Jackson Reid
Golfing is a popular pastime for US presidents, with 17 of the last 20 presidents actively playing the game. Some leaders have been more enthusiastic than others, with Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Woodrow Wilson all known to enjoy a round of golf. Trump, in particular, has been criticised for the amount of time he has spent on the golf course, with some estimating that his golfing trips have cost taxpayers millions of dollars. While it is a hobby that has been embraced by many presidents, it is also a point of contention, with critics arguing that time spent on the golf course takes away from the time that should be devoted to presidential duties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Nickname | General Ike |
| Number of rounds played | 800 |
| Other notable golfers | FDR, Harding, Nixon, Gerald Ford, Bush Sr., Donald Trump, Joe Biden |
| Presidents who took lessons from Max Elbin | Reagan |
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What You'll Learn
Presidents who played the most golf
Golf is a sport that has long been associated with the US presidency, with 17 of the last 20 presidents actively playing the game. Some have even made significant contributions to the sport.
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, was a focused and intense golfer, just as he was with his work. He was considered a "good loop" by caddies, who noted that he treated them with courtesy. However, he was not a particularly skilled golfer, with poor putting due to his poor eyesight.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, or FDR, was a passionate golfer. He became the club champion at Campobello Island Golf Club in New Brunswick, Canada, while in college. Unfortunately, he had to give up the game after contracting polio at the age of 39. Despite this, he left a legacy with the federal funding of public works projects, which included dozens of municipal golf courses.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, affectionately known as "General Ike," is arguably one of the most ardent golfer-presidents. He was a member of the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club and had a putting green installed on the White House grounds. During his eight years in office, he is estimated to have played more than 800 rounds of golf, making him America's golfer-in-chief.
More recently, Donald Trump has been criticised for the amount of time he spent golfing during his presidency. TrumpGolfCount.com claims that he made 285 daytime visits to golf clubs during his presidency, with evidence of him playing on at least 142 occasions as of November 2020. Trump's love for golf has also influenced American diplomacy, as he has played with foreign leaders such as Shinzō Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan. Trump has reportedly won 19 club championships and owns 19 golf courses worldwide.
Other golfing presidents include Barack Obama, who played about 333 rounds during his eight years in office, Gerald Ford, who was the first president to join the US Golf Association, and George H. W. Bush, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for his dedication to the game.
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Golfing presidents' handicap indexes
Golf is a hobby that has gone hand in hand with being the leader of the United States. 17 of the last 20 presidents have actively played the game. Some made significant contributions to the sport, while others were happy to leave it behind after their term concluded.
While some presidents didn't keep track of their scores or play by the rules, making their handicap indexes difficult to calculate, others were keen golfers with impressive handicaps. Here's a look at some golfing presidents' handicap indexes:
Woodrow Wilson
Wilson's caddies reported that he played a good or fair game of golf, scoring in the 100s for 18 holes, which was probably an accurate analysis of the average player's game at the time. However, they noted that his putting was horrible, which was likely due to his poor eyesight. Wilson's poor vision also affected his peripheral vision, which made it difficult for him to see the putter head when he started his stroke back. Despite this challenge, Wilson enjoyed golf as a break from the pressures of his job, and it was reported that he treated caddies with courtesy.
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy had a healthier-than-expected handicap of 7, despite dealing with a bad back.
Donald Trump
Trump holds the record for the lowest handicap among White House dwellers, with his best reportedly sitting at 2.8, an impressive score for any golfer. Trump's fondness for the game is well-known, and his Trump Organization owns 17 golf courses globally.
Joe Biden
Biden is also a golfer and sports a handicap index of 6.3, which is pretty good, especially considering he only took up the game 20 years ago when he was 57.
Gerald Ford
Ford was a much better golfer than most people know, regularly breaking 90. He was the first president to join the US Golf Association and had a handicap of 12.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower was an avid golfer, reputed to have played over 800 rounds during his two terms. As a member of Augusta National, he frequently played with golf legend Arnold Palmer, but he didn't have a single-digit handicap.
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Presidents who played golf during their term
Golfing is a hobby that has gone hand-in-hand with the U.S. presidency, with 17 of the last 20 presidents actively playing the game. Some presidents have been avid golfers, while others have been content with leaving the game behind once their term concluded.
One of the most well-known golfing presidents is Donald Trump, who played about 300 rounds of golf during his term in office, with some sources placing the number at 310 rounds. Trump's love for the game has even influenced American diplomacy, with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe playing golf with him five times, and the President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol taking up the game to benefit his country. Trump has also been criticised for the amount of time he spent golfing, with his trips costing taxpayers an estimated $142 million.
