Nina Caldwell
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticised for spending too much time on the golf course. Trump has spent 38 days on the golf course during his first 167 days in office, which equates to 22.5% of his time as president. Trump has been accused of being out of touch by critics, who claim that he cares more about golfing than addressing national issues, such as the Texas floods, which killed over 70 people, and the struggling US economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time spent golfing during presidency | 38 days out of 167 days in office (22.75% of his time in charge) |
| Golf courses frequented | Trump International Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey; Trump National Doral, Miami; Mar-a-Lago, Florida; Jupiter, Florida |
| Criticism | Accused of being "out of touch" during economic crisis and Texas floods |
| Comparisons | Likened to a "king" and "monarch"; compared to Shakespeare's Richard III |
| Notable golf-related incidents | Won his own golf tournament; begged Barack Obama to play golf with him |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's golfing habits criticised as 'out of touch'
Trumps golfing habits criticised as out of touch
Donald Trump's golfing habits have come under scrutiny, with critics accusing him of being ''out of touch" and prioritising his own interests over governance. The criticism comes amid concerns about economic turmoil, international conflict, domestic unrest, and natural disasters, such as the deadly floods in Texas.
Trump has been criticised for spending a significant amount of time on the golf course during his presidency. According to Trump Golf Track, he spent 38 days on the golf course during his first 167 days in office, amounting to 22.5% of his time in charge. This has led to accusations of being ''disrespectful" and neglecting his duties as president.
On one occasion, Trump was in Florida, where he spent time at his Mar-a-Lago resort and golf club in Palm Beach. While there, he defended himself on his Truth Social media platform and attended a candlelit dinner for Maga Inc., an allied political organisation, reportedly charging $1 million per plate. Meanwhile, his cabinet members offered conflicting signals about his tariff policies, indicating a potential disconnect between the president and his administration.
Trump's golfing habits have drawn comparisons to monarchs, with some critics likening him to a "mad king" or "wannabe king." Kurt Bardella, a Democratic strategist, stated that Trump's actions, such as golfing while the economy is in chaos, portray him as being "completely out of touch" or, at worst, a "sociopathic narcissist."
The president's behaviour has also been contrasted with that of his predecessors. Barack Obama, for instance, united with George W. Bush in a rare move against Trump, though it is unclear if Obama has accepted any invitations to golf with Trump.
Trump's golfing trips have become a sensitive issue, with critics arguing that they symbolise a larger pattern of misplaced priorities and a disconnect from the struggles of average Americans. As the world faces various crises, the president's early departures from the White House for golf clubs have fuelled accusations of favouring fundraising and personal comforts over the responsibilities of governance.
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Trump wins his own golf tournament
Donald Trump has been criticised for his frequent golfing trips, with some accusing him of being "out of touch". In April 2025, Trump was criticised for golfing while the economy was in a downturn. Trump has also been criticised for golfing while disasters unfolded, such as the Texas floods in July 2025, which led to the deaths of over 70 people.
Despite the criticism, Trump has continued to golf regularly and has even won several championships at his own golf courses. In April 2025, Trump won the Club Championship and the Senior Club Championship at his course in West Palm Beach, Florida. He then went on to win the Men's Member-Guest tournament at the same course, playing alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Trump's win at his own golf course prompted Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, to compare him to "Marie Antoinette".
Trump's first golf course, the Trump International Golf Club, opened in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1999. By 2016, he owned 17 golf courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization. Trump's golf courses have been selected to host various PGA and LPGA events, including the 2022 PGA Championship, although the PGA terminated this partnership following the 2021 United States Capitol attack.
Trump's frequent golfing and ownership of golf courses have sparked criticism and ethical concerns. Some have accused him of potential conflicts of interest and demanded that he divest from his business holdings, including his golf courses. Despite this, Trump has continued to spend a significant amount of time at his golf clubs and has shown no signs of changing his behaviour.
