No two American presidents have been the same. Not in policy and certainly not in popularity. There is one thing that unites nearly every Commander in Chief since the dawn of the 20th century, however: the game of golf.
Sure, not all American presidents were single-digit handicappers. Some didn’t even like it all that much. But when there was a deal to be done or a few free hours in the schedule, they could be found slapping it around the local C.C. just like the rest of us.
So with another election now upon us, grab the sticks and join us for a look back at U.S. presidential golf style over the years. As John F. Kennedy once famously said, the only thing to fear is Madras itself . . . or something like that.
Warren Harding: 1921 – 1923
President Warren Harding in his golf attire, circa 1922. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images) Underwood Archives
Warren Harding playing golf ca. 1921-1923. (Photo by: Hum Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) HUM Images
Dwight Eisenhower: 1953 – 1961
President Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoys a round of golf. Bettmann
Former President Dwight Eisenhower and former Vice President Richard Nixon as they ride an electric cart at Burning Tree Country Club. Bettmann
John F. Kennedy: 1961 – 1963
President Kennedy smiles at sister Pat, after driving off the first tee in Hyannisport, MA. The President and Pat played a short round of golf, after the usual boat ride aboard the Honey Fitz. Bettmann
Following his election to the Senate in 1952, John F. Kennedy visited in Bermuda and played Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club course with his host, Mr. Oliver Brooks (right). Bettmann
Richard Nixon: 1969 – 1974
Richard Nixon holds a golf ball, after having made a hole-in-one. Bettmann
Ronald Reagan: 1981 – 1989
President Reagan tests out his new putter, given to him by U.S. Open winner Ray Floyd. Bettmann
President Reagan playing golf at the Annenberg estate. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) HUM Images
George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush: 1989 – 1993, 2001 – 2009
Former President George W. Bush and his father, Former President George H.W. Bush, enjoy a moment while playing golf at the Cape Arundel Country Club. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images) Rick Friedman
US President George W. Bush waves as he drives his golf cart with golf partner and former Texas State Senator David Sibley at the Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, Texas. (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images) PAUL J. RICHARDS
Bill Clinton: 1993 – 2001
Former President Bill Clinton talks with caddie Davis Sezna on the second hole at the Palmer Private Course at PGA West during the third round of the Humana Challenge on January 21, 2012. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) Denis Poroy
President Bill Clinton and Vijay Singh play a round of golf at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, on March 2, 2007. (Photo by Caryn Levy/PGA) Caryn Levy
Barack Obama: 2009 – 2017
Robert Perry
Former President Barack Obama plays a round of golf at the Old Course on May 26, 2017 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Robert Perry/Getty Images) Robert Perry
Donald Trump: 2017 – 2020
Former US President Donald Trump plays a tee shot during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – DC at Trump National Golf Club on May 25, 2023 in Sterling, Virginia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) Rob Carr
Donald Trump plays a round of golf after the opening of The Trump International Golf Links Course on July 10, 2012 in Balmedie, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) Ian MacNicol
Joe Biden: 2021 – 2024
US House Speaker John Boehner (2nd R) putts on the first hole watched by Ohio Governor John Kasich (L), US Vice President Joe Biden (2nd L) and US President Barack Obama (R) during a game of golf June 18, 2011 at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) MANDEL NGAN
President Joe Biden plays a shot from the fairway on the golf course at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, on Sunday, June 4, 2023. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Bloomberg
