Harper Lin
Presidents and golf have gone hand-in-hand for over a century. From FDR to Ike, JFK to Dubya, US presidents have historically had one thing in common: a huge passion for golf. The sport has been used by presidents to relax and socialise, as well as for political negotiations and deal-making. The first American president to golf while in office was William Taft, who wanted exercise that suited his rather hefty frame. Presidents Wilson and Eisenhower are known for playing the most golf, with Wilson playing over 1,200 rounds and Eisenhower playing approximately 800 rounds during their respective presidencies. More recently, Donald Trump has been criticised for his frequent golfing trips, despite his own previous criticism of Barack Obama's golf habits. Trump owns several golf resorts and has played the game his entire adult life.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Golf as a relaxation technique for presidents
Golf has been a common pastime for American presidents for over a century. The sport is associated with the upper class in the United States, and presidents from Theodore Roosevelt to Donald Trump have been avid golfers. While some presidents have been criticised for spending too much time on the golf course, the game can provide a much-needed break from the stresses and responsibilities of the presidency.
Being the president of the United States is a demanding and high-pressure job, and golf can offer a way for presidents to relax and unwind. The game provides an opportunity for physical exercise and a chance to spend time outdoors, enjoying the fresh air. It can also be a social activity, allowing presidents to connect with other politicians, business leaders, and even celebrities in a more casual setting.
Some presidents have also used golf as a tool for political negotiations and deal-making. Lyndon B. Johnson , for example, was known to bring politics onto the golf course, and it is rumoured that he secured the votes needed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 while playing golf. Similarly, Donald Trump has played golf with world leaders like Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which helped foster a personal connection between them.
In addition to its social and political benefits, golf can also be a form of relaxation for presidents. The repetitive and calming nature of the game can help take their minds off the pressures of the presidency, even if just for a few hours. As Bill Clinton once said in defence of playing golf as president, "Presidents need to rest their minds, not just their bodies... They need the exercise, the fresh air. And they need to do something that, literally, takes them away from what they're doing."
While some may criticise presidents for spending too much time on the golf course, it is important to recognise that the presidency is a demanding job that requires occasional breaks. Golf provides presidents with an opportunity to relax and recharge, which can ultimately benefit their ability to lead and make difficult decisions.
Golf Double Bogey: What It Is and How to Avoid It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$21.49 $29.99
Presidents who own golf courses
Golf has long been a popular pastime for presidents, with the sport offering a chance to unwind from the stresses of the job, socialise, and even negotiate political deals. However, only one president is known to have owned golf courses: Donald Trump.
Trump's relationship with golf began during his career as a businessman and politician. As a real estate developer, he started acquiring and constructing golf courses in 1999. By 2016, he owned 17 golf courses worldwide through his holding company, the Trump Organization. Trump's courses have hosted various LPGA and PGA events, including the LPGA Tour finale from 2001 to 2008 and the 2022 PGA Championship (though the PGA terminated its contract with Trump in the aftermath of the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021).
Trump's love for golf has been well documented, with sportswriter Rick Reilly coining the term "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump" in his book of the same name. Trump's handicap is reportedly as low as 2.8, though this has been disputed. He has been accused of cheating on the golf course, with social media users sharing clips that appear to show Trump's caddy moving his ball.
Trump's golf courses include the Trump International Golf Links in Scotland and Ireland, the latter of which was built from his acquisition of Doonbeg Golf Club. He also owns golf courses in the United Arab Emirates, New Jersey, and Indonesia, where he has two courses under construction.
While Trump is the only president known to have owned golf courses, other presidents have been passionate golfers. These include FDR, Eisenhower ("Ike"), JFK, and Bill Clinton.
Jordan Baker: Cheating at Golf?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Presidents who played golf during their time in office
Golf and the presidency have gone hand in hand for many US leaders over the last 75 years. The sport has been used as a way to unwind from the stresses of the job, and also as a way to conduct meetings and political negotiations.
Woodrow Wilson holds the record for the most golf played by a sitting US president, with over 1,200 rounds during his tenure. He reportedly played with black lacquer golf balls, even in the snow. Wilson used golf as an escape, notably playing on the morning he declared war on Germany.
Dwight Eisenhower, Golfweek's Golfer of the Century in 2000, was a prominent member of Augusta National Golf Club. He had a putting green installed at the White House and played approximately 800 rounds during his presidency.
