Jackson Reid
Donald Trump's affinity for golf is well-known, with the former president owning several golf courses worldwide and frequently playing the sport. Trump's love for golf has been a topic of interest for the media and the public, especially during his presidency. Trump has been criticised for the amount of time and money spent on his golf trips, with some arguing that it has been a financial burden on American taxpayers. It has been estimated that Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers millions of dollars, including expenses for Air Force One trips, Secret Service protection, and accommodation. Trump's frequent visits to his golf courses have also caused inconveniences for residents in the areas he visits, with road closures and increased security measures in place. While the exact number of times Trump has played golf during his presidency is unknown, various sources and websites have been dedicated to tracking his golfing activities, with some providing estimates and calculations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golf courses owned by Trump | 17 worldwide as of 2016 |
| Trump's handicap | 2.8 |
| Number of times Trump has played golf since his inauguration | 285 daytime visits to golf clubs, with evidence of playing on at least 142 occasions as of November 8, 2020 |
| Estimated cost of Trump's golfing trips to taxpayers | $142 million |
| Cost of trips to Mar-a-Lago onboard Air Force One | $59 million |
| Cost of security for Trump's visits to Palm Beach | $45 million |
| Federal costs of Trump's trips | Multimillion-dollar trip to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, and an appearance at Nascar's Daytona 500 |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's golf trips costing taxpayers millions
During his presidency, Donald Trump golfed frequently and often during times of crisis. While he was in office, Trump spent 38 days on the golf course, which is the equivalent of 22.75% of his time in charge of the country. Trump's trips to his own golf resorts have been costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
Trump's frequent trips to his own properties have been costing taxpayer funds and benefiting him directly. The US president has been cashing in by traveling to his own resorts. Trump has made seven trips to Florida and the golf courses he owns there. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) calculated in 2019 that federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of four Trump odysseys to Mar-a-Lago that it audited during his first term in office, with a chunk of that money going straight into Trump’s pocket.
Trump's trips to his golf resorts have also been a drain on county resources. The Palm Beach County Sheriff, Ric Bradshaw, said that his department spends $240,000 a day to help the Secret Service protect Trump. Bradshaw asked county commissioners for $45 million in additional funds to provide security for Trump’s visits for the rest of the year.
Trump has also been accused of overcharging the Secret Service to stay at his properties. A report issued by Democrats in Congress found that the Trump Organization charged the Secret Service as much as $1,815 a room per night to stay at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC. Trump's businesses charged the US government to house Secret Service agents and other White House staff.
Trump's golf trips have also caused controversy during times of crisis. He was criticized for golfing while Texas was suffering from flash floods that killed 70 people, including 28 children. Trump was also pictured golfing as Democrats made their case against him at his impeachment trial in the Senate.
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Trump's criticism of Obama's golfing habits
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump frequently criticized Barack Obama for golfing too much while in office. Trump claimed that he would be too busy working for the American people to have time to play golf if he were elected. However, during his first month as president, Trump visited golf courses six times, and on at least three of those occasions, he played golf.
Trump's golfing trips have been a source of controversy, with critics arguing that they are unnecessary and extravagant. The president's visits to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which he has dubbed his "Winter White House," have been particularly scrutinized. The frequent trips have resulted in significant security costs for Palm Beach County, with the county expecting to be reimbursed with federal funds. Trump's preference for golfing in Florida has also led to numerous road closures and inconveniences for residents.
Trump's golfing during his presidency has also been scrutinized in the context of specific events. For example, in October 2019, Trump faced criticism for reportedly being on a golf outing while a US military raid on ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's compound was taking place. The White House released a photo of Trump and his advisers in the Situation Room during the raid, which was suggested to have been staged after the fact. Trump's golfing during this critical national security event sparked further criticism of his work ethic and leadership.
