Donald Trump or Joe Biden? Who Is the Better Golfer Out of the Two Presidential Candidates?

“I WON BOTH!” Four months ago, Donald Trump wrote emphatically on his Truth Social platform, in all caps. The