Harper Lin
US presidents have played golf at a variety of public courses across the country. Dwight D. Eisenhower was a member at Augusta National, while Bill Clinton played at the Champions Course at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens and the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami. Clinton was also the first president to play at both PGA Tour stops in South Florida. George H.W. Bush played at the Straits Course at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, and was a founding member of the Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presidents who played golf | Dwight D. Eisenhower, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Trump, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, George W. Bush, Barack Obama |
| Golf courses played by presidents | Augusta National, Cape Arundel Golf Club, Whistling Straits Golf Club, Traditions Club, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The Homestead, Cascades Course, St. Andrews, Ballybunion, Trump Turnberry, Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Trump International Golf Links Ireland, Champions Course at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami, Pinnacle Course at the Troon North Golf Club, Cascata, South Course at Mauna Lani Resort, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club |
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What You'll Learn
Dwight D. Eisenhower at Augusta National
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, had a long history with Augusta National Golf Club. He was personally invited to the club in 1948 by Clifford Roberts and became a member the same year. During his eight years as president, he visited Augusta National 29 times, and his trips were often lengthy.
Eisenhower's relationship with Augusta National was a mutually beneficial one. The club provided him with a serene sanctuary of rest and recuperation, while he generated unprecedented interest in golf, contributing to its mass appeal. Eisenhower was responsible for the creation of several landmarks at Augusta National. One of these was the Eisenhower Tree, a loblolly pine located on the 17th hole. The tree was named after Eisenhower due to his frequent collisions with it while playing golf. Although he unsuccessfully lobbied for its removal, the tree became an iconic fixture of the golf course, renowned as one of the most famous trees in American golf.
Another notable landmark is Ike's Pond, a fishing pond that Eisenhower suggested building during one of his walks through the woods on the eastern part of the grounds. The pond was named after the president and provided him with a tranquil spot for fishing.
To accommodate Eisenhower's visits as president, a cabin, known as the Eisenhower Cabin, was constructed on the grounds of Augusta National. The cabin was designed by local architect Lowrey Stulb and his firm, Eve and Stulb, in association with the Secret Service. It consisted of three floors, including a basement used by the Secret Service as their headquarters in Augusta. The cabin, resembling the other cabins on the property, offered views of Ike's Pond and the Par-3 Course. It was partly funded by the sale of building certificates to Augusta National members and served as a residence for Eisenhower during his visits to the club.
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George H.W. Bush at Whistling Straits Golf Club
Golf was a strong part of President George H.W. Bush's legacy. Bush, who served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993, was a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee. His father, Prescott Bush, and grandfather, George Herbert Walker, were former USGA presidents. Bush played in the 1998 grand opening of the Straits Course at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. He was also a founding member of the Traditions Club, a private club in Bryan, Texas, that allows some public access.
George H.W. Bush was a regular golfer and played at many prestigious golf clubs across the United States. He participated in multiple Bing Crosby Pro-Ams (now the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am) with rounds at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Poppy Hills Golf Course. In 1994, Bush played in the Wednesday pro-am at Firestone Country Club with Hale Irwin and PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. He was also named Ambassador of Golf by Northern Ohio Golf Charities in 1994.
In addition to his involvement with the game, Bush was recognized for his contributions to golf. In 1997, he received the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award and served as honorary chairman of a grow-the-game initiative for youngsters called The First Tee. In 2008, he became the third non-competitive golfer to earn the Bob Jones Award, which recognizes individuals who display distinguished sportsmanship and emulate the spirit of amateur golf. Bush also received the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
George H.W. Bush was also associated with the Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport, Maine, where his father won eight club championships. The Bush family hosts a charity tournament at this club every summer. Bush's love for golf was evident, and he once penned a piece titled, "I Hate Golf – I Love Golf!" expressing his complex emotions for the game.
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Bill Clinton at Champions Course, PGA National Resort & Spa
Bill Clinton, who served as President of the United States from 1993 to 2001, is known for his love of golf. He is said to have played more top 100-caliber courses than any other U.S. President. Clinton is the only president to have played both PGA Tour stops in South Florida, including the Champions Course at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.
