Trump's Presidential Golf: 600+ Rounds, £120 Million Taxpayer Cost
During his two terms, former US President Donald Trump played or visited golf properties 638 times. His golf activities incurred over £120 million in allocated costs for American taxpayers.
Extensive Golf Activities Across Two Terms
Records show former US President Donald Trump appeared at golf courses, or played golf elsewhere, 473 times during his first term. This period spanned from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. Since starting his second term on January 20, 2025, he has played 165 rounds so far. This brings his total golf-related appearances to 638 times across both presidencies.
Mr Trump's organisation owns or operates golf properties globally. This portfolio includes 11 courses in the United States, one in Ireland, two in Scotland, one in the United Arab Emirates, and one in Indonesia. During his first term, he primarily played at courses near his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida, particularly in winter.
He also spent considerable time at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia, located approximately 20 miles from the White House. Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, served as his summer residence for extended stays. Not all visits involved playing golf; for example, he attended a LIV Golf tournament at Trump National Doral without participating in a round.
Significant Taxpayer Expenditure on Golf Travel
Mr Trump's golf activities incurred over £120 million in allocated costs to American taxpayers. This figure represents varying expenses per round and course. Security services allocated at least £765,000 for third-party golf cart rentals. They also spent more than £500,000 on overnight accommodation at properties owned by Mr Trump, such as his New Jersey country club.
During his initial term, projections suggested he might visit his golf clubs over 650 times across an eight-year presidency. He concluded 2017 with 91 golf course visits. This figure approached 100 visits during his first year as President. The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 election campaign later reduced his playing frequency towards his first term's conclusion.
At one point, records show Mr Trump spent nearly 22 per cent of his days in office at one of his golf properties. This accounted for some portion of the day. Forbes estimates that in his second term, he has spent 27.5 per cent of his first 600 days at golf courses. This represents a higher proportion of his time.
High-Profile Playing Partners and Diplomatic Rounds
Mr Trump has played with numerous notable figures during his presidencies. These include professional golfers such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, and Ernie Els. He also engaged in rounds with political figures for both domestic and diplomatic purposes.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham are among those he played with. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played with Mr Trump in February and November 2017. They also played together in April 2018, underscoring golf's role in international relations.
Other partners included former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and then-Tennessee Senator Bob Corker. Some visits to golf clubs did not involve play, such as a 40-minute visit to Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. He also made a three-day visit to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to observe the 2017 US Women's Open. A 17-day 'working vacation' at Bedminster in August 2017 counted as days on his golf courses, even without daily play.
Scrutiny Over Playing Habits and Transparency
Mr Trump states he holds a USGA handicap index below 5. However, insufficient recorded rounds make his current playing standard unclear. Reports suggest occasional lapses in etiquette, such as driving a golf cart onto a putting green. Several playing partners have accused Mr Trump of cheating during rounds.
He is also noted for hitting the golf ball a considerable distance for his age. His first administration restricted press access when he visited his golf clubs. It remains unconfirmed if Mr Trump played golf on every visit to his clubs during his first term. For example, he played a full 18-hole round with Rory McIlroy. This occurred before McIlroy's PGA Tour return.
The White House initially did not disclose the full round. They had stated Mr Trump intended to play only a few holes. McIlroy later revealed the complete round to No Laying Up, prompting a correction from the administration. This episode highlights the challenges in tracking presidential golf activities.
Implications for Asian Golf Properties
The presence of a Trump-owned property in Indonesia, alongside his diplomatic golf activities with figures like Japan's Shinzo Abe, illustrates the intersection of politics and golf in Asia. Such high-profile ownership can shape perceptions of luxury golf developments. It also demonstrates how political figures utilise golf courses for both leisure and unofficial diplomacy.
Developers and operators in Asia may observe how these properties maintain their appeal. They must assess the commercial impact of political affiliations on their brand and visitor numbers. The transparency, or lack thereof, surrounding presidential golf further influences public relations for these venues.
Future high-profile golf developments in Asia, particularly those linked to prominent public figures, will likely face similar scrutiny regarding costs and access. This trend affects how such projects are planned and marketed across the region.
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