Which President Played the Most Golf? Complete Rankings & Surprising Statistics

The Presidential Golf Tradition: America’s Favorite Presidential Pastime

While Donald Trump’s frequent golf outings dominated headlines during his presidency, he’s far from the record holder. The president who played the most golf might surprise you and it’s not who most people think.

Woodrow Wilson holds the definitive record as the U.S. president who played the most golf, with an estimated 1,200 to 1,600 rounds during his eight-year presidency from 1913 to 1921. To put this in perspective, Wilson played golf nearly every single day except Sundays, averaging one round every 2-3 days throughout his entire presidency.​

This remarkable figure dwarfs modern presidents like Trump and Obama, despite the intense media scrutiny surrounding their golf habits. In fact, 17 of the last 19 U.S. presidents have played golf, making it one of the most enduring traditions in White House history.​ A sport that has evolved from exclusive country clubs to being featured as an Olympic sport representing nations worldwide.

Throughout this article, we’ll explore the complete rankings of which president played the most rounds of golf, examine the fascinating stories behind presidential golf obsessions, compare modern versus historical playing habits, and answer the question that’s been searched thousands of times: which US president played the most golf in history?

Presidential Golf Rankings: Most Rounds Played in Office

Before diving into the details, here’s how the top golf-playing presidents compare by total rounds during their time in office. This comprehensive comparison reveals some surprising patterns about which president has played the most golf throughout American history. Understanding what a handicap means in golf helps contextualize the skill levels listed in these presidential rankings.

Complete Presidential Golf Statistics

Key Takeaway: Woodrow Wilson’s record of 1,200-1,600 rounds remains untouchable. Even if Donald Trump continues playing at his current rate through a full second term, he would need to serve approximately 16 years as president to match Wilson’s total making this one presidential record that’s unlikely to ever be broken.

The Record Holder: Woodrow Wilson’s Golf Obsession

Wilson’s Unprecedented Golf Routine

When people ask which president played golf the most, the answer is definitively Woodrow Wilson. But the story behind his extraordinary golf habit is even more fascinating than the numbers suggest.

According to USGA historian Mike Trostel, Wilson “played nearly every day but Sunday” a religious observance he maintained throughout his presidency. Wilson’s unprecedented playing frequency is well-documented in History.com’s comprehensive profile of presidential leisure activities during wartime. This routine continued even during World War I, when many critics questioned whether the president should be playing golf while American soldiers fought overseas.​

The numbers are staggering: Wilson’s estimated 1,200 to 1,600 rounds over eight years translates to approximately 150-200 rounds annually. To understand just how remarkable this is, consider that Wilson played more golf in a single year than George W. Bush played during his entire eight-year presidency.

The Health Prescription That Started It All

Wilson didn’t become a golfer until relatively late in life he took up the sport at age 55, shortly before becoming president. The driving force behind his golf obsession was his personal physician, Dr. Cary T. Grayson, who prescribed regular golf as essential exercise for Wilson’s health.​

Dr. Grayson believed golf provided the perfect combination of physical activity and mental relaxation that Wilson desperately needed. The therapeutic benefits of golf that Dr. Grayson recognized are supported by modern research, as detailed in studies archived by the National Institutes of Health on golf and cardiovascular health. The sport offered cardiovascular exercise without being overly strenuous, fresh air, and perhaps most importantly, mental focus that drew Wilson’s attention away from the enormous pressures of leading the nation.

Wilson himself explained the appeal: “Golf requires your whole attention and that draws your mind away from other things”. For a president managing World War I, peace negotiations, and the creation of the League of Nations, this mental escape proved invaluable.​

Playing Through World War I: Controversy and Red Golf Balls

Wilson’s determination to maintain his golf routine created significant controversy, particularly during World War I. Critics argued that the president shouldn’t be playing a leisurely game while American soldiers faced death in European trenches.

Yet Wilson never stopped playing. Moreover, he refused to let even winter weather interrupt his routine. In one of presidential golf’s most famous stories, Wilson had golf balls painted bright red so he could continue playing when snow covered the ground. Secret Service agents would follow him around the course, helping retrieve the red balls from snowdrifts.​

This image the President of the United States trudging through snow to hit red golf balls while managing a global war perfectly captures Wilson’s unwavering commitment to his daily golf ritual.

Wilson’s Golf Skill Level: Quantity Over Quality

Here’s an ironic twist: which president played the most rounds of golf was also one of the worst golfers among presidents. Wilson rarely broke 100 and typically scored around 115 a score that would be considered poor even for casual recreational players.​ To put this in perspective, understanding par in golf reveals that most courses have a par of 70-72, meaning Wilson typically scored 40+ strokes over par.

But Wilson didn’t play for competition or skill development. He played for health, stress relief, and mental escape. His caddies and playing partners noted that he seemed to care little about his score, focusing instead on the rhythm of the game and the time outdoors.

The End of an Era

Wilson’s golf career came to an abrupt end in October 1919 when he suffered a severe stroke that left him partially paralyzed. The stroke occurred just months after he returned from negotiating the Treaty of Versailles, and many historians believe the stress of the peace negotiations and his exhausting nationwide tour promoting the League of Nations contributed to his collapse.​

After the stroke, Wilson never played golf again. His eight-year run as America’s most prolific presidential golfer ended, leaving a record that has stood for over a century and will almost certainly never be broken.

