Donald Trump has been a constant when it comes to golf appearances. He became the first sitting president to appear at the 2025 Ryder Cup. And he has spent around $151.5 million on golf travel and security. But how did he begin his journey as a golfer?

About a year ago, the POTUS revealed the secrets, and it all dated back to his college days. “I went to the Wharton School of Finance at Penn, and around college, I started picking it up and enjoyed it pretty much,” Trump told Travis Miller. “Learned it, learned how to play on some public courses in Philadelphia.” 

He recalled learning the game on public courses in Philadelphia, specifically Cobbs Creek and Caracong, where he played alongside skilled local golfers. “They had a lot of good players, a lot of hustling players from the area. I had a lot of fun with that. It was good.”

This led to one more question: Was Donald Trump pushed into the sport, or was he influenced by someone? Well, the answer came with an interesting admission as he recalled a game with his father. 

“My father, I played with him once,” Trump stated. “He didn’t play golf, but he had an unbelievably good swing. I mean, if he played golf, he would have been phenomenal. I said, ‘You never played? Are you kidding me?’ But he was a worker, not a golfer.” 

The POTUS’s love for golf has pushed him to acquire multiple golf properties. He owns a golf course in West Palm Beach, Miami, Washington D.C., and, most recently, he opened a course in Scotland. 

But how is the two-time American president’s golf game? Is he a strong contender, or does he rank around a scratch?

Donald Trump Weighs In on His Skills as a Golfer

As the conversation between Trump and Miller continued, the duo stumbled upon the President’s gameplay. But for Trump, his game was pretty superior. 

“My short game is good. Honestly, I don’t like saying because people wouldn’t believe it, because I’m at an age where I should be losing, and I haven’t. I believe I’m a better player now than I was 25 years ago.” 

And that’s reflected through his club championship performances. Although he has a golf handicap of 2.8, he has won 38 club championships. He won his sixth championship this year in August. Trump had a score of 69 (adjusted to 67 based on his handicap) at a senior championship at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. 

From public courses in Philadelphia to championship clubs worldwide, Trump’s path in golf has been anything but ordinary. It reflects equal parts enjoyment, confidence, and personal pride.

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Joyita Das