Golfing Presidents - Who was the Best?

Golfing Presidents - Who was the Best?

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC.  We conduct 1, 2, and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993.  We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Has Barack Obama played more golf than any other President outside of Dwight Eisenhower?  The answer might surprise you!  I've done some research using Golf Digest and Links Magazine and have come up with a distinguished list.  

15 of the last 18 Presidents have played golf, and Barack Obama ranks in the middle at best of that group as far as the number of rounds played while serving in office.

* See which President played the most rounds.

* See who is rated as the best in skill on the course and who is second best.  (the latter was a surprise to me!)

Check it out!

President Barack Obama is the 15th of the past 18 American presidents who has played golf. He doesn't play often, but he did during a vacation in Hawaii in August. Vice President Joe Biden, who discovered golf less than 10 years ago, has a Handicap Index of 8.2.

Here's our ranking of the golfing presidents, with an assist from Don Van Natta Jr., author of the book, First Off the Tee: Presidential Hackers, Duffers, and Cheaters from Taft to Bush.

Who played the most?  Top 5.

1 John F. Kennedy Despite chronic back pain, averaged 80.
2 Dwight D. Eisenhower Had a green outside the Oval Office.
3 Gerald R. Ford Clumsy, but was a legitimate 80s-shooter.
4 Franklin D. Roosevelt At 39, polio robbed him of a powerful golf swing.
5 George H.W. Bush Once got his handicap down to 11.

Who played the most?  2nd top 5.

6 George W. Bush Outgoing prez is a capable 15-handicapper.
7 Bill Clinton Can break 90, especially using his "Billigans."
8 Barack Obama The lefty plays more hoops than golf.
9 Ronald Reagan Didn't play often or well (best was low 90s).
10 Warren G. Harding Struggled to break 95.

Who played the most?  3rd Top 5.

11 William Howard Taft As hapless a golfer as he was a chief executive.
12 Woodrow Wilson Played more than Ike but almost never broke 100.
13 Richard M. Nixon He shot 79 once and quit the game.
14 Lyndon B. Johnson Played with senators to secure votes for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
15 Calvin Coolidge When he vacated the White House, he left his clubs behind.

Best Presidents by ability:

Top 5.

1. John F. Kennedy
2. Gerald Ford
3. Dwight D. Eisenhower (pictured)
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt
5. Bill Clinton

Next 5.

6. George H.W. Bush/George W. Bush
7. Barack Obama
8. Ronald Reagan
9. Richard Nixon
10. Woodrow Wilson

Sources: Golf Digest  Links Magazine   Mel Sole Golf school.

Pictures: Boston Public Library   Don Graham

Thanks for reading - Golfing Presidents - Who was the Best?  I hope you learned something!

Related Posts.

Ball in Motion – Rules & Etiquette Wednesday #56.

The Best Golfing States in the Land!

DJ and Joey D – Fitness Friday #28.

Rickie Fowler and Joey D – Fitness Friday #34.

Can a player hit a Golf Shot with more than 1 club – Rules & Etiquette #98.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL, LIKE THIS VIDEO, SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND, LEAVE A COMMENT!