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Trump's golf diplomacy with Japan's PM
Former US President Donald Trump is known for his love of golf, a passion that has influenced American diplomacy. In February 2017, Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to play golf at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, and stay at his Mar-a-Lago resort. This was Trump's first use of his Mar-a-Lago resort to entertain an international leader. The two leaders also dined with their wives at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump and Abe's golf diplomacy aimed to strengthen the relationship between the US and Japan. Abe sought to ease concerns in Japan about the alliance under Trump, who had previously raised worries about US military spending in the country. During a news conference before their golf outing, Trump set aside campaign pledges to force Tokyo to pay more for US defence aid, while Abe promised to help the US create jobs.
Trump and Abe played golf together a total of five times, fostering a close personal relationship between the two leaders. Their shared love of the sport helped to solidify the diplomatic relationship between the US and Japan.
Trump's frequent golf outings have been a source of controversy, with critics arguing that they are expensive photo ops. His trips to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida have resulted in significant costs for security and inconveniences for local residents, with federal agencies spending an average of $13.6 million on each of the four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term.
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Trump's golf courses and their controversy
As a real estate developer, Donald Trump began acquiring and constructing golf courses in 1999. By 2016, he owned 17 golf courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization. Trump's love of golf is well-known, with sportswriter Rick Reilly commenting on it in his book, "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump". Trump himself has said that "golf is more than a game. It is a passion".
Trump's golf courses have been the subject of controversy. In 2014, the Professional Golfers' Association of America announced a multi-year partnership with the Trump Organization, selecting Trump golf courses to host the 2017 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 PGA Championship. However, in the aftermath of the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021, the PGA terminated this partnership, sparking a backlash from the Trump Organization, who claimed it was a "breach of a binding contract".
Trump's frequent golfing during his presidency also drew criticism. Despite frequently criticizing his predecessor, Barack Obama, for playing golf while in office, Trump golfed 11 times during his first eight weeks as president. During his 167 days in office, he spent 38 days on the golf course, equivalent to 22.75% of his time as president up to that point. Trump was also criticized for golfing during his impeachment trial and in the aftermath of flash floods in Texas that killed 70 people, including 28 children.
Trump's golf courses have also been the site of protests. In 2018, thousands of people protested in Edinburgh during Trump's visit to his Turnberry resort, with demonstrators booing the president during his Saturday afternoon golf game.
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Trump's frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago
Former US President Donald Trump has been criticised for his frequent visits to Mar-a-Lago, his private club and resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he often golfed. Trump acquired the Mar-a-Lago resort in 1999, and his love for the game of golf is well-known. Trump began playing while at Fordham University and has since acquired and constructed numerous golf courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization.
Trump's frequent trips to Mar-a-Lago have been a cause for concern among taxpayers, who have had to bear the financial burden of his travels. Federal agencies spent an average of $13.6 million on each of the four trips to Mar-a-Lago during his first term in office, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. These trips included flights on Air Force One, Secret Service protection, and accommodation, all of which added up to significant costs.
Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago have also caused inconvenience to local residents, who have had to deal with road closures and increased security measures. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has requested additional funding to provide security for Trump's visits, with an initial invoice of $45 million. The frequent visits have also led to criticisms of Trump's promise to "be working" for the American people, as he often spent weekends away from Washington, golfing at his private resort.
Trump's love for golf has also had an impact on American diplomacy. For example, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, played golf with Trump five times, helping to foster a close personal relationship between the two leaders. Trump's golfing trips have become a familiar routine, with the Federal Aviation Administration posting notices to airmen about upcoming flight restrictions over South Florida, indicating the president's travel plans to Mar-a-Lago.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump golfed during his presidency, with TrumpGolfCount.com estimating that he had been to golf clubs 285 times, with evidence of him playing on at least 142 occasions as of November 8, 2020.
Trump's golfing trips have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, with one source estimating the total cost to be $142 million.
Yes, Trump criticised Barack Obama for golfing while in office, despite the fact that Trump himself golfed much more frequently and at a greater cost to taxpayers.