The Runner-Up: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Golf Legacy

Eisenhower’s Golf Statistics

While Woodrow Wilson holds the all-time record for which US president played the most golf, Dwight D. Eisenhower comes in a distant but respectable second place. Ike played approximately 800 rounds during his eight years as president (1953-1961), averaging about 100 rounds per year.​

Unlike Wilson, who played purely for health reasons, Eisenhower genuinely loved golf. He was a skilled player with a handicap ranging from 14 to 18 solid recreational golfer territory. His passion for the game helped transform presidential golf from a quirky habit into an accepted part of American political culture.​

The White House Putting Green: A Lasting Legacy

Perhaps Eisenhower’s most enduring contribution to presidential golf came in 1954 when he installed a putting green on the White House South Lawn. The White House putting green’s design and installation are detailed in the National Park Service’s historical documentation of White House grounds modifications, which oversees the President’s Park. Designed by USGA official Al Radko, this putting green allowed Eisenhower to practice his short game without leaving the White House grounds.​

The green still exists today, though President Clinton moved its location in 1995 when he had Robert Trent Jones Jr. redesign the space. Nixon had removed it during his presidency, but George H.W. Bush reinstalled it in 1991. Today, presidents can step outside the Oval Office and practice putting whenever they need a brief mental break.​

This innovation made presidential golf more practical and cost-effective. Instead of requiring Secret Service motorcades, Air Force One flights, and course closures, presidents could simply walk outside for a quick putting session a far cry from the multi-million dollar golf trips that would come decades later.

Augusta National: Eisenhower’s Second Home

Eisenhower’s relationship with Augusta National Golf Club became legendary, a connection thoroughly documented in Golf Digest’s historical feature on presidential members at Augusta National. Augusta represents the pinnacle of links-style golf course design, though it’s technically a parkland course with Scottish design influences that shaped modern championship golf. He was close friends with Clifford Roberts, the club’s co-founder, and the club built a private cabin on the property for Eisenhower’s use a structure that still exists and is known as the “Eisenhower Cabin”.​

But perhaps the most famous story involves a tree. A loblolly pine on the 17th hole repeatedly blocked Eisenhower’s shots, frustrating the president to no end. At a club meeting in 1956, Eisenhower formally proposed that the tree be cut down. Roberts, seeing disaster ahead, quickly adjourned the meeting before any vote could take place.​

The tree remained standing and became known as the “Eisenhower Tree” a beloved Augusta National landmark that stood for nearly 60 more years until an ice storm destroyed it in 2014. Today, the spot where the tree stood remains one of the course’s most photographed locations.

Golf Diplomacy: Ike and Arnold Palmer

Eisenhower didn’t just play golf he used it to shape American culture. His friendship with Arnold Palmer, one of golf’s first television superstars, helped popularize the sport among middle-class Americans. When average Americans saw their president playing golf with the charismatic Palmer, golf began shedding its reputation as an elitist country club sport.​

This cultural shift cannot be overstated. Before Eisenhower, golf was largely seen as a game for wealthy businessmen. After Eisenhower, golf became an American pastime accessible, aspirational, and presidential.

Modern Era: Trump vs. Obama Golf Comparison

The Modern Debate: Which President Played the Most Golf Recently?

When people search for which president played the most golf in 2025 or recent years, they’re typically asking about the Trump-Obama comparison. For those new to golf, our beginner’s golf guide explains the basics of what makes this sport so appealing to leaders and millions of Americans. This debate dominated political discussions throughout Trump’s presidency and continues today during his second term.

The numbers tell a complex story that depends on how you measure: by total rounds, by rate per year, or by taxpayer cost.

Donald Trump’s Golf Record

Donald Trump visited golf courses over 300 times during his first term (2017-2021), with documented rounds on at least 266 occasions. During his 2025 second term, he has continued this pattern, maintaining one of the highest golf rates per year of any modern president.​

Trump’s key statistics:

• Total rounds (first term): 300+

• Average per year: 75+ rounds

• Courses played: Primarily his own properties (Mar-a-Lago, Trump National Golf Clubs)

• Claimed handicap: 2.8 (disputed by golf journalists)​

• Days at golf properties: 298 days during first term ​

As the only U.S. president to own golf courses with 17 to 19 courses worldwide Trump’s golf habits created unique controversies. He frequently played at his own properties, raising questions about whether taxpayer-funded presidential trips were benefiting his private businesses.​

The 2016 Tweets That Aged Poorly

The Trump-Obama golf comparison became particularly ironic given Trump’s 2016 campaign rhetoric. Trump repeatedly criticized President Obama’s golf playing, tweeting statements like “I’m not going to have time to go play golf” if elected president.​

In reality, Trump played golf at a rate 138% higher than Obama during comparable periods in office. This dramatic reversal from campaign promises to presidential reality became a focal point for critics throughout Trump’s first term.​

Barack Obama’s Golf Record

Barack Obama played 333 rounds of golf during his eight years in office (2009-2017), averaging approximately 42 rounds per year. This made him a frequent golfer by modern standards, though far from Wilson’s historical record.​

Obama’s key statistics:

• Total rounds: 333 (verified by CBS News’ Mark Knoller)

• Average per year: 42 rounds

• Primary location: Andrews Air Force Base (military-controlled course)

• Handicap: 13-18 range ​

• Historic note: First left-handed president golfer ​

Obama’s golf style differed significantly from Trump’s. He primarily played at Andrews Air Force Base, a military installation where security was already established. This approach reduced costs compared to closing down private courses and reduced the visual spectacle of presidential golf trips.

