US presidents ranked by their golf handicap: The best and worst golfers who lived in the White House

President Donald Trump currently holds the record for the lowest handicap among White House dwellers, with his best reportedly sitting at 2.8 – a remarkable score for any golfer, much less a president. Trump’s fondness for game invented in Scotland (where he has family ties) isn’t exactly a secret, with his Trump Organization owning 17 courses globally and an impressive list of golfing buddies, including Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson.

Trump’s love for golf, and mistruths

That aforementioned handicap isn‘t bought by everyone, however, and if Trump’s own record claims don’t convince you, despite an enthusiastic reputation garnered from insiders and the courses he owns, you aren’t alone. Author Rick Reilly famously dubbed him “Commander in Cheat,” suggesting rules may not always be followed by the former president. That reminds me of a joke:

Past President Joe Biden, on the other hand, comes in second on the list compiled by Michael Dorstewitz, with a respectable 6.7 handicap at his peak, some years ago. Biden‘s handicap slipped over the years, with his golf habit taking a hit since his vice-presidential days. While Biden was reportedly holding his own on D.C.’s golf leaderboard back in 2016, his last recorded scores are from 2018, showing the effects of time and office on his game.

The most dedicated White House golfers

Historically, presidents have carved out time for golf to unwind from the demands of office. Woodrow Wilson was especially dedicated, as Todd Kelly explains, logging over 1,000 rounds during his eight years as president. He even played in the snow, marking his ball in black so he wouldn’t lose sight of it. His commitment to the game was unrivalled, but his skills were modest – breaking 100 was rare.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was another avid golfer, reputed to have played over 800 rounds in his two terms. As a member of Augusta National, Eisenhower didn’t have a single-digit handicap but did make a name for himself on the course, frequently seen with golf legend Arnold Palmer. Even John F. Kennedy, who had a healthier-than-expected handicap of 7 despite a bad back, wasn’t immune to the allure of the green.

Presidents who left their mark… one way or another

Some presidents were more memorable for their style than skill. Lyndon B. Johnson reportedly used golf as a political tool, swinging his way to votes for the Civil Rights Act by inviting colleagues along for rounds. His score wasn’t the prettiest, and the accounts of his swing were even less flattering – historians have likened it to “killing a rattlesnake.”

Another colourful character, Richard Nixon, preferred putting on the White House lawn to mixing with other players. He even removed Eisenhower’s putting green during his time in office. Despite once breaking 80, Nixon gave up the game during the Watergate scandal.

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While many presidents took up golf with enthusiasm, a few just couldn’t see the appeal. Calvin Coolidge wasn’t one for the game; when he left office, he famously abandoned his clubs at the White House, not bothering to bring them along. Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman, and Jimmy Carter all similarly steered clear of the fairways – no clubs, no swings, and likely, no regrets. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to join this small group if she wins the keys to the White House on November 5, but maybe she’ll get the bug thereafter.

The final rankings: America’s best presidential golfers

Among all the presidential golfers, based on the information available, the lowest handicaps belong to Trump and Biden, with Kennedy, Eisenhower, and FDR rounding out the top players. Though they reportedly varied widely in skill and style, golf remains an oddly fitting tradition among America’s leaders.