The word ‘golf’ is derived from the Dutch word ‘kolf’ or ‘kolve,’ meaning, in straightforward words, ‘club. ‘In the Scottish language in the late 14th or early 15th century, this Dutch term came to be called ‘gouff,’ and later ‘golf’ around the 16th century.
In a match play, two teams play each hole contesting separately. The scoring in golf is done differently from other sports; thus, the lower-scoring team wins. Lower scores mean the lower the number of shots taken wins the holes, and the team that wins the maximum number of holes wins the match.
Golf and the US presidency have a long history. Many of the most decisive presidents had a passion for promoting and playing the game, both during their time in the Oval Office of the White House and beyond their tenure.
John F. Kennedy, 35th President (1961-63)
The most significant president in the field of golf was John F. Kennedy. Among all the presidents that ever lived in the white house, he was the best golfer by far. On Nov. 22, the US will mourn and remember the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination.
And celebrate the man who led the US to the moon, fought for civil rights, navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis, and brought other social changes, and uplifted such a vast nation when times were difficult. It’s only appropriate to appreciate how amazing the 35th president was at golf and how much he enjoyed and respected the game.
If he hadn’t been robbed of so many precious years of his life, there is no denying that the thirty-fifth president would have been truly unique at the game than he already was.
There was a lot more golf left in him, and undoubtedly his passion for golf would have continued after his presidency and leaving the White House.
Kennedy, however, didn’t live beyond his trip to Dallas in 1963. That still doesn’t change the fact that he’s among the most significant golfing presidents in the history of 50 years of presidents.
Kennedy was shy to let the American people see his skills as a golf player so early in his tenure as a president. But over time, he became much more comfortable and let the public see how good he was at the game and how much it meant to him as well as his proficiency.
When his chronic back pain allowed, the president had an elegant swing that earned him a single-digit handicap, undoubtedly the best of the golfers on this list.
Unfortunately, Kennedy couldn’t have the opportunity to do for the game what other presidents had after leaving the white house. That being said, his love for the sport, proficiency in playing golf, and his influence warranted him his place as a memorable contributor to golf’s popularity and growth during his tenure.
In August 1963, Kennedy was looking to improve his golf and was preparing to turn to the golf great Arnold Palmer for advice.
According to Sports Illustrated, Kennedy called upon a White House photographer to film him silently. At the same time, he practiced at Hyannisport Golf Club in Massachusetts, and then invite Palmer to the White House and review the filmed tape later in the year.
George H.W. Bush, 41st President (1989-93)
The 41st president of the US is in the World Golf Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements in golf. Besides being a strong supporter of the Walker Cup and a leader of the First Tee movement, he was also the captain of the US Presidents Cup team.
It’s not surprising that Bush would be such a prominent figure in the game of golf considering his lineage. His father was one of the president of the USGA, Prescott Bush, and so was his mother’s father, George Herbert Walker, who also set up the famous Walker Cup.
Bush carved his path in golf, which can be talked favorably with his contributions to political and humanitarian grounds.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President (1953-61)
A very few men of this kind of power have done to popularize the sport than what Eisenhower did, and so it’s debatable that he belongs at the top of this list and he would have a powerful case in his favor, Many of the presidents kept their play limited while holding the presidential office and preferred to stay far away from the eyes of paparazzi; he made no such efforts.
He was a dedicated Golfer in Chief, and he played 800 rounds of golf during his two terms, says the estimates.
Bill Clinton, 42nd President (1993 to 2001)
Even when respect for some of the sport’s rules at least often questioned, Bill Clinton has admired and promoted the game of golf as much as any other president.
Clinton has played with Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and recent most, Rory McIlroy, the top PGA Tour stars, throughout his term in politics, has known to have been taken more than his share of mulligans to the point the term was changed by many to take a “Billigan.”
There’s no denying Clinton’s love for the game he has played since he was 12, yet, one would want to keep a close eye on the president’s high stake tussle in match-play. The sport always had a significant place for Clinton, who was playing ten handicaps reportedly a year after leaving office, not sure if that included a mulligan or not.
Barack Obama, 44th President (2009 to 2017)
Obama was A significant sports fan and has been credited with hitting the links more than George W. Bush did during his 8 years of office than Obama did in nine months of his office. As of last year’s reports, Obama has played over 140 rounds of golf, which is 2.5 times more than he did before taking his office in January 2009 (source USA Today’s Chris Chase).
George W. Bush, 43rd President (2001-2009)
Bush, too Like Ford, didn’t get much appreciation for his qualities as an orator or intellect during his presidential tenure. Aside from that, only a few commanders in chief call themselves as enthusiastic as Bush was in sports, dedication to golf included.
The president understood the impact and importance of sports in society and promoted the same. He also, for a period of owned the Texas Rangers.
Conclusion
President John F. Kennedy didn’t like being seen playing golf in the initial years because he believed that his service to the nation was the utmost service. He didn’t want to taint that image by seeing recreational activities.
The best golfer president of the united stated this when he was asked why did he choose to not been seen playing golf during his initial years in office. For some presidents, it was an escape from the stress and pressure of leading the reign. On the other hand, it was a competition for some. In any case, the sport had meant significantly too much for them. They, too, have been significant for the sport and its popularity.
Some have been proficient at the sport, while others have been proficient at making contributions towards it. The exceptional presidents have made a significantly impressive impact in both fields.