The Head-to-Head Comparison

Let’s break down the Trump vs. Obama golf comparison by the numbers:

The verdict: While Obama played more total rounds, Trump played at a significantly higher rate per year. If Trump completes a full second term (2025-2029), he will likely surpass Obama’s total, making him the most prolific golf-playing president of the modern era.

However, neither comes close to answering which president has played the most golf in absolute terms that distinction still belongs to Woodrow Wilson by a massive margin.

The Cost Factor

Perhaps the most significant difference lies in taxpayer costs. Trump’s frequent trips to his private golf resorts required extensive Secret Service protection, Air Force One flights, and presidential motorcades. The estimated cost of Trump’s golf trips during his first term exceeded $141 million.​ Presidential travel costs are tracked and analyzed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a nonpartisan watchdog organization that monitors government spending.

Obama’s preference for Andrews Air Force Base already a secured military installation resulted in lower per-trip costs despite playing more total rounds. This cost differential became a major talking point for Trump’s critics, especially given his 2016 campaign promises to work too hard for golf.

Skill vs. Volume: Who Was the Best Golfer President?

A Critical Distinction

When people ask which president played golf the most, they’re asking about quantity. But there’s an equally interesting question: which president was the best at golf?

The answer reveals an important truth: playing the most golf doesn’t make you the best golfer. From perfecting your golf swing to mastering proper grip technique, skill development requires deliberate practice rather than just volume. In fact, the president who played the most rounds (Wilson) was one of the worst players, while the best golfer president (Kennedy) played relatively few public rounds.

The Lowest Handicap: Presidential Golf Champions

1. John F. Kennedy: The Best Golfer President (7 Handicap)

John F. Kennedy holds the distinction as the most skilled golfer to occupy the Oval Office, with a single-digit handicap of 7. This puts him at a near-professional skill level single-digit handicaps represent the top 5% of all golfers.​ Kennedy’s athletic prowess extended beyond golf, as documented in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum’s sports and recreation archives, which house photos and records of his Harvard golf team days.

JFK played on the Harvard University golf team and maintained his skills throughout his life. However, he largely kept his golf playing private for two reasons: he didn’t want comparisons to Eisenhower (whose frequent golf had become a political issue), and he suffered from chronic back pain from WWII injuries that made extended golf difficult.​

Kennedy’s friendship with Arnold Palmer was well-known, but they rarely played together publicly. Those who did play with JFK noted his smooth swing, strategic course management, and competitive spirit all hallmarks of a genuinely skilled golfer. Modern players can develop similar fundamentals by learning how to properly hit a golf ball with consistency and accuracy.

2. Donald Trump: 2.8 Handicap (Disputed)

Trump claims a 2.8 handicap, which would make him the lowest-handicap president in history and place him at near-scratch golfer level. If accurate, this would represent truly exceptional skill.​ To understand how impressive or questionable this number is, readers can explore what golf handicaps mean and how they’re calculated, or even calculate their own handicap for comparison.

However, this figure remains highly disputed. Golf journalist Rick Reilly extensively documented Trump’s alleged score manipulation in his book “Commander in Cheat,” including claims that Trump uses the “Vanishing Ball Trick,” improves his lies, and records scores significantly better than what playing partners observe.​

What’s undisputed: Trump is a frequent player with extensive course access who has developed legitimate skills over decades of playing. His actual handicap likely falls somewhere in the single digits, making him a strong player regardless of the exact number.

3. Joe Biden: 6.7 Handicap (Peak)

President Biden’s peak golf handicap of 6.7 would place him among the best presidential golfers. However, he has played significantly less golf as president compared to his vice presidency years, and his current skill level is unknown.​

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt: 8 Handicap (Before Polio)

Before contracting polio, FDR was an excellent golfer with an 8 handicap. He played frequently at the family’s Campobello Island resort. Tragically, his 1921 polio diagnosis ended his golfing career, though he remained an enthusiastic supporter of the sport.​

5. Gerald Ford: 12 Handicap

Despite his reputation for errant shots Bob Hope famously joked that “Gerald Ford made golf a contact sport” after Ford repeatedly hit spectators Gerald Ford was actually a solid golfer with a 12 handicap.​

Ford’s athletic background (he played college football at the University of Michigan) translated to golf, and he became the first sitting president to join the USGA. His reputation for wayward shots came more from high-profile incidents than typical play.

The Golf Skill Rankings

Here’s how presidents rank by pure golf skill (handicap):

1. John F. Kennedy – 7 handicap ⭐

2. Joe Biden – 6.7 handicap (peak)

3. Donald Trump – 2.8 claimed / ~8-10 estimated

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt – 8 handicap (pre-polio)

5. George H.W. Bush – 11 handicap

6. Bill Clinton – 12 handicap

7. Gerald Ford – 12 handicap

8. Barack Obama – 13-18 handicap

9. Dwight D. Eisenhower – 14-18 handicap

10. Woodrow Wilson – Poor (~115 score average)

The takeaway: JFK remains the gold standard for presidential golf skill, while Wilson’s record for quantity will likely never be broken. These represent two different forms of presidential golf excellence one measured in handicap strokes, the other in dedication and sheer volume.

Presidential Golf History Timeline: From Taft to Today

How Golf Became a Presidential Tradition

To fully understand which US president has played the most golf, we need to examine how golf became embedded in presidential culture. The story spans over a century and reveals changing American attitudes toward presidential leisure, exercise, and public image.