John F Kennedy was a seriously good golfer, a member of the Harvard golf team during his college years. He once nearly aced the 16th hole at Cypress Point, his tee shot ending up inches from the hole.
Bill Clinton was a huge golf fan, known for being long off the tee. He was not too concerned with the rules, taking up to 100 extra shots per round.
Donald Trump is associated with golf more than any other president, owning several high-end golf resorts. He has a reported handicap of 2.8 and has said that "golf is more than a game. It is a passion". He played golf 11 times during his first eight weeks in office and visited a Trump Organization golf property on nearly one in three days of his first presidency.
Other golfing presidents include Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
The Ultimate Guide to Flappy Golf 2
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Presidents who played golf before becoming president
Several US presidents have been avid golfers, with the sport seemingly a common passion among leaders. The game has been used as a way to relax and socialise, as well as a means to conduct political negotiations and foster international diplomacy.
Woodrow Wilson holds the record for the most golf played by a sitting US president, with over 1,200 rounds during his tenure. Wilson even played on the morning he declared war on Germany, using golf as an escape from the pressures of office. Dwight Eisenhower, named 'Golfer of the Century' in 2000, was also a prominent golfer. He installed a putting green at the White House and played approximately 800 rounds during his presidency.
Other presidents who played golf before taking office include John F. Kennedy (JFK), who was a member of the Harvard golf team during his college years and a devoted golfer. He played most of his golf at the Burning Tree Club in Washington, DC, and his wife, Jackie, once gave him a small golf course as a gift.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was also a passionate golfer, becoming the club champion at Campobello Island Golf Club in New Brunswick, Canada, during his college years. Unfortunately, he had to give up the game after contracting polio at the age of 39.
Bill Clinton was also a golf enthusiast, known for his long drives off the tee. He was less concerned with the rules, though, and would often take up to 100 extra shots per round.
Donald Trump has had a well-documented relationship with golf, acquiring and constructing golf courses worldwide through his business holdings. He began playing while attending Fordham University and has reportedly won 19 club championships, with a handicap of 2.8.
Barack Obama also played golf as a left-hander, receiving criticism for playing too much during his presidency.
Golf's Grand Slam: The 5 Majors
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Golf as a way to socialise and negotiate
Golf has been a favourite pastime of many US presidents, with sixteen of the last nineteen presidents taking to the golf course. The sport has been associated with the upper class in American culture, and presidents have leveraged this association for socialising and negotiation.
For presidents, golf has been a way to socialise with other politicians and world leaders. For instance, former President Donald Trump played golf with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, helping them become personally close. Similarly, Trump played golf with Senator Rand Paul, and President Lyndon B. Johnson played golf with other politicians in Washington. Golf has also been a way for presidents to socialise with celebrities, as in the case of Trump.
Golf has also been a platform for political negotiations and deal-making. President Lyndon B. Johnson, for instance, used golf for political negotiations, and reportedly secured the votes he needed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on the golf course. Similarly, President Trump has defended playing golf with world leaders and senators as being conducive to deal-making.
Beyond socialising and negotiation, golf has been an important outlet for presidents to relax and unwind from the stresses and responsibilities of their office. As Clinton explained, "Presidents need to rest their minds, not just their bodies... They need the exercise, the fresh air. And they need to do something that, literally, takes them away from what they're doing." President Barack Obama, for instance, received criticism for playing too much golf, reportedly playing about 333 times in two years during his presidency.
Golf's HCP System: Understanding the Handicap Code
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Being president is a stressful job, and golf is a good way to relax and unwind. It's also a way to socialise and network, as well as take meetings outside of the office.
Woodrow Wilson holds the record for most golf played by a sitting U.S. president, with over 1,200 rounds during his tenure. Dwight Eisenhower played approximately 800 rounds during his presidency.
The last time a president didn't play golf was Jimmy Carter, over 41 years ago. Herbert Hoover found golf inappropriate during the Great Depression, and Harry Truman was also not a fan of the game.
Trump has been criticised for his relationship with golf. As a businessman, he acquired and constructed golf courses, and as president, he chose not to divest from these holdings, leading to criticism from ethics lawyers and journalists for potential conflicts of interest. He also criticised Barack Obama for playing too much golf, but then played more himself during his first 100 days in office.
