Ava Romero
Former US President Barack Obama's love of golf is well-known, and he has spent roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds since he was elected in 2008. Obama has played with celebrities, crashed a wedding, and even lost a $5 bet to Bill Murray in the Oval Office. However, his golfing has also drawn criticism, especially when he went golfing minutes after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley by ISIS in 2014. Obama has also been denounced by former US President Donald Trump, who accused the media of failing to talk about all of the time Obama spent on the golf course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golfing frequency | 98 rounds of golf during his presidency |
| Golfing frequency | Spent roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds of golf since he was elected in 2008 |
| Golfing partners | Former President Bill Clinton |
| Golfing partners | Former U.S. Trade Representative Mark Kirk |
| Golfing partners | Vernon Jordan |
| Golfing partners | Michael Jordan |
| Golfing partners | Celebrities |
| Golfing locations | Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard |
| Golfing locations | Mid Pacific Country Club in Kailua, Hawaii |
| Golfing locations | TPC Stadium Course PGA West in La Quinta |
| Criticism | Golfing after announcing the death of James Foley |
| Criticism | Golfing during the Ukraine crisis |
| Criticism | Golfing during the Gaza crisis |
| Criticism | Golfing during racial unrest in Ferguson, Missouri |
| Criticism | Golfing during the Iraq and Syria crisis |
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What You'll Learn
Obama golfed after condemning James Foley's murder
In 2014, while on vacation on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, President Barack Obama played golf minutes after condemning the murder of journalist James Foley by ISIS militants. Obama issued a statement on August 20, calling ISIS a "bankrupt ideology" with "no place in the 21st century". Soon after, he proceeded to the golf course, drawing criticism for the juxtaposition of events.
The New York Daily News cover blasted "Bam's Golf War", displaying a smiling Obama behind the wheel of a golf cart, while Foley's parents grieved in a smaller photo. Obama later admitted he shouldn't have gone golfing directly after the statement, acknowledging that he should've anticipated the criticism and the optics of his actions. He expressed that it was a challenge and that he wanted a break from the press.
Obama faced scrutiny for his timing, with critics deeming it inappropriate to return to vacation so quickly after such a somber announcement. This incident was not an isolated case, as Obama played eight rounds of golf during his two-week vacation amidst various crises, including the Islamic State challenge in Iraq and Syria, racial unrest in Ferguson, the Ukraine crisis, and the Gaza crisis.
Despite this, it is important to note that Obama's overall golf-related carbon footprint has been smaller than that of his successor, President Donald Trump, who has spent more time at golf clubs and has a larger carbon footprint even when only counting air travel. Additionally, Obama has had notable golfing buddies, including former President Bill Clinton, with whom he played in 2015 while on vacation on Martha's Vineyard.
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Obama's golf buddies include Bill Clinton
Former US President Barack Obama has had some unique golfing buddies, including former president Bill Clinton. Obama and Clinton were spotted golfing together at the Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on Martha's Vineyard on August 15, 2015. They were joined by former U.S. Trade Representative Mark Kirk and Clinton confidante Vernon Jordan. The foursome seemed relaxed, with Obama and Kirk even sharing a side hug at one point.
Obama has faced criticism for his golfing outings during his presidency, particularly when they occurred during times of crisis. In 2014, Obama played golf minutes after delivering a somber statement on the death of American journalist James Foley, who was executed by Islamic State militants. This juxtaposition drew criticism from the media and the public, with the New York Daily News featuring a critical cover story titled "Bam's Golf War."
However, it is important to note that Obama is not the only president who has enjoyed golfing. Almost every president dating back decades has played golf, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford. Obama's predecessor, Clinton, was said to have a peak handicap of 10, although his partners whispered about his propensity for adjusting his scores.
Despite the criticism, Obama continued to enjoy golfing throughout his presidency. He played his 300th round of golf as president on Martha's Vineyard in August 2016, according to statistics compiled by CBS correspondent and White House historian Mark Knoller. By that point in his presidency, Obama had played 98 rounds of golf, significantly fewer than his successor, President Trump, who had spent all or part of 248 days at a golf course by a similar point in his term.
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Obama's golfing style and aptitude
Barack Obama's golfing partners have revealed insights into his golfing style and aptitude, shedding light on his performance on the fairway. Obama has spent roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds of golf since he was elected in 2008, with his love for the sport being well-documented.