1909: William Howard Taft Opens the Door

William Howard Taft became the first U.S. president to play golf, beginning the tradition in 1909. This was a controversial decision. In the early 20th century America is explored in Britannica’s comprehensive history of golf in the United States, which examines how the sport evolved from exclusive clubs to public accessibility. Golf was seen as an elitist sport played exclusively at private country clubs by wealthy businessmen.​ A perception that has gradually shifted as golf equipment and course access have become more democratized over the past century.

Critics attacked Taft for playing a “rich man’s game” while ordinary Americans worked. Newspapers ran cartoons depicting the rotund Taft on golf courses instead of in the Oval Office. The controversy foreshadowed debates that would continue for the next century.

1913-1921: The Wilson Era Establishes the Norm

When Woodrow Wilson took office in 1913, he immediately embraced golf and did so with unprecedented frequency. By playing nearly every day for eight years, Wilson normalized presidential golf despite ongoing criticism.​

Wilson’s 1,200-1,600 rounds established golf as an accepted presidential activity. After Wilson, it became almost expected that presidents would play golf. The question was no longer “Should presidents play golf?” but rather “How much is too much?”

1920s-1940s: Golf Becomes Standard

Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover all played golf with varying frequency during the 1920s and early 1930s. Franklin D. Roosevelt played before his polio diagnosis in 1921 but couldn’t continue afterward.

Harry S. Truman notably did not play golf, breaking the pattern briefly. But Truman’s avoidance of the sport proved to be the exception rather than the new rule.

1953-1961: Eisenhower Popularizes Presidential Golf

Dwight D. Eisenhower transformed presidential golf from an accepted activity to a cultural phenomenon. His installation of the White House putting green in 1954 made golf visibly part of the presidency.​

More importantly, Eisenhower’s friendship with Arnold Palmer and his public displays of golf passion helped democratize the sport. When Americans saw their war hero president playing golf, the sport’s elitist stigma began to fade.

1961-1963: Kennedy’s Private Approach

John F. Kennedy, the most skilled presidential golfer, deliberately kept his golf playing private. Kennedy’s advisors worried that frequent golf photos would invite comparisons to Eisenhower, whose golf had sometimes been used to suggest he wasn’t working hard enough.​

Additionally, Kennedy suffered from chronic back pain from his WWII PT-109 injuries, making extended golf physically challenging. He played primarily in private, often at exclusive clubs where media access was limited.

1969-1974: Nixon’s Home Course

Richard Nixon took a unique approach: he had a three-hole golf course built at his San Clemente, California home. This allowed him to play without media coverage or public scrutiny. Nixon also notably removed the White House putting green that Eisenhower had installed.​

1989-1993: Bush Reinstalls the Putting Green

George H.W. Bush reinstalled the White House putting green in 1991, restoring Eisenhower’s innovation. Bush became famous as the fastest-playing president, regularly completing 18 holes in under two hours a stark contrast to Bill Clinton, who would later be known for 5+ hour rounds.​

1995: The Clinton Redesign

Bill Clinton moved the White House putting green’s location in 1995, having it redesigned by famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.. Clinton played an estimated 400+ rounds during his presidency, often using golf for political negotiations and relationship building.​

Clinton became infamous in golf circles for taking “mulligans” (do-over shots) and playing extremely slow rounds. In golf terminology, a mulligan is a second chance shot taken without penalty and Clinton reportedly took many of them. Our comprehensive guide explains what a mulligan is in golf, including when it’s acceptable to take one and the etiquette surrounding this common practice.

2001-2009: Bush’s Wartime Golf Ban

George W. Bush made a dramatic decision in 2003: he stopped playing golf during the Iraq War. In an interview, Bush explained: “Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal.”​

Bush’s decision to step away from golf lasted through the remainder of his presidency. He played only 24 rounds total during eight years by far the fewest of any modern president. This principled stance earned respect even from political opponents who disagreed with his war policies.

2009-2017: The Obama Years

Barack Obama played 333 rounds during his eight years in office, becoming the first left-handed president golfer. Obama faced consistent Republican criticism for his golf playing, particularly from future president Donald Trump.​

Obama primarily played at Andrews Air Force Base and used golf for political relationship-building, including rounds with Republican Speaker John Boehner. His approach balanced presidential golf tradition with security and cost concerns.

2017-2025: The Trump Era

Donald Trump brought presidential golf to unprecedented levels of media attention. His frequent visits to his own golf properties, combined with his 2016 campaign criticism of Obama’s golf, created intense scrutiny.​

Trump’s 300+ rounds in four years, estimated $141 million in taxpayer costs, and continuation of frequent golf during his 2025 second term have made him the defining figure in modern presidential golf debates.​

The Evolution: From Elitism to Expectation

The timeline reveals a clear evolution: what began as controversial elitism in 1909 has become an expected part of presidential life in 2025. The question today isn’t whether presidents should play golf, but rather how much is appropriate and how much it should cost taxpayers.

Wilson’s record of 1,200-1,600 rounds, set over a century ago, remains the answer to which president played the most rounds of golf a record that seems permanent barring dramatic changes in presidential lifestyle.

Why Presidents Play Golf: Politics, Diplomacy, and Stress Relief

The Real Reasons Behind Presidential Golf

Understanding why presidents play so much golf helps answer the deeper question behind “which president played the most golf?” The sport offers unique benefits that few other activities can provide for the most powerful person in the world.

Stress Management and Mental Health

Presidential stress is unlike any other pressure in human experience. The weight of nuclear codes, life-and-death military decisions, economic policies affecting millions, and constant media scrutiny creates psychological burdens that few can imagine.

