Commander In Cheat

02Like many past presidents, Trump loves golf. But his approach to the game is different

You know, it's funny how many of our past and present U.S. presidents have been big fans of golf. It's not just about whacking a little white ball around a field, though. The way they play the game can tell us a lot about who they are, how they lead, and even how they do politics. Take golf, for example. It's not just a game; it's a test of strategy, patience, and precision. Sounds a lot like politics, doesn't it? And the golf course? It's not just a place to play; it's a place where deals are made and policies are hashed out. Let's look at some examples. William Howard Taft, our 27th president, was so into his game that he once left the president of Chile twiddling his thumbs while he finished his round. That tells you something about Taft's laid-back, maybe even a bit reckless, approach to diplomacy. Then there's Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president. His doc told him to take up golf for his health, and boy, did he take that advice to heart. He even had his golf balls painted black so he could play in the snow. Talk about determination and grit, right? Those are qualities we saw in his political career, too. Warren Harding, the 29th president, was a real character on the golf course. He loved the game so much that he often took off to San Francisco, his personal golf haven. Sadly, his presidency was cut short when he died of heart failure during one of these trips. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd president, was a real whiz on the golf course. He won a bunch of medals as a kid and even took home the championship at Canada’s Campobello Golf Club. His love for the game was so strong that he left a legacy of public golf courses, like the Bethpage in New York that hosted the 2019 PGA Championships. Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president, was tight with pro golfer Arnold Palmer. He was so into golf that he had a green installed right outside the Oval Office. That shows you Eisenhower's commitment to the game, something we also saw in his leadership style. Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, was a real wheeler-dealer on the golf course. The story goes that he secured the votes for his landmark Civil Rights Act right there on the green. That shows you how Johnson used informal settings to get things done. And then there's our current president, Donald Trump. He's not just a golfer; he's a golf tycoon. He builds, buys, and runs golf courses. According to Rick Reilly, golf plays a big role in Trump's life, influencing his business decisions, personal relationships, and even his worldview. It seems that Trump's approach to golf is a lot like his approach to politics: aggressive, competitive, and definitely not by the book. So, you see, golf isn't just a hobby for these presidents. It's a reflection of who they are and how they lead. By understanding their approach to the game, we can learn a lot about their approach to politics and governance.

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