Miles Bennett
Golf has been a popular pastime for many US presidents, including Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush. Joe Biden, the current US president, has also been known to play golf, although his ability has been mocked by some, including former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who claimed that Biden was not a good golfer despite Biden's claims. Biden has been a member of golf clubs and played occasionally before becoming president, and golf has been a part of his routine during his time in office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is President Biden a golfer? | Yes, Biden has played golf since 2001. |
| Biden's handicap | It was estimated to be 10 in 2016. |
| Biden's golf clubs | He is a member of two country clubs in Delaware. |
| Golf as a presidential pastime | Golf has been a favorite of presidents, including Biden's predecessor, Trump, who played over 300 rounds in his four years in office. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Biden's golfing ability has been mocked
In 2016, Golf Digest estimated Biden's handicap to be a 10, while Trump claimed to have a 2.8 handicap. However, Trump's boast has been questioned by former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, who claimed Trump's handicap was closer to 10. Biden's golfing ability became a subject of national scrutiny during a presidential debate in the 2024 campaign.
Biden's first golf outing as president was underwhelming, with Biden himself quipping that the "course record was still intact." This was in contrast to Trump, who was a frequent golfer during his presidency, playing approximately every 4.2 days since being elected. Trump was also known for conducting business and forging political relationships on the golf course. Biden, on the other hand, has been an occasional player and did not visit a golf course until several months into his presidency.
While Biden's golfing skills may not be impressive, he has maintained that he could have beaten Trump on the links. Biden's relationship with golf seems to be more casual, as he did not think much of Trump's golf setup in the White House when he moved in, saying, "What a f*ing ahole."
Heritage Golf: A Legacy Left Unfinished
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Biden's golfing compared to Trump's
Golf has always been a favourite pastime of presidents. While Biden does play golf, he is not as avid a golfer as his predecessor, Donald Trump. Trump, who has been playing since 1968, golfed approximately every 4.2 days since being elected President, totalling over 300 rounds in his four years in office. In his first 100 days as president, Trump went to the golf course 19 times, whereas Biden went once. Trump was often criticised for neglecting his duties as president by regularly golfing, and for continuing to do so during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biden, on the other hand, has a handicap of a little over 6, according to the United States Golf Association, and has not recorded a score since 2018. He is a member of two country clubs in Delaware and has played with former president Barack Obama, who was also a keen golfer. Biden's ability has been mocked by former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who claimed that Biden was not a good golfer. Biden himself has mocked Trump for boasting about his golfing abilities.
While Trump has been criticised for golfing too often, Biden has been criticised for not golfing enough. Some have argued that Biden should golf more to help build relationships with members of Congress, as Trump did. Trump's golfing trips were often built around his properties in Palm Beach, Florida; Bedminster, New Jersey; or Sterling, Virginia.
Cancelling Performance Golf: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.99 $13.98
Biden's golfing compared to Obama's
Joe Biden has been an avid golfer since 2001. In 2011, he played golf with then-Ohio Governor John Kasich, who later mocked Biden's ability, claiming that Biden was not a good golfer. In 2016, Golf Digest estimated Biden's handicap to be 10. During his first 100 days as president, Biden went golfing once.
Barack Obama, Biden's predecessor, was also a keen golfer. Obama played golf frequently during his presidency, averaging 42 rounds per year, or once every nine days. Obama was criticised by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign for golfing too often. However, Trump surpassed Obama's record, golfing approximately every 4.2 days since being elected president, totalling 298 golfing trips during his first term.
While Biden and Obama both played golf, their frequencies and abilities differ. Obama played more often and was criticised by Trump for doing so. Biden, on the other hand, has played less frequently and has a higher handicap, indicating a lower skill level.
Golf Vests: A Perfect Fit Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Biden's golfing as vice president
Joe Biden's golfing skills were a subject of scrutiny during his time as vice president. In 2012, then-Ohio Governor John Kasich, who had played golf with Biden in 2011, claimed at the Republican National Convention that Biden was not a good golfer, contrary to what Biden had told him. In 2016, Golf Digest estimated Biden's handicap to be a modest 10, and he was ranked 29th in their list of Washington's top 150 golfers.
During his tenure as vice president, Biden often played golf with President Barack Obama, who was known to be a keen golfer. In 2016, Biden's golfing skills were again a topic of discussion during a trip to Ireland, where he played a round at the Castlebar Golf Club in County Mayo with Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Biden joked that his career was in better shape than his golfing, as he battled blustery conditions during the match.
Biden's golfing was also noted during his vacations in the Hamptons, where he spent time on the golf course alongside his wife, Jill Biden. In 2014, then-Vice President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, were photographed golfing in the Hamptons with Devon Archer, a board member of Burisma Holdings. This photograph was later used by President Trump to criticise Biden during his presidential campaign in 2019.
Ping Golf: Closed for Business?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Biden's golf handicap
Golf has always been a favourite of presidents. Joe Biden, the current president of the United States, has golfed throughout his time in the White House, as both president and vice president.
A handicap in golf is a numerical measure of a player's ability and potential based on previous scores and how they would stack up against competitors. A handicap of six would mean Biden is better than most amateur golfers, as he would shoot around the low 80s to high 70s, which is generally a solid score.
Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, has also been known to play golf frequently. Trump has boasted a handicap of 2.8, although this has been questioned. Former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, who has known Trump for three decades, claimed that Trump's handicap was more likely close to 10.
Improve Your Golf Game: Strategies for Lower Scores
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, President Biden is a golfer. He picked up the sport in 2001 and has been a member of two country clubs in Delaware.
President Biden's handicap has been estimated to be between 10 and a single-digit figure.
Biden played golf during his presidential campaign in 2024. His game was a subject of national scrutiny during this time.
Golf has been a favourite of many presidents, including Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, who played over 285 times during his four years in office. Biden, on the other hand, has been an occasional player and has not visited a golf course frequently.
