Golfing Presidents of the United States: A Presidential Perspective on the Green

President William Howard Taft was a significant trailblazer in the world of golf. As one of the earliest White House occupants to be enthusiastic about the sport, Taft helped raise its profile and expand its popularity in the United States. Despite his physically and politically heavyweight status, Taft was an avid golfer who embraced the sport during his time in office from 1909 to 1913. He regularly played at the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland, often accompanied by politicians and members of his cabinet. His passion for golf was contagious, and he encouraged others to take up the sport as well. Taft’s love for golf was not just a passing hobby. He was a true student of the game and worked diligently to improve his play. He even had a putting green installed on the White House South Lawn, which was the first time a president had done so. Taft’s devotion to golf did more than just bring him personal enjoyment. It helped raise the sport’s profile in the United States and contributed to its expansion and popularity. Taft’s legacy as a trailblazer in golf lives on to this day, as the sport remains a beloved pastime for millions of Americans.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, was not only an iconic political figure but also a golfing enthusiast. During his presidency from 1953 to 1961, Eisenhower took to the golf course as a means of relaxation and exercise. He played golf regularly and even went on to become a member of Augusta National Golf Club, home of the famous Masters tournament. Eisenhower’s dedication to golf was such that he installed a putting green on the White House lawn to practice his short game. He also had a net installed in the Oval Office, where he would hit balls and practice his swing during breaks in between meetings. The president’s enthusiasm for the sport was contagious and contributed greatly to its rise in popularity across the country. People from all walks of life started to take up the sport, and golf courses began to spring up across the country. Eisenhower’s love for golf was not just limited to playing the game. He was also an advocate for the sport and believed that it could help improve physical and mental health. Eisenhower’s passion for golf has left a lasting legacy, and he is still remembered as one of the most iconic golfing presidents in the nation’s history.

Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was a well-known golf enthusiast. During his two terms in office from 2009 to 2017, he played more than 300 rounds of golf, which reflects his passion for the sport. Golf was not only a way for him to relax and unwind, but it was also a way for him to connect with his peers, engage in diplomacy, and show his support for the sport. While some people praised him for finding solace and leisure on the fairways, others criticized him for playing too much. Obama, however, defended his love for golf, saying that it helped him to clear his head and make better decisions. He also saw it as a way to promote healthy living and break down racial barriers. Despite mixed reactions from the public and media, Obama’s passion for golf is well-known, and he is considered as one of the most prominent golfing presidents in recent memory. His love for the sport has also inspired others, and he has been known to give golf lessons to young students who are interested in the game. All in all, Obama’s legacy as the “Golfer-in-Chief” is an important part of his presidency and will always be remembered.

Handicap: “I don’t have a handicap…I’m all handicap.”

Fun Facts: That’s right, he didn’t have a handicap because he took about 400 swings for an 18-hole round and hit shots until he liked them. While he didn’t follow the rules, many of his political negotiations took place on the course, including the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibited discrimination.

Photo: Normal Dietel

Handicap: Not recorded, most likely 30+

Did you know that President Coolidge was not a skilled golfer? Despite this, he felt obligated to play and often scored double digits on almost every hole. In fact, he once scored an 11 on a 130-yard par 3. If he had played under today’s rules, he could have saved a few strokes with the net double bogey rule. Interestingly, when his term ended, he left his golf clubs in the White House.

Coolidge with Bobby Jones. Photo: Golfweek

Handicap: 25-30

Some interesting facts about a former president: He played 1,200 rounds of golf during his two terms. He even played on snow days with black painted golf balls. Despite all that practice, he rarely scored less than 100 and on one occasion he took 15 putts to finish a single hole. We should be grateful that nowadays we have a net double bogey to save us from such embarrassment.

Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Handicap: 22

Fun Facts: Harding was able to get out on the course twice a week, but often scored in the triple digits. Skill isn’t equivalent to accomplishment though as he and Wilson have courses named after them at Griffith Park Golf Club in Los Angeles, CA.

Photo: Everett Collection / Bridgeman Images

Handicap: 20

Fun Facts: While President McKinley made the first presidential putt, Taft was the first true golfing president.

Photo: Library of Congress

Handicap: 14-18

Did you know that former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a friend of Arnold Palmer and a member of Augusta National? He played golf every Wednesday in D.C. and even had a putting green installed on the lawn of the White House. If you’re a fan of Ike or just love golf, you can experience a similar experience at Industry Hills Golf Club in City of Industry, CA. The golf course named after Eisenhower has hosted U.S. Open Qualifiers and LPGA Tour events.

Photo: Sports Broadcast Journal

Handicap: 15 average, 10 at his best

Fun Facts: Bush didn’t play as much during his presidency as he gave up the game two years into his first term when the Iraq war began. After office, he established the Warrior Open to honor servicemen and at age 72, got his first hole-in-one in 2019.

Photo: @georgewbush Instagram

Handicap: “An honest 13.”

Fun Facts: Barack Obama was the first left-hander in the White House to play golf and played about 333 rounds during his eight years as president.

Photo: MEGA

Handicap: 12

Fun Facts: While he did build a 3-hole course at his own house, he ultimately gave up the game in his second term and even removed the putting green that Eisenhower installed at the White House.

Photo: AP IMAGE

Handicap: 12

Fun Facts: Ford was the first president to join the United States Golf Association (USGA) and was the honorary chairman of the first President’s Cup. He also once out drove Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

Photo: Golfweek

Handicap: 12, “I actually improved my handicap when I was in office. I was a probably a 16 when I came into the White House and a 12 when I left.”

Highlights: Clinton reinstalled the putting green that Nixon removed at the White House, hosted PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge in Palm Springs, and joined H.W. Bush, Bob Hope, and Ford in the Presidential Pro-Am. However, Clinton had the same tendencies as LBJ and often took mulligans on his first shot until he was satisfied, so the honesty in his handicap is questionable.

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Handicap: 11

Fun Facts: His father and grandfather served as president of the USGA, so it’s no wonder he became such a golf advocate. Bush was best known for his fast play he called “aerobic golf” and could finish an 18-hole round in an hour and 20 minutes. He was even inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Handicap: unknown, but shot in low 80s so estimated around an 8

Fun Facts: Although he didn’t play during his presidency, his golf highlights include a Club Champion title at his golf club in New Brunswick. FDR made a national impact on the game too as he funded public works projects which included the development of 300 municipal golf courses. He would later get his own municipal course named after him, the Roosevelt Executive Golf Course, in Los Angeles CA.

Photo: fdrlibrary.org

Handicap: 7

Fun Facts: JFK loved the game but kept his golf outings hidden from the media. Also a proponent of fast play, he often skipped around to different holes and rarely played a full round. This would make the validity of his handicap questionable, but according to the USGA, as long as he played 7 holes for a 9-hole round or 14 holes for an 18-hole round, his score would be acceptable for handicap purposes.

Photo: International Center of Photography

Handicap: 6.7, but hasn’t posted a round since 2018

Fun Facts: Biden is a member of two golf clubs in his hometown, Wilmington, Delaware, and picked up the game in 2001. During his Vice Presidency, he was often seen practicing on the putting green that Clinton reinstalled.

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Handicap: 2.8

Fun Facts: Ranked as the Oval Office’s best golfer, Trump has reportedly won 19 club championships and owns 19 golf courses worldwide. His impressive handicap is most likely due to consistent practice as he played nearly 300 rounds during his presidency.

Photo: New York Times