Golf offers a unique form of stress relief that Woodrow Wilson’s physician, Dr. Cary T. Grayson, understood over a century ago when he prescribed daily golf for Wilson’s health. As Wilson himself explained: “Golf requires your whole attention and that draws your mind away from other things”.​

Modern psychology confirms this wisdom. Golf demands complete mental focus reading greens, calculating distances, managing course strategy that temporarily displaces presidential worries. The psychological benefits of golf for stress management are well-documented in research compiled by the American Psychological Association on sports and mental health. Understanding golf scoring terminology from birdies to bogeys reveals the strategic complexity that makes golf mentally engaging. A president thinking about a 15-foot putt for birdie isn’t simultaneously worrying about inflation rates or foreign policy crises.

Additionally, golf provides four to five hours of uninterrupted time rare for presidents whose schedules are typically divided into 15-minute increments. This extended period of mental decompression serves as psychological reset, allowing presidents to return to White House pressures with renewed mental clarity.

Physical Exercise Without Excessive Demands

Golf offers an ideal form of presidential exercise. Walking 18 holes covers approximately four to five miles solid cardiovascular activity. Yet unlike running, basketball, or tennis, golf doesn’t risk the injuries that could create presidential health crises.

Consider the alternatives:

• Running: Risk of falls, joint injuries, and high cardiovascular stress

• Basketball: Contact sport with injury potential (Obama famously required 12 stitches after an elbow to the face during a pickup game)

• Tennis: High-intensity with joint stress

• Golf: Low-impact, self-paced, minimal injury risk

For presidents in their 50s, 60s, or 70s the typical age range golf provides exercise appropriate to their fitness levels without requiring extreme physical conditioning.

Golf Diplomacy: Deals on the Fairway

Some of the most significant political and diplomatic moments in history have occurred on golf courses. The strategic use of sports in international relations, including golf diplomacy, is analyzed in Council on Foreign Relations’ research on soft power and diplomatic engagement. The sport’s unique structure four to five hours of casual conversation while walking between shots creates an environment unlike formal meetings or state dinners.​ For reference, a typical 18-hole round takes 4-5 hours, providing extended periods for relationship building.

Notable Examples of Golf Diplomacy:

Trump-Shinzo Abe Partnership: President Trump played multiple rounds with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through shared golf experiences. These rounds facilitated frank discussions about trade and North Korea in a relaxed setting.

Obama-Boehner Bipartisan Attempts: President Obama’s golf rounds with Republican Speaker John Boehner represented attempts at bipartisan cooperation. While political gridlock continued, these golf meetings provided rare opportunities for casual conversation across party lines.

Clinton-Bush Reconciliation: Perhaps the most symbolic presidential golf round occurred in 1995 when President Bill Clinton played with former President George H.W. Bush. This round represented political healing after Clinton had defeated Bush in the 1992 election. The image of political rivals sharing a golf cart sent powerful messages about American democracy.​

Eisenhower’s International Golf: President Eisenhower used golf to build relationships with international leaders and business titans. His rounds at Augusta National often included influential figures whose support was crucial for American foreign and domestic policy.

Business Deals and Political Negotiations: Lyndon B. Johnson famously used golf for political arm-twisting. LBJ would invite congressmen for rounds and spend hours persuading them to support his legislative agenda. The informal golf course setting made these conversations feel less like political pressure and more like friendly advice.

The Golf Course as Mobile Office

Modern presidential golf is never truly “time off.” Secret Service agents surround presidents on every hole. Military aides carrying nuclear launch codes follow at a discrete distance. White House staff remain in constant communication.

Presidents can and do conduct business on golf courses. Phone calls, briefings, and decisions happen between shots. The golf course becomes a mobile office with better scenery than the Oval Office.

This operational reality helps explain which president played the most golf: golf doesn’t necessarily mean not working. Wilson managed World War I while playing 1,200-1,600 rounds. Eisenhower handled Cold War crises while playing 800 rounds. The sport and presidential duties coexist.

Security Advantages

Golf courses offer significant security advantages for the Secret Service. Courses can be easily cleared and controlled. Surrounding terrain provides clear sightlines. Access points are limited. Compared to restaurants, shopping, or public events, golf courses are relatively easy to secure.

This partially explains why presidents often choose the same courses repeatedly. Andrews Air Force Base, where Obama frequently played, is already a secured military installation. Trump’s owned courses allowed his security team to implement permanent security measures. These familiar locations reduce security complexity and cost.

Presidential Image and Relatability

Current participation data shows approximately 24 million Americans play golf, according to the National Golf Foundation’s annual industry report, which tracks golf participation trends and demographics. When presidents play golf, they participate in an activity shared by millions of voters. This creates relatability voters can imagine themselves in the president’s position, facing a difficult chip shot or celebrating a long putt.​

This relatability factor helps explain why golf became more accepted after Eisenhower. When a beloved war hero president visibly enjoyed golf, millions of Americans felt the sport was something they could enjoy too.

The Double-Edged Sword

Golf’s benefits come with significant drawbacks. The same activity that provides stress relief and diplomatic opportunities also creates:

• Optics problems during crises: Wilson during WWI, Trump during pandemic

• Elitism concerns: Private club access, expensive equipment, wealthy playing partners

• Cost controversies: Taxpayer-funded travel, Secret Service expenses

• Perception of laziness: “The president is golfing while I’m working”

These tensions ensure that presidential golf remains controversial regardless of who occupies the White House. The president who played the most golf while in office Woodrow Wilson faced these criticisms even a century ago, and they continue today.

