times golfing with members of Congress as of January 2018 | 7 |
| Number of days golfing in the second term as of June 2025 | More than 10 |
| Number of days golfing in the second term as of June 2025 (as a percentage) | 24.3% |
| Cost of golfing as of March 30, 2025 | $26 million |
| Estimated cost of golfing in the first term | $151.5 million |
| Cost of 4 trips to Mar-a-Lago in 2017 | $3,383,250 |
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What You'll Learn
Golfing costs to taxpayers
During his first presidential term, Donald Trump spent approximately 428 out of 1,461 days (30%) at a Trump Organization property, estimated to have played around 261 rounds of golf, averaging one game every 5.6 days. Trump's frequent visits to his own properties raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the use of taxpayer funds for security and travel.
Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. For example, a 2019 Government Accountability Office report calculated that each of Trump's first four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his presidency cost $3,383,250 in 2017 dollars, with costs including flying in on Air Force One, transporting motorcade vehicles with C-17s, and additional law enforcement and security measures such as police boats and a Coast Guard vessel.
Trump's golfing has continued into his second term, with reports estimating that he has spent nearly 25% of his time in office golfing, costing taxpayers approximately $52 million as of June 2025. These frequent weekend outings have reignited debates about his work ethic and the use of taxpayer funds.
While some have defended Trump's golfing as an opportunity to develop relationships with members of Congress, critics argue that the significant costs of his golfing trips provide little return value for taxpayers. The high costs of Trump's golfing have drawn criticism, especially in contrast to his campaign promises of a strong work ethic.
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Trump's golf courses and properties
Donald Trump's love of golf has been well-documented, with the former president spending a significant number of days on the golf course during his time in office. This has sparked controversy and raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding the potential conflict of interests with his business holdings and the cost to taxpayers.
Trump's affinity for golf has also influenced American diplomacy. For example, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, played golf with Trump five times, fostering a close personal relationship between the two leaders. Trump's first golf course, the Trump International Golf Club, opened in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1999. He acquired this land through a lawsuit against Palm Beach County after purchasing the Mar-a-Lago resort. By 2007, Trump owned four courses across the United States.
After the 2008 financial crisis, Trump shifted his strategy and began purchasing existing golf courses to redesign and rebrand them under his name. By 2016, his holding company, the Trump Organization, owned 17 golf courses worldwide. These courses have hosted notable events, including the LPGA Tour finale from 2001 to 2008 and the 2009 US Junior Amateur and US Junior Girls Championships. The Trump Organization also manages two golf courses in Dubai, one of which, the Trump World Golf Club, was designed by Tiger Woods.
Trump's frequent golfing trips have also incurred significant costs for taxpayers, including expenses for Secret Service agents and rentals for golf carts and portable restrooms. These expenses, along with the high membership fees at Trump's golf clubs, have drawn criticism and raised ethical concerns about the potential influence of wealthy individuals lobbying the government.
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Golfing with foreign leaders
Donald Trump's frequent golfing trips have been a source of controversy, with critics pointing to the high costs borne by taxpayers and potential conflicts of interest. During his first term as president, Trump spent approximately 428 out of 1,461 days (around 30%) at a Trump Organization property, with an estimated 261 rounds of golf played, averaging one game every 5.6 days. This has led to concerns about the use of taxpayer funds for security and travel, with each trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida costing $3,383,250 in 2017 dollars, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
However, defenders of Trump's golfing habits argue that it helps foster better relationships with foreign leaders and members of Congress. Notably, Trump has played golf with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, on five occasions, helping to strengthen their personal relationship. In February 2017, Trump invited Abe to play at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida and stay at Mar-a-Lago, sparking legal and ethical concerns over potential violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause. Despite the controversy, Trump's golfing diplomacy seems to have had a positive impact on US-Japan relations, with Abe praising their close personal relationship.
Trump's golfing habits have also influenced other world leaders. After Trump's 2024 election victory, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, reportedly took up golf again to emulate Trump and benefit South Korea's relationship with the US. This strategy seems to have paid off, as Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader after his re-election was with Yoon, highlighting the potential diplomatic advantages of golfing with foreign leaders.
