Golf is such a pleasuring and relaxing game that even many presidents, including the respected former President Obama, also enjoyed the game so many times. Obama has always been very popular, kind, and loved among people during his presidency period. To the golfers like us, it is fascinating how many times Barack Obama played golf.
From various sources, we learned that he played 333 rounds of golf during his eight years of the presidency while at the office. In these 333 rounds, he was terrific in the game.
How many times did Obama play golf during his presidency?
I have researched on behalf of you to answer this question so that your valuable time saves. For this, I had to go through so many statistics, then I found the accurate answer and presenting it to you.
He grew interested in golf when he was 30. Back then, he got involved in golf. Earlier, he was connected to basketball as a physical workout. However, he alternated golf instead of basketball.
As I already mentioned, respected former president Obama played around 333 rounds at the office during his eight-year presidency. This number is undoubtedly quite much like a former president. Despite being the President and having so many responsibilities, Obama never failed to deliver a fantastic shot. His performance in golf was marvelous. And the more impressive fact is, he never cheated on the game or broke any rule. Being the President, he had some opportunities for not following each law. But he always said a big fat NO to cheating or breaking any rule.
Barack Obama mostly played golf at the local military bases rather than any external golf courses. Military bases are safer and require low costs than external golf courses, so most of the time, played on military bases except a few times.
Who were his opponents in golf?
While at the Oval Office, Obama usually played golf with other political partners and rivals. Although he had differences with different political opponents, he never got aggressive at the golf course. Instead, he behaved like a gentleman. It was another kind of informal meeting for discussing bilateral issues. Often various matters occur which are not suitable for discussion formally. Obama used to pick those topics for a friendly conversation at the golf course while golfing. It is also an introduction to his intelligence in politics.
Outside the office or formal meetings, he used to play with his friends and family.
333 rounds-shorter or moderate
Being the President of a country is not always very fun as they have a massive responsibility for their shoulder. That’s why the number of rounds of any sports is also counted of a president to evaluate if he is fulfilling his duties or not. If we compare the numbers of matches Obama played with other presidents, we can see if he played more than he should.
In the eight years of his presidency, Obama completed 333 rounds of golf. If we count, the estimated time is about 1,665 hours of his presidency, which is officially 55,008 hours. Talking about another former president of the US, Woodrow Wilson, he played around 1200 rounds during his presidency, which is very much than Obama. Our current President, Donald Trump, has already completed playing 220 matches since he was declared President of the USA in 2017. If we compare the numbers of rounds of other presidents, Barack Obama has a shorter number of games.
Let’s make it more clear. Considering the rounds and times of playing compared to the presidency period, Obama has spent 3% of his time on golf. Remaining 97% of the time, he paid for the state’s well-being, responsibilities, and family. This shows how dedicated he regarded his work and duties. During his presidency, he never compromised with the responsibilities towards his state and the people. He managed and balanced time perfectly for his task as well as his recreation. Obama mostly played during his vacations and weekends. Thus he made the perfect time combination of his responsibility and golfing.
However, the proportion of rounds played by Obama is above the national average. According to the National Golf Foundation of the US, the yearly national average is 19.3 rounds, where Barack Obama has played 41 matches a year on average. On this scale, Obama is certainly above the mark.
Obama as a golfer
Barack Obama is a much-respected name in the list of former presidents of the US. He was always committed to his duties and his responsibilities. That’s why he became people’s one of the US’s most favorite presidents within a short time. This is the reason he faced many difficulties in spending quality time golfing. He couldn’t get much time developing his golfing skills; still, he has always played evenly.
We can not say that he is a successor in winning golf matches, but he set an example of loyalty and equality. Despite being the President, he never misused his power to win unethically. He got chances for favors and breaking the rules, yet he denied this.
Is Obama an avid golfer?
An avid golfer is a person who is in so much love with playing golf that he has a golf-related license plate and golfing membership. An avid golfer is usually among the people who reach the limit of playing 25 rounds each year unless he is a professional golfer. This is not a very easy task to do. Around only 3% of US citizens can hardly achieve the benchmark.
Obama has played 333 rounds officially in his eight years of presidency. In that sense, he played 41 competitions each year, which certainly crossed the limit of ‘a casual golfer.’ So without any doubt, Obama is considered an avid golfer. Despite having the state’s prime duty, he reached an avid golfer’s goal due to his intelligence, hard work, and perseverance. But that doesn’t mean he skipped his career and only concentrated on his golfing development. Instead, he knew his limits and always respected that.
Geared-up rounds
Barack Obama didn’t get to play many rounds during his first official term. He often spent his leisure and vacations at golf courses. His number of games increased during his second term in office.
The 44th president had played 46 rounds in his final year at the office. The number increased since he was re-elected as the commander-in-chief for the second time. Most of the rounds of whole 333 matches were played in Obama’s second office term. His last official game was recorded on December 31, 2016, in Hawaii for vacation.
Criticism regarding golf
As Barack Obama is one of the most popular public figures globally, his every action is judged by critics and general citizens. His dedication to golf also was questioned by none other than the current President, Donal Trump himself. Trump claimed several times on Twitter that Obama had spent most of his time over golfing when he was supposed to fulfill his duty towards his state. He repeatedly attacked Obama on Twitter for his golfing habit. Since his Twitter account opening in 2009, Trump posted 27 times jokes, complaints about Barack Obama for golfing while being the President. Besides this, New York Daily News reported that Obama had played more golf than any other commander-in-chief after Dwight Eisenhower.
Who is better – Obama or Trump?
Well, this is a sensitive and controversial issue for discussion. Obama and Trump are both different individuals and had another point of view regarding golf. Trump owns a golf course in Florida. Often he is seen there. In 2018, CNN reported that since the declaration of his presidency, Trump spent 95 days in the first year of office. He practices golfing in his course in Florida, Virginia, and New Jersey. Although it is unclear whether Trump practices golf each day, he visits the system. It is pretty familiar to be excellent at golf for Trump as he can develop his skills.
On the other hand, Obama didn’t get the option to practice as much as Trump. That’s the reason he is lagging a little behind Trump, considering skills. NBC’s golf channel claimed that Trump would surely win against Obama. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated reported that Donald Trump isn’t the most honest golf player. But you can be sure that Obama always had fair deals. He might be below in margin of skills compared to Trump. But Obama has always been an honest and even golfer.
Bottom line
Barack Obama and golf; are very close to heart, especially the people of the US. That’s why the question ‘how many times did Obama play golf’ created a fascination in people’s minds. Due to this question, Obama also had to face criticism. Still, we can’t deny that he has won our hearts with golfing.