The Cost of Presidential Golf: Taxpayer Expenses Explained

How Much Does Presidential Golf Really Cost?

When discussing which president has played the most golf, we must also examine the financial impact. Presidential golf trips cost taxpayers millions of dollars money that funds everything from Air Force One flights to Secret Service protection.

Breaking Down the Costs

Air Force One Travel: The most expensive component of presidential golf trips is Air Force One operation. Each hour of flight time costs approximately $200,000 to $400,000 depending on fuel costs and destination distance.​ Presidential aircraft operational costs are detailed in U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on Air Force One expenses, which provide transparent breakdowns of taxpayer-funded travel.

For example, Trump’s frequent trips from Washington, D.C. to Mar-a-Lago in Florida required approximately 2.5 hours of flight time each way roughly $1 to $2 million per round trip just for the aircraft. When presidents golf at nearby courses or military installations, these costs drop dramatically.

Secret Service Protection: Presidential golf requires extensive Secret Service preparation and staffing:

• Advance teams sweep courses days before presidential visits

• Agents close courses to other golfers (revenue loss for private clubs)

• Motorcades transport presidents from airports to courses

• Agents monitor every hole while presidents play

• Counter-sniper teams establish positions

• Electronic security sweeps detect threats

These protections can cost $100,000 to $500,000 per golf trip depending on location complexity and duration.​

Presidential Motorcade: Moving presidents from aircraft to golf courses requires motorcades with police escorts, communication vehicles, medical support vehicles, and agent transport. These operations cost tens of thousands of dollars per trip.

Opportunity Costs: When presidents golf at private courses, clubs must close to other golfers. Courses lose revenue from greens fees, cart rentals, and pro shop sales. While taxpayers don’t directly pay these costs, they represent economic impact of presidential golf, from course maintenance to golf cart operations that require battery replacements and regular upkeep at presidential courses.

Trump’s Golf Costs (2017-2021)

Estimated total: $141+ million ​

Trump’s first-term golf trips became highly scrutinized due to several factors:

Frequency: 300+ golf course visits in four years meant frequent Air Force One flights and Secret Service deployments.

Distance: Trump’s preference for Mar-a-Lago in Florida meant expensive flights rather than nearby courses.

Own Properties: Trump played primarily at his own golf clubs, raising questions about taxpayer money benefiting his private businesses. While Trump didn’t charge himself greens fees, his clubs charged Secret Service agents for golf cart rentals, meals, and lodging.​

298 Days at Golf Properties: During his first term, Trump spent 298 days at properties he owned. While not all were golf days, the correlation between his business properties and presidential travel created unprecedented conflicts of interest.​

The Hypocrisy Factor: Trump’s 2016 campaign rhetoric about being too busy to golf made these costs particularly controversial. His tweets criticizing Obama’s golf expenses came back to haunt him when his own golf costs exceeded Obama’s despite serving half as long.

Obama’s Golf Costs (2009-2017)

Estimated total: ~$114 million (eight years)

Obama’s golf trips cost significantly less per round than Trump’s for several reasons:

Andrews Air Force Base: Obama’s primary golf location was Andrews Air Force Base, already a secured military installation. Playing there required Marine One helicopter transport (relatively inexpensive) rather than Air Force One flights.

Lower Trip Frequency: 333 rounds over eight years (42 per year) meant less frequent travel than Trump’s 75+ rounds per year.

Fewer Resort Destinations: Obama occasionally played at Hawaii courses during family vacations, but his daily golf typically occurred at nearby locations.

Cost Per Round: Obama’s average cost per round was approximately $342,000, while Trump’s averaged around $470,000. This difference accumulated significantly over hundreds of rounds.​

Eisenhower’s Cost-Effective Approach

The White House putting green represented peak cost-effectiveness for presidential golf. While Eisenhower still took trips to Augusta National (expensive), his putting green allowed daily practice with zero travel costs.​

Installation cost of the putting green was minimal a few thousand dollars in 1954. Maintenance remains inexpensive. Yet it provides presidential stress relief and exercise without any travel expenses.

Modern presidents would dramatically reduce taxpayer costs by primarily using the White House putting green and only occasionally traveling to full courses. However, this approach hasn’t appealed to modern presidents, who prefer full 18-hole rounds.

The Public Opinion Factor

Americans have mixed feelings about presidential golf costs. Polls show that approximately 60% of Americans believe presidents should be allowed to golf for stress relief, but similar majorities also believe presidents should minimize expensive golf trips during crises.​

The partisan dimension is undeniable: Republicans criticized Obama’s golf, Democrats criticized Trump’s golf. This pattern suggests that golf criticism often serves as a proxy for broader political opposition rather than principled concern about costs.

Cost Comparison: Presidential Golf vs. Other Presidential Expenses

To contextualize presidential golf costs:

• Total Secret Service budget: ~$3 billion annually

• White House operations: ~$1.4 billion annually

• Trump golf costs (4 years): $141 million = ~$35 million/year

• Obama golf costs (8 years): $114 million = ~$14 million/year

Presidential golf represents a small fraction of total presidential security and operations costs. However, the voluntary and leisure nature of golf versus mandatory security or official travel makes these expenses politically sensitive.

Could Presidents Golf More Cheaply?

