For over a century, the relationship between the US Presidency and golf has been uniquely symbiotic.
The presidency is one of the most stressful jobs on the planet, a role that demands constant vigilance and world-altering decision-making. For many commanders-in-chief, the golf course has served as a sanctuary.
Some have been more effective on the fairways than others. Dwight D. Eisenhower once asked that a tree be removed at Augusta National because he kept hitting his ball into it, but the members rejected his request.
But who is the best of all these golf-obsessed presidents? We have the full list, so you can find out!
Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images
Presidential golfers ranked by handicap
According to rankings shared by Golf Digest, the hierarchy of presidential golfers is topped by Donald Trump, who boasts an impressive handicap of 2.8. This score places him in the scratch conversation, suggesting a level of play far superior to the average amateur.
Following closely in the second spot is Joe Biden, with a reported handicap of 6.7. While Biden took up the game later in life than some of his predecessors, his single-digit handicap indicates that he was actually really good, and might have been able to challenge Trump if he’d started sooner.
The legendary John F. Kennedy holds the third position with a handicap of seven. Known for his natural athleticism, Kennedy often hid his frequent outings from the public eye to avoid appearing distracted from his duties, yet his swing remained one of the most envied in Washington.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, despite the physical challenges he faced later in life, was a formidable golfer in his youth, with an estimated handicap of eight. His love for the game was so profound that he later invested in the construction of hundreds of municipal courses during the New Deal.
Rounding out the top tier is George H.W. Bush, who played to an 11 handicap. He was famous not just for his skill, but for his fast golf philosophy, often sprinting between shots to finish a full round in under two hours.
Further down the list, Bill Clinton and Gerald Ford both maintained respectable handicaps of 12, while Richard Nixon followed with a 15. Even those less known for their prowess, like Barack Obama (13) and the famously portly William Howard Taft (20), found that the lure of the course was impossible to resist.
What golfing handicaps say about US Presidents
These numbers illustrate the evolution of the “Golfer-in-Chief” as a political archetype. The transition from Taft’s 20-handicap struggle to the single-digit proficiency of modern presidents reflects a broader shift in how leaders utilize leisure time.
For a modern president, being good at golf is often seen as an extension of their winning persona, something that is clearly important to Trump.
However, the handicap also serves as a bridge to the common citizen. Seeing a president’s handicap and the inevitable scrutiny that comes with it, humanizes them. It reminds the public that even the most powerful people in the world are subject to the same frustrations of a pushed drive or a lip-out birdie putt.
Ultimately, whether a president is a 2.8 or a 20, the golf course remains the only place where the leader of the free world can be humbled by a small white ball. It is perhaps the only level playing field they ever truly step upon.
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