The PGA National Resort & Spa is located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Clinton made a trip to the resort in 1995, his third year as President. He is said to have played the Champions Course, one of the two PGA Tour stops in South Florida. Clinton is also known to have played other top-tier courses, such as the Pinnacle Course at the Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Cascata near Las Vegas, and the South Course at Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaii Island.
Clinton's passion for golf extended beyond the course itself. He was the first sitting president to play a non-Pro Am round on the PGA Tour. His participation in golf tournaments attracted significant attention and even caused a stir among the locals. The security measures surrounding his arrival and attendance at these events were extensive and meticulously planned. Clinton's influence and presence in the Coachella Valley, where he played golf with Bob Hope in 1995, left a lasting impression on the community.
Clinton's golfing experiences also provided opportunities for him to connect with healthcare workers and community leaders. He met with approximately 100 healthcare workers at the Desert Regional Medical Center and discussed specific healthcare issues affecting the Coachella Valley. Additionally, Clinton hosted a breakfast for community leaders at the Desert AIDS Project, demonstrating his commitment to addressing health disparities in the region.
Clinton's golfing trips not only satisfied his passion for the sport but also created avenues for him to engage with local communities and advance important initiatives, leaving a lasting impact beyond the golf courses themselves.
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Donald Trump at Trump Turnberry
Trump Turnberry is a luxury golf resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland, owned by former US President Donald Trump. It features the Ailsa course, the King Robert the Bruce course, and the nine-hole Arran course. The Ailsa course has hosted The Open Championship on four occasions, as well as other notable tournaments such as the Women's British Open and the Senior Open Championship.
Donald Trump, an avid golfer, has played at his resort in Scotland on multiple occasions, including during a private visit in 2025, two years after his re-election. His visits have often been marked by protests and heightened security, with demonstrators voicing opposition to his politics and the costs involved in his visits.
Trump's association with Turnberry has been controversial. In 2018, during his first term as President, he faced criticism for attempting to use his position to influence the selection of Turnberry as the venue for the British Open. Following the 2021 Capitol attack, The R&A, the governing body for golf, stated that The Open would not be held at Turnberry as long as its links to the Trump Organization remain.
However, after Trump's victory in the 2024 US elections, the newly hired CEO of The R&A suggested that they were considering a potential return to Turnberry, sparking further debate. The financing for Trump's golf courses in Ireland and Scotland has also come under scrutiny, with investigations into potential conflicts of interest and Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.
Despite the controversies, Trump Turnberry remains a renowned golf destination with a rich history of hosting prestigious tournaments.
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Richard Nixon at The Homestead
Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was born on January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California. Nixon's childhood home, constructed from a kit ordered from the Sears catalogue, has been restored and is now part of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, which opened to the public in 1990. Nixon's early life in Yorba Linda was marked by challenges and supportive family relationships, which influenced his future pursuits in politics and leadership.
Nixon's upbringing was influenced by Quaker values, which included abstinence from alcohol, dancing, and swearing. He excelled academically, with his mother providing early schooling that helped him excel in his studies. He attended Yorba Linda Elementary School, where he was a star student, and later transferred to Fullerton Union High School, where he played junior varsity football and excelled in debating.
Nixon's family faced financial difficulties due to poor farming conditions, and his father took on outside jobs to supplement the family's income. Nixon himself worked hard to support his family, often rising early to drive the family truck to Los Angeles to purchase vegetables before school. Despite these challenges, Nixon went on to enrol at Whittier College in September 1930 and eventually became a senator in 1958.
During his time as a senator, Nixon stayed and played golf at The Homestead. He returned to The Homestead in 1960 when he was Vice President. Nixon became president in 1969 and travelled to Homestead Air Force Base over 50 times during his tenure, arranging to meet returning servicemen there. While Nixon faced challenges during his presidency, including the Watergate scandal, he is known for his courageous conduct and foreign policy expertise.
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Frequently asked questions
Barack Obama played at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina.
Donald Trump has played at the Trump Turnberry, Trump International Golf Links Scotland, and Trump International Golf Links Ireland.
George W. Bush played at the Cascades Course in May 2015.
Bill Clinton played at the Champions Course at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, and the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami.
Multiple presidents have played at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina.