Yes, dramatically. If presidents followed a cost-conscious golf approach:

1. Use White House putting green daily (essentially free)

2. Play primarily at Andrews Air Force Base (minimal travel cost)

3. Take only occasional trips to resort courses (reduce Air Force One flights)

4. Golf during official travel (piggyback on necessary trips)

This approach could reduce presidential golf costs by 80-90%. However, no recent president has prioritized cost reduction over golf preference.

Notable Presidential Golf Stories and Anecdotes

Memorable Moments in Presidential Golf History

Beyond the statistics of which president played the most rounds of golf, presidential golf history contains fascinating stories that reveal character, humor, and the human side of America’s leaders.

Wilson’s Red Golf Balls in Snow

Perhaps the most iconic presidential golf story involves Woodrow Wilson’s determination to play through winter. When snow covered Washington, D.C. golf courses, Wilson didn’t stop playing he simply had golf balls painted bright red.si+2​

Secret Service agents would follow Wilson around snow-covered courses, helping spot and retrieve the red balls from snowdrifts. Caddies reportedly kept dozens of red balls on hand, as many would disappear into deep snow never to be found.

This image the President of the United States trudging through snow to hit red golf balls while managing World War I perfectly captures both Wilson’s obsession with his daily golf routine and the absurd lengths to which he’d go to maintain it.

The story also reveals early Secret Service frustrations with presidential golf. Agents assigned to Wilson’s detail spent hours in freezing weather watching their president play one of the worst games of golf any of them had ever witnessed.

The Eisenhower Tree Controversy

At Augusta National Golf Club, a loblolly pine tree on the 17th hole repeatedly blocked President Eisenhower’s shots. The tree stood directly in the landing zone for drives hit from the tee precisely where Eisenhower’s shots frequently landed.​

After years of frustration, Eisenhower formally proposed at an Augusta National board meeting in 1956 that the tree be cut down. As a club member and the sitting President of the United States, his motion carried significant weight.

Clifford Roberts, Augusta National’s co-founder and Eisenhower’s close friend, immediately recognized the disaster ahead. If the club cut down a tree because the president couldn’t hit around it, Augusta would become a national laughingstock. Roberts quickly adjourned the meeting before any vote could take place.​

The tree remained standing and became one of Augusta National’s most famous landmarks, officially known as the “Eisenhower Tree.” For nearly 60 years, golf fans would watch Masters Tournament players navigate around the tree that frustrated a president.

In 2014, an ice storm severely damaged the tree, forcing Augusta National to remove it. The spot where the Eisenhower Tree stood remains one of the course’s most photographed locations a memorial to presidential golf frustration.

Gerald Ford’s Errant Shots

President Gerald Ford developed an unfortunate reputation for hitting spectators with golf balls. During pro-am tournaments and public rounds, Ford’s wayward shots found their way into galleries with disturbing frequency.​

Comedian Bob Hope immortalized Ford’s golf struggles with the joke: “Gerald Ford made golf a contact sport.” Hope later added, “It’s not hard to find Gerald Ford on a golf course just follow the wounded.”

The irony: Ford was actually a solid golfer with a 12 handicap. Ford’s athletic background is extensively documented in the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum archives, including his University of Michigan football career and golf achievements. His reputation came from high-profile incidents rather than typical play. Ford’s athletic background he played college football at the University of Michigan translated to a powerful golf swing that occasionally went wildly off-target.​

To Ford’s credit, he always immediately checked on anyone his shots hit, apologized profusely, and often sent autographed golf balls and presidential memorabilia as apologies. These gracious responses turned potentially embarrassing incidents into humanizing moments.

Trump’s Golf Cheating Allegations

Golf journalist Rick Reilly spent years documenting allegations of Donald Trump’s golf course behavior in his book “Commander in Cheat”. Reilly interviewed dozens of Trump’s playing partners and caddies, compiling numerous allegations:​

The “Vanishing Ball Trick”: Allegations that Trump’s golf ball would land in rough terrain, but when his cart arrived at the spot, the ball would mysteriously be in a perfect fairway lie.

The Improved Lie: Claims that Trump would subtly improve his ball position, moving it to better spots when playing partners weren’t watching.

The Generous Scoring: Allegations of Trump recording scores significantly lower than what playing partners observed him shooting.

The Cart on Green: A story about Trump driving his golf cart directly onto a pristine green a cardinal sin in golf etiquette that can damage putting surfaces.

Trump has dismissed these allegations as political attacks from critics. His defenders note that his course ownership provides legitimate advantages (knowing every hole) and that his frequent play has genuinely developed skills.

Regardless of accuracy, these allegations highlight how golf reveals character. The sport’s honor system players call penalties on themselves makes it a unique test of integrity that presidents can’t escape.

Bush’s 2003 Golf Ban

George W. Bush’s decision to stop playing golf during the Iraq War represents the most principled presidential golf moment in modern history.​

In August 2003, as American casualties in Iraq mounted, Bush played his final round as president. In a later interview, he explained: “Playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal. I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf.”

Bush kept this pledge for the remaining five years of his presidency. He played only 24 total rounds during eight years by far the fewest of any modern president. While critics disagreed with Bush’s war policies, many respected his recognition that presidential optics matter during national tragedies.

This decision stands in stark contrast to other presidents who continued golfing during crises. The different approaches reflect genuinely different philosophies about presidential leadership and public perception.

The Clinton-Bush Reconciliation Round

In 1995, President Bill Clinton invited former President George H.W. Bush to play golf together. This invitation came just three years after Clinton had defeated Bush in the 1992 election a loss that deeply hurt Bush, who had expected re-election.​

The round served as symbolic reconciliation. By playing golf together, Clinton and Bush demonstrated that American democracy transcends partisan battles. The image of a sitting president and the man he defeated sharing a golf cart sent powerful messages about peaceful transitions of power.

