Introduction

Donald Trump is well known for his love of golf. Even before becoming the 45th President of the United States, he owned multiple golf courses and frequently played the sport. During his presidency, his golf outings became a topic of public interest, with many questioning how often he played and how much it cost taxpayers.

Donald Trump played golf approximately 310+ times as president, spending nearly 22% of his days in office at his golf courses.

1. Trump’s Golfing Habits as President

Donald Trump has been passionate about golf for decades. He owns several golf resorts worldwide and often hosted high-profile tournaments. When he took office in 2017, he continued his golfing routine, frequently visiting his private courses such as:

• Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster (New Jersey)

• Trump National Golf Club, West Palm Beach (Florida)

• Trump International Golf Club, Mar-a-Lago (Florida)

• Trump Turnberry (Scotland)

• Trump Doonbeg (Ireland)

Despite promising to be too busy for golf, Trump played frequently throughout his presidency.

2. Breakdown of Trump’s Golf Days

Trump’s golf outings were well-documented, with the following breakdown by year:

• 2017 – 91 days

• 2018 – 75 days

• 2019 – 87 days

• 2020 – 54 days

• 2021 (final days in office) – 3 days

This brings his total golf outings to 310+ times during his four years in office. While these numbers reflect his visits to golf courses, they do not confirm whether he played each time.

3. Cost of Trump’s Golf Trips

A major controversy surrounding Trump’s golf outings was the cost to taxpayers. Estimates suggest:

• Over $144 million was spent on Trump’s golf trips.

• Secret Service and Air Force One expenses contributed significantly.

• Many of these expenses went directly to Trump-owned properties.

His frequent travel to his courses, particularly in Florida and New Jersey, raised ethical concerns about profiting from his own presidency.

4. Trump vs. Other Presidents: Golf Comparisons

Many presidents have played golf, but Trump’s frequency set him apart. Here’s how he compares:

• Trump (2017-2021) – 310+ rounds in 4 years.

• Barack Obama (2009-2017) – 333 rounds in 8 years.

• George W. Bush (2001-2009) – 24 rounds in 8 years.

• Bill Clinton (1993-2001) – Estimated 400+ rounds in 8 years.

Interestingly, Trump frequently criticized Obama for playing golf while in office, yet he ended up playing at a much higher rate.

5. Controversies and Public Reaction

Trump’s golf outings often made headlines, especially when they coincided with national crises. Some notable instances include:

• Playing golf during Hurricane Dorian’s approach in 2019.

• Multiple golf outings during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Frequent criticism from the media regarding the cost of his trips.

However, Trump and his supporters defended his golf trips, arguing that he conducted business while on the course and compared his outings to other presidents’ vacations.

6. Trump’s Golfing After the Presidency

Since leaving office in January 2021, Trump has continued to play golf regularly. He remains involved in managing his golf courses and has hosted multiple tournaments, including LIV Golf events. His golf habits remain a major part of his post-presidency lifestyle.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s time in office was marked by frequent golf outings, leading to significant public debate. While golf has long been a favorite pastime of U.S. presidents, Trump’s frequency, combined with taxpayer expenses, set him apart. His love for the game continues even after his presidency, solidifying his legacy as one of the most golf-involved presidents in U.S. history.