In terms of style, Obama is described as an 'honest' stickler for the rules, who never gives up and even pokes fun at himself when he hits a bad shot. One of his playing partners, speaking to the New York Times, remarked that Obama's disposition on the golf course reflects his approach to the presidency. Obama is also known for his illustrious golfing buddies, including former President Bill Clinton, with whom he played at the Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, in 2015.
Regarding his aptitude, Obama's skills have reportedly improved during his time in office. Initially criticized for having bad posture and failing to keep his head down during his swing, he has since made progress, with rumors suggesting his scorecard regularly features mid-80s scores. In an interview, Obama himself alluded to this improvement, expressing his desire to 'break 80', a milestone for amateur golfers.
While Obama's exact handicap remains somewhat elusive, he did reveal in an interview with NBC's David Feherty in 2016 that it was an "honest 13". This disclosure sparked interest as it lifted a veil of secrecy around the president's golfing abilities.
Despite criticism from some, such as Michael Jordan, who called him a "hack" golfer, Obama took it in stride and acknowledged that Jordan was indeed a better golfer. Overall, Obama's golfing style is characterized by his dedication to the rules, good-natured humor, and a steady improvement in his skills over time.
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Obama's golfing habits criticised by Trump
Former US President Barack Obama has long been known for his love of golf, with the sport acting as a source of relaxation during his presidency. However, this hobby also attracted criticism, with his successor, Donald Trump, being particularly vocal about Obama's golfing habits.
In 2014, Obama faced scrutiny for playing golf minutes after delivering a statement on the execution of American journalist James Foley by Islamic State militants. This juxtaposition of events drew criticism, with the New York Daily News featuring a striking image of a smiling Obama behind the wheel of a golf cart alongside a smaller photo of Foley's grieving parents. Trump seized on this moment during his 2016 campaign, accusing Obama of relying on executive orders due to a lack of time spent on legislation, which Trump attributed to the former president's frequent golf outings.
Trump also criticised Obama's use of a "big, fully loaded 747" plane to fly to Hawaii for golf trips, arguing that this significantly contributed to Obama's carbon footprint. However, fact-checking by CNN revealed that Trump had spent far more time at golf clubs and had a larger carbon footprint, even when only considering air travel.
Obama's golfing partners and skills have been the subject of speculation, with the former president reportedly spending roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds of golf since his election in 2008. Obama has played with celebrities such as Bill Murray and Michael Jordan, as well as former President Bill Clinton. Despite his dedication to the sport, Obama has kept his media circus at bay on the tee, maintaining a level of privacy around his golfing abilities.
While Trump criticised Obama's golfing habits, it is worth noting that Obama's time spent on the golf course was a result of his commitment to the sport and provided him with a break from the pressures of the presidency.
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Obama's most memorable golfing moments
Barack Obama's love of golf is well-known, with the former president spending roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds since he was elected in 2008. Obama's dedication to the sport has led to some memorable moments, including:
Golfing with the celebrities
Obama has played golf with some famous faces, including former president Bill Clinton, former U.S. Trade Representative Mark Kirk, and Clinton confidante Vernon Jordan. In an interview with WJMR in Wisconsin, Obama also recalled playing with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who described the president as a "hack" golfer.
The great wedding shuffle
In December 2014, Obama's vacation golf game with a couple of friends led to two Army captains having to move their wedding from the 16th green at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course in Hawaii. Obama later called the couple to apologize and offer his congratulations.
The $5 putting bet
Obama once lost a $5 putting bet to comedian and pro-am regular Bill Murray in the Oval Office. Obama retold the story on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, saying, "The glass was rigged."
Golfing under fire
Obama faced criticism in 2014 when he played 18 holes at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard shortly after delivering a statement on the death of American journalist James Foley at the hands of Islamic State militants. The *New York Daily News* cover that day read, "Bam's Golf War," drawing attention to the juxtaposition of events.
While Obama's golfing habits were often scrutinized, data shows that he spent less time on the golf course compared to his successor, President Donald Trump, who criticized Obama's golfing during his election campaign.
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Frequently asked questions
Obama's golfing habits were criticised by some, including Donald Trump, who accused the media of not talking about "all of the time Obama spent on the golf course". Obama was also criticised for golfing after delivering a statement on the death of American journalist James Foley. However, the White House defended Obama's golfing, stating that the issues the country was facing had "absolutely captured the president's attention".
Obama golfed with various celebrities and political figures, including former president Bill Clinton, former U.S. Trade Representative Mark Kirk, and Clinton confidante Vernon Jordan.
Obama played golf frequently during his presidency, with reports estimating that he spent roughly 1,000 hours playing 214 rounds of golf since he was elected in 2008.