The round also highlighted contrasting golf styles: Bush’s legendary speed (under 2 hours for 18 holes) versus Clinton’s notoriously slow play (often 5+ hours). They compromised on pace, and Bush reportedly showed remarkable patience with Clinton’s deliberate approach.​

This golf round began a friendship that continues today, with Clinton and Bush collaborating on various charitable initiatives. Golf facilitated healing that might not have occurred in formal settings.

Kennedy’s Secret Golf

John F. Kennedy, the best golfer among presidents, deliberately hid his golf playing from the public. Kennedy’s advisors worried that golf photos would invite comparisons to Eisenhower, whose frequent golf had become a political liability.​

Kennedy played primarily at exclusive private clubs where media access was restricted. When he did play publicly, White House photographers were often instructed not to release golf images. This secrecy meant that despite being the most skilled presidential golfer (7 handicap), Kennedy has few famous golf photos.

The irony: Kennedy’s back pain from his WWII PT-109 injuries made golf physically challenging. Yet he maintained his low handicap through sheer skill and Harvard golf team training. Those who played with him reported that Kennedy’s game was remarkably smooth despite obvious physical discomfort, regularly achieving eagles and occasionally even the rare albatross scoring feats that demonstrate exceptional skill.

This secrecy represents a different era of presidential media management one that would be impossible in today’s social media age.

Conclusion: The Presidential Golf Legacy

The Unbreakable Record

The answer to which president played the most golf is definitively Woodrow Wilson, whose 1,200-1,600 rounds during his eight-year presidency established a record that has stood for over a century and will almost certainly never be broken.​

To match Wilson’s total, a president would need to play approximately 150-200 rounds per year for eight consecutive years a pace that’s essentially impossible given modern media scrutiny, security concerns, and political pressure. Even Donald Trump, who plays at the highest rate per year in modern presidential history (75+ rounds), would need to serve approximately 16 years as president to match Wilson’s total.

The Evolution of Presidential Golf

From William Howard Taft’s controversial introduction of golf to the presidency in 1909 to today’s intense media coverage of Trump’s golf habits, the sport has evolved from elitist controversy to expected presidential activity. What once sparked outrage now sparks debate primarily about frequency and cost rather than whether presidents should play at all.

The question has shifted from “Should presidents play golf?” to “How much is too much?” This evolution reflects changing American attitudes toward presidential leisure, work-life balance, and public accountability.

Modern Golf Records Still Being Written

While Wilson’s all-time record is secure, modern presidential golf records continue to evolve. Donald Trump holds the record for highest rate per year among modern presidents at 75+ rounds annually. If he maintains this pace through his second term, he’ll likely surpass Barack Obama’s modern-era total of 333 rounds.​

The Trump-Obama comparison will remain the defining modern presidential golf debate, highlighting partisan differences in how golf is perceived based on who’s doing the playing.

Skill vs. Volume: Two Different Legacies

John F. Kennedy’s legacy as the best-skilled presidential golfer (7 handicap) stands separately from volume records. Kennedy proved that golf skill and frequency are distinct accomplishments one can be the best golfer without playing the most, just as Wilson proved one can play the most without being particularly skilled.​

This distinction matters because it reveals that presidential golf serves different purposes for different leaders. For Wilson, golf was health therapy. For Kennedy, it was athletic competition. For Eisenhower, it was cultural participation. For Trump, it’s both recreation and business. Each president’s approach reflects their personality and priorities.

The Cost and Controversy Continue

Presidential golf costs will remain politically controversial. Trump’s estimated $141+ million in golf-related taxpayer expenses during his first term exceeded Obama’s eight-year total, ensuring ongoing debates about appropriate use of taxpayer funds for presidential leisure.​

Future presidents will face the same tensions Wilson faced over a century ago: balancing legitimate needs for stress relief and exercise against public perceptions of presidential work ethic and fiscal responsibility.

The Enduring Tradition

Despite controversies, presidential golf isn’t disappearing. The sport provides unique benefits stress relief, exercise, diplomatic opportunities, and mental escape that few alternatives can match. Approximately 24 million Americans play golf, creating relatability between presidents and voters.​

Eisenhower’s White House putting green, still maintained today, symbolizes how golf has become permanently embedded in presidential life. Future presidents will almost certainly continue playing golf, though perhaps with greater attention to optics, costs, and frequency than historical presidents like Wilson, who played without concern for public opinion.​

Final Answer: Which President Played the Most Golf?

Woodrow Wilson played the most golf of any U.S. president 1,200 to 1,600 rounds from 1913 to 1921, averaging one round every 2-3 days throughout his presidency. This record remains unbroken after more than a century and will almost certainly stand forever as the ultimate presidential golf achievement.​

Dwight Eisenhower comes in second with approximately 800 rounds, while modern presidents like Trump and Obama have played significantly fewer total rounds despite intense media coverage.​

The story of presidential golf reveals as much about American culture, politics, and changing attitudes toward leadership as it does about the presidents themselves. From Taft’s controversial beginnings to Wilson’s unbreakable record to today’s partisan debates, golf remains one of the most enduring and fascinating traditions in White House history. Whether you’re inspired to start your own golf journey with our beginner’s guide or want to test your golf knowledge with our golf bag personality quiz, the sport continues to captivate millions of Americans just as it has captivated presidents.