From the White House to the Clubhouse: Five Presidents and their golf legacies

Khaleej Times

8 hours ago

Shortly after Donald Trump inaugurated a new championship course at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland, not far from the Isle of Lewis where his mother was born, he also celebrated a personal victory across the Atlantic.
The 79-year-old, who has built elite golf destinations from Dubai to Aberdeenshire, won the 2025 Senior Men's Championship title at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, shooting a gross 69.
In a lifelong love affair with golf, Trump owns or manages around 15 golf properties globally, including international locations in Scotland, Ireland, and the UAE at DAMAC Hills.
However, Trump is not the only U.S. President who has used golf as a personal sanctuary away from the pressures of their high-stress role. Sixteen of the last nineteen American leaders have played the game, finding in it everything from stress relief to a platform for diplomacy.
Here are five modern leaders, including Trump, whose golfing passion became part of their presidential identity.
Trump's Low Handicap Legacy
Donald J. Trump is arguably the most golf-branded president in American history. With a reported handicap of 2.8, he holds the record for the lowest official handicap among American presidents. His recent victory at Bedminster was just the latest in a series of Senior Men's titles he's collected in recent seasons.
But beyond playing, Trump has helped shape the game globally through a luxury golf empire, including the acclaimed Trump International Golf Club in Dubai. a Gil Hanse-designed, links-style course at the heart of DAMAC Hills, the facility features everything from indoor swing hubs to a floodlit par-3 track.
At the White House, he famously invested $50,000 to upgrade the golf simulator, which underlines just how seriously he takes his game.
Eisenhower Elevated Presidential Golf
Long before Trump, Dwight D. Eisenhower helped usher golf into the political mainstream. During his two terms from 1953 to 1961, 'Ike' is believed to have played over 800 rounds of golf. A fixture at Augusta National, he even had a tree on the 17th hole named after him: the 'Eisenhower Tree.'
Eisenhower brought golf to the White House lawn with a putting green and regularly played with pros like seven-time major champion Arnold Palmer. While he never reached single-digit handicap status, Eisenhower did a lot to turn golf into a presidential pastime.
The Eisenhower Trophy, a world amateur team championship for men established in 1958, is named in his honor. The trophy reflects international cooperation in golf and celebrates Eisenhower's enduring influence on the sport.
JFK's Swift Golf Style
John F. Kennedy was known to have taken a swipe at Eisenhower's golf habits on the campaign trail, but once elected, he brought his own charm to the game.
Known for his athleticism, JFK reportedly had a single-digit handicap and was a former member of Harvard's golf team. He played his golf quickly and often in private, partly to avoid scrutiny, and partly due to back pain. Legend has it that he nearly aced the 16th hole at Cypress Point, Pebble Beach, California, where his approach shot hit the flagstick and settled tantalisingly inches from the cup.
Clinton's Playful Golf Legacy
Then there's Bill Clinton, whose love for golf was matched only by his 'flexible' interpretation of the rules. His presidency from 1993 to 2001 was filled with quick rounds and an informal style that often prioritised pace and enjoyment over disciplined scorekeeping.
Post-presidency, Clinton remained active in the sport, even hosting PGA Tour events like the American Express Desert Classic (formerly Career Builder Challenge). Though left-handed in daily life, he interestingly played golf right-handed.
Clinton is also recognised as one of the most prestigious guests to have played at Emirates Golf Club, a visit that underscores the club's reputation as a world-class destination that has welcomed royalty, global leaders, and high-profile figures from around the world.
Obama's Signature Swing
Barack Obama, the nation's 44th president, brought his trademark cool efficiency to the game. A left-handed player with an admirably fluid swing, he was known to tee it up every 9.5 days during his time in office.
Often spotted at military clubs like the Army Navy Country Club, at Arlington, Virginia, Obama mostly played solo or with close advisers. He even had custom Titleist balls stamped with 'POTUS' and '44.'
These personalised golf balls weren't unique to Obama, though. According to the book First Off the Tee: Presidential Hackers, Duffers and Cheaters from Taft to Bush, former Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush also played with golf balls featuring their own signature or presidential seal.
Arguably, golf has long offered U.S. Presidents more than just recreation; it has been a quiet stage for reflection.
Fittingly, this deep-rooted presidential connection to the game is echoed in the Presidents Cup, a prestigious international competition launched in 1994 that showcases the United States against a team from the rest of the world (excluding Europe). Held every two years, the event mirrors the spirit of global competition and leadership, values often associated with the Oval Office in the White House itself.