While Trump's golfing trips have sparked debates about cost and ethics, they have also opened up diplomatic avenues. The close relationships fostered through golfing with foreign leaders, such as Japan's Shinzo Abe, have had a tangible impact on international relations. As Trump embarks on his second term, it remains to be seen whether his golfing diplomacy will continue to shape US foreign policy.
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Lawsuits and legal concerns
Donald Trump's frequent golfing has sparked controversy and raised legal concerns during his presidency. One of the main issues is the cost of his golfing trips, which has been estimated to run into millions of dollars of taxpayer money. According to a 2019 Government Accountability Office report, each of Trump's first four trips to Mar-a-Lago cost approximately $3,383,250 in 2017 dollars. The costs include transportation on Air Force One, flying in vehicles for his motorcade, and additional security measures such as police boats and a Coast Guard vessel. By March 2025, the estimated cost of Trump's golfing during his first term had reached $151.5 million, with Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett highlighting the lack of tangible benefits for the American people from these expenses. The high frequency of his golfing outings, often at Trump Organization properties, has also led to concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential use of taxpayer funds for personal gain.
Trump's golfing has also intersected with legal concerns regarding the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the United States Constitution. Days after his inauguration, a lawsuit was filed to prevent him from receiving payments from foreign government entities at his businesses, arguing that these payments violated the Constitution. In February 2017, Trump's invitation to the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, to play golf at his Florida club and stay at Mar-a-Lago raised ethical questions over potential foreign payments. While Trump pledged to donate any such payments to the Treasury Department, the specifics remained unclear. The attorneys general of Maryland and the District of Columbia filed a separate lawsuit in June 2017, accusing Trump of "flagrantly violating" the Emoluments Clause.
Trump's acquisition of land for his first golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1999, was also mired in legal proceedings. He acquired the land through a lawsuit against Palm Beach County after purchasing the Mar-a-Lago resort. By 2007, Trump had expanded his golf course portfolio to four courses across the United States.
The Trump Organization has also been involved in legal disputes related to its golf course operations. In June 2021, the organization sued the city of New York for wrongful termination of a contract to operate a golf course. The court allowed the Trump Organization to continue operating the course during the case. In April 2022, the judge ruled that the city had not provided a valid legal reason for ending the contract. Subsequently, in September 2023, the Trump Organization sold the operating rights to Bally's Corporation for $60 million, and the course was renamed "Bally Links" in January 2024.
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Taxpayer funding for security and travel
There has been significant concern over the amount of taxpayer money spent on former President Donald Trump's golfing trips. During his first presidential term, Trump spent approximately 428 out of 1,461 days (30%) at a Trump Organization property, estimated to be 261 rounds of golf, averaging one game every 5.6 days. This frequent use of his own properties raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the use of taxpayer funds for security and travel.
Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. For example, a 2019 Government Accountability Office report calculated that each of Trump's first four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his presidency cost $3,383,250 in 2017 dollars, with the actual costs likely being higher. These costs include flying in on Air Force One, transporting motorcade vehicles with C-17s, and additional expenses for law enforcement, bomb-sniffing dogs, and Coast Guard patrols due to Mar-a-Lago's waterfront location.
Trump's golfing habits have also impacted American diplomacy. He has played golf with foreign leaders, such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who played with him five times, helping to foster a closer personal relationship. This has led to ethical concerns about potential foreign payments and violations of the Foreign Emoluments Clause.
The high frequency of Trump's golfing outings, often at his own properties, has drawn criticism for the significant cost to taxpayers, especially when contrasted with his campaign promises of a strong work ethic. Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett highlighted the substantial cost of Trump's golfing, expressing concern about the lack of return on the investment for the American people.
In summary, Trump's golfing excursions have resulted in substantial taxpayer spending on security and travel, with associated costs for transportation, law enforcement, and accommodation. These expenses, coupled with the diplomatic implications of his golfing interactions with foreign leaders, have sparked ongoing debates about the appropriate use of taxpayer funds and potential conflicts of interest.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 2025, Trump has spent nearly 25% of his second term golfing, costing taxpayers $51.8 million.
Trump spent approximately 428 out of 1,461 days (30%) at a Trump Organization property during his first term. He is estimated to have played around 261 rounds of golf, averaging one game every 5.6 days.
Trump is estimated to have spent $151.5 million of taxpayer money on golfing during his first term. Each of his first four trips to Mar-a-Lago cost $3,383,250.