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Texas flood death toll rises as Trump plays golf
Devastating floods in Texas have resulted in a death toll of 78 people, including 28 children. The floods, which began on Wednesday, were caused by the nearby Guadalupe River breaking its banks after torrential rain fell in central Texas. The river swelled further as rain continued to fall on soil already saturated from the initial downpour.
As the death toll rose, President Donald Trump was criticized for allegedly spending time on the golf course. Trump's public schedule revealed he was set to leave Bedminster, New Jersey, where one of his favorite golf courses is located, at 5 pm local time on Sunday. Some people on social media expressed their anger, accusing the president of being disrespectful and out of touch, and prioritizing golfing over the victims in Texas.
Trump responded to the tragedy, expressing his condolences and stating that his administration is working with Texas state and local officials. He also said that his Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, would be joining the efforts in Texas. Trump's administration has, however, faced scrutiny for cuts to the federal workforce, including the agency overseeing the National Weather Service, which may have impacted the accuracy of flood predictions and the issuance of timely warnings.
Trump has been known for his frequent golfing trips, having spent 38 days on the golf course during his 167 days in office, amounting to 22.75% of his time as president. This has led to criticisms of being "out of touch" and insensitive to the economic struggles faced by Americans.
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Trump accused of caring more about golf than victims in Texas
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of caring more about golf than victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed at least 51 people, including 15 children. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers continue to search for 11 missing girls. Trump has been criticised for his response to the disaster, with critics accusing him of being disrespectful and out of touch.
Trump's public schedule revealed that he was set to leave Bedminster, New Jersey, where one of his favourite golf courses is located, at 5 pm on Sunday. Trump has spent a significant amount of time at some of his most famous clubs, including the Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster and Trump National Doral in Miami.
Trump's critics have taken to social media to express their anger. One person wrote: "Trump is partially responsible for what happened due to his cuts to related government agencies. Even Texas officials are saying it. And instead of visiting Texas, he’s off playing golf. That’s how much he cares." Another commented: "20+ INNOCENT CHILDREN WERE SWEPT AWAY IN A FLASH FLOOD IN TEXAS -- WHERE WAS AMERICAS PRESIDENT -- DONALD TRUMP WAS PLAYING GOLF!!!!".
Trump has also been criticised for spending time on the golf course during other crises. In April 2025, he was accused of being “completely out of touch" as he played golf while the US economy was in a state of meltdown. Trump has spent 38 days on the golf course during his first 167 days in office, which equates to 22.5% of his time in charge of the country.
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Trump's golf courses
Former US President Donald Trump is a well-known golf enthusiast, with a reported handicap of 2.8. Trump's first golf course, the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, opened in 1999. The land for this $45 million course was acquired through a lawsuit against Palm Beach County after Trump purchased the Mar-a-Lago resort.
By 2007, Trump owned four courses across the United States. However, it was after the 2008 financial crisis that he began purchasing existing golf courses and re-designing them. Trump's love for the game has been documented in his book, "The Best Golf Advice I Ever Received," where he wrote, "for me and millions of people—men, women, young and old across the world—golf is more than a game. It is a passion."
Trump's passion for golf has also influenced American diplomacy. For example, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, played golf with Trump five times, fostering a closer relationship between the two leaders. Similarly, after Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election, the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, resumed playing golf to benefit his country's relationship with the US. However, Trump has also faced criticism for his golfing habits. During his time in office, he spent a significant amount of time at his golf clubs, including Trump National Doral in Miami and his Bedminster course, leading to accusations of neglect during crises, such as the 2025 floods in Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump is an avid golfer and has spent a significant amount of time on the golf course during his presidency. According to some sources, he has spent 22.5% of his time in office on the golf course.
Yes, Trump has been criticised for spending too much time golfing while there are important political issues and crises occurring simultaneously. He has been accused of being "out of touch" and prioritising his own interests over the needs of the country.
Trump has several favourite golf courses, including his private golf clubs in Florida and New Jersey, such as Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, and Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster.
Yes, Trump has tried to involve former President Barack Obama in golfing. According to reports, Trump begged Obama to play golf at his courses during Jimmy Carter's funeral. However, Obama has not taken up Trump's offer.
