Roosevelt (1933-45): Before he contracted polio at age 39, Roosevelt was an avid and accomplished golfer. When successor Herbert Hoover moved into the White House, the only thing said to be left behind were Coolidge's bag of clubs.įranklin D. His primary legacy to the game: The outstanding TPC Harding Park golf course in San Francisco, which was named after him.Ĭalvin Coolidge (1923-29): With golf's popularity surging during his tenure, Coolidge played out of obligation and his game reflected it as he usually required double-digit shots on each hole. Harding (1921-23): Played twice a week, but wasn't very good, often scoring in triple digits. Arteriosclerosis limited his game along with two minor strokes, which he suffered before entering office. But all that golf never helped Wilson improve as he rarely broke 100. He even had balls painted black so he could play in the snow. Cary Grayson, Wilson played as much as possible, logging more than 1,000 rounds while in office. Woodrow Wilson (1913-21): Under orders of his doctor and playing partner Dr. While in office, Taft celebrated the completion of the Connecticut Avenue bridge over Rock Creek Park because it allowed him quicker access to the Chevy Chase Club. William Taft (1909-13): was a 20 handicap and - to the chagrin of his playing companions - was said to always play out every hole. In chronological order, here's a brief look at each of the presidential golfers - their games and their contributions to the sport. He has the same right to relax from the heavy burdens of office as any man." Truman, however, did win over golfers with this spirited defense of Eisenhower: "To criticize the president because he plays a game of golf is unfair and picayunish. And only three presidents since - Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, and Jimmy Carter - didn't. The first president to play was William Howard Taft. But he just took it to another level, amassing approximately 800 rounds in his eight years in office. The president best known for his golf addiction was Dwight Eisenhower, and many are under the impression that he was the first Chief Executive to play. Little wonder that in a 2005 survey asking readers, "If you could have played golf with any president, who would it be?" Clinton (30 percent) was the winner, followed by John Kennedy (24 percent) and George W. He hunches over the golf cart steering wheel, manages the course and takes an abbreviated, chicken-wing swipe. But Obama doesn't seem to have as much fun in his cargo shorts. On the course in an era of prosperity, Clinton lived large, puffing cigars, kicking back in his cart, gripping-and-ripping from his heels and reloading on wild shots. While the rounds of Bill Clinton were seen as a healthy respite from the stresses of the Oval Office, those of Obama seemed to fall under greater scrutiny. Mencken: "If I had my way, no man guilty of golf would be eligible to hold any office of trust or profit under these United States." You can tell a lot about a president's popularity by the way his golf outings are perceived. But sniping at Chief Executives for hitting the course has long been a sport in itself.Ĭonsider this from H.L. Gulp.Įarlier in the day, POTUS began the day with a workout at his rented Chilmark retreat, then played some tennis with First Lady Michelle Obama, according to White House spokesguy Bill Burton.President Barack Obama took considerable heat for playing golf. We’re told Marvin, a former caddie, has a 2-handicap. The prez, wearing dark brown slacks, a black shirt, khaki cap and saddle oxford golf shoes, is golfing at the semi-private club with UBS Investment Bank President Robert Wolf and Chicago physician Eric Whitaker, and White House travel aide Marvin Nicholson. He told the group that his daughters, Malia and Sasha, were swimming while he hit the links. “Good to see you,” Obama said to a cheering crowd as he passed. Undaunted, he waved to the crowd and greeted a gaggle of gawkers as he strode to fetch his wayward ball. The Leader of the Free World, who was cheered when he stepped out to swing, sliced it into the woods after a 180-yard drive. OAK BLUFFS – President Obama is playing 18 on Farm Neck Golf Club today, but if his tee-off was any indication, it’s going to be a long day!
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