Donald Trump's golf skills compared to other US Presidents as winner clear
Donald Trump's golf skills compared to other US Presidents as winner clear
Joseph McBrideMon, August 3, 2026 at 1:12 PM UTC
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Donald Trump is considered the best golfer among all U.S. Presidents -Credit:Getty Images
Donald Trump boasted about his talent when winning the annual championship at his National Golf Club in Bedminster, and is also considered by many as the best golfer to ever lead the United States.
Trump has now celebrated 40 wins at his golf clubs around the world, and shared footage of the winning approach shot at Bedminster on Sunday. Although the footage was meant to silence any haters, Trump continues to be met with allegations that he cheats on the course.
The same claims were made during Sunday's latest championship in Bedminster, but Trump insisted that he's more talented than the other participating members. Trump may be one of the top golfers across his clubs, but he also stands out when compared with those who have formerly been in the Oval Office.
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Trump claimed that he shot 70 to win the championship, an impressive score given the Par-72 course. "Thank you very much to all of those who participated," Trump wrote on Truth Social when sharing his winning approach shot.
"I won with a score of 70, and am so honored in that, unlike the rest of the field, I’m given very little time to practice, because I’m focused on many other things. It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Trump has also famously claimed that he is difficult to beat. "I’ve played a lot, and I’ve played well. There are very few people who can beat me in golf," Trump said.
Trump has claimed that very few people can beat him in golf -Credit:Andrew Harnik, Getty Images
Over the years, Trump has formed a close relationship with several golfers, most recently Bryson DeChambeau and Tiger Woods, but he's also been associated with Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. The latter has played with several U.S. Presidents, but says Trump is the best.
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"Well, the ones I’ve played with, actually, Trump is probably the best player," Nicklaus said. "Trump plays pretty well. He plays a little bit like I do.
"He doesn’t really ever finish many holes. But he can hit the ball, and he goes out and plays and just enjoys it. But he’s won several club championships. He can play."
Trump has been praised by current pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau -Credit:Getty Images
DeChambeau even wishes he could take part of Trump's game, despite being a successful professional golfer. "I can’t tell you the number of times he stuffed it on the green within 30 feet," he said. "His driver swing is the most repeatable thing I have ever seen. I wish mine was that repeatable. Really, I do."
Trump claims to have a 2.8 handicap in golf, which puts him well clear of former U.S. Presidents. Here, Mirror U.S. Sports compares Trump with the former leaders who also enjoyed playing golf.
Joe Biden had a handicap of 6.7 by the time he left office, but hasn't posted an official round score since 2018. While Trump has been criticized for playing too much golf as president, Biden once said the job ruins your game. Biden said to Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny in 2014: "I don’t know about you, but if you want to keep your handicap in golf, don’t run for president."
John F. Kennedy had a 7 handicap, but preferred to keep things low-key on the course, unlike Trump. Kennedy loved a round between presidential duties, but kept his activity hidden from the media.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's handicap has never been officially disclosed, but he often carded low 80s. Therefore, his handicap would have been around 8.
Both George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. enjoyed playing golf during their presidential terms, but the elder Bush was more talented. Bush Sr. had an 11 handicap.
While Biden claimed that handicaps would suffer when in office, Bill Clinton felt differently. The former president had a 12 handicap, but that was a vast improvement from before he was elected. "I actually improved my handicap when I was in office. I was probably a 16 when I came into the White House and a 12 when I left," he said.
Barack Obama has never claimed to be an exceptional golfer, but that didn't stop him from hitting the links. According to Obama, his handicap was "an honest 13."
Source: “AOL Sports”