Another president who was passionate about golf was Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). FDR was a notoriously keen golfer and became the club champion at Campobello Island Golf Club in New Brunswick, Canada. He often played with other politicians in Washington but had to give up the game after contracting polio at the age of 39. Roosevelt left a legacy of federal funding for public works projects, which included dozens of municipal golf courses.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, or "General Ike", is also considered one of the most ardent golfer-presidents, having been a member of the Augusta National Golf Club. He had a putting green installed on the White House grounds and is estimated to have played more than 800 rounds during his eight years in office.
Other golfing presidents include Barack Obama, who played about 333 rounds during his eight years in office, Gerald Ford, who was the first president to join the US Golf Association, Richard Nixon, who gave up the game during his second term, George H. W. Bush, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, and Joe Biden, who took up the game at the age of 57.
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Golf's influence on presidential diplomacy
Golf has been a significant aspect of several US presidents' lives, with some even claiming it to be their passion. The sport has served as a means of relaxation, diplomacy, and competition for these leaders. While some critics view it as a waste of time, others believe it is essential for the president to take a break from the pressures of the job.
The influence of golf on presidential diplomacy, often referred to as "golf diplomacy," has been notable in several instances. One of the pioneers of golf diplomacy, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, held informal negotiations with various world leaders, including Winston Churchill, Saudi Arabia's King Saud, and Queen Elizabeth II, on the golf course. These meetings yielded tangible diplomatic outcomes and helped strengthen alliances. Eisenhower's love for the game also influenced its popularity in the US during the 1950s.
Another president closely associated with golf is Donald Trump. Trump's passion for the sport has led him to acquire and construct golf courses worldwide, with 17 courses to his name by 2016. Trump's love for golf has also impacted American diplomacy. For instance, he played golf with Shinzō Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, five times, which helped foster a personal connection between the two leaders. Additionally, Trump's victory in the 2024 election reportedly influenced President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea to take up golf again to benefit his country's relationship with the US.
Other presidents who have been avid golfers include John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Kennedy, despite chronic back pain, had one of the best golf swings of any president, and Ford was known for his wild shots that occasionally hit spectators. Reagan, who took up the game later in life, enjoyed playing at prestigious courses, and Bush Sr. was known for his dedication to the sport, earning him a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Clinton played in many charity rounds, and Obama played over 300 rounds during his presidency.
Golf has provided a means of relaxation and stress relief for these leaders, allowing them to step away from the pressures of the presidency and engage in a competitive and enjoyable activity. It has also served as a tool for diplomatic engagement and relationship-building with other world leaders.
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Presidents who golfed at the White House
Several US presidents have been avid golfers, with the sport often intertwined with their White House duties. One of the most notable golfing presidents was Dwight Eisenhower, nicknamed "General Ike", who is arguably one of the most passionate golfers to have held office. During his eight years in office, he is estimated to have played over 800 rounds of golf, even installing a putting green at the White House. Eisenhower's vice president, Richard Nixon, also took up the game, playing with celebrities such as Bob Hope and Fred MacMurray.
Another president known for his love of golf was Donald Trump, who played regularly at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Trump played approximately 310 rounds of golf during his presidency, often conducting business on the course. President Joe Biden is also a keen golfer, taking up the game at the age of 57 and achieving a handicap index of 6.3.
Woodrow Wilson was another president who enjoyed golf, seeing it as a necessary break from the pressures of office. Wilson's predecessor, William Howard Taft, talked about golf frequently, and the press often depicted him with his large handlebar moustache. Warren Harding was also a golfer, leaving his mark on the game with the TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, despite his limited ability.
Other golfing presidents include Gerald Ford, who was the first president to join the US Golf Association, and George H.W. Bush, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and insisted on playing "speed golf", completing rounds in under three hours. Reagan also golfed, although he curtailed his playing after a disastrous weekend in December 1986, during which Hezbollah terrorists bombed the Marine headquarters in Beirut.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that former President Eisenhower played over 800 rounds of golf during his eight years in office, making him America's golfer-in-chief.
17 of the last 20 presidents actively played golf. Some of the most notable include Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, Harding, Nixon, Wilson, George H. W. Bush, and FDR.
Golf has played a significant role in presidential 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. Additionally, many of former President Coolidge's political negotiations took place on the golf course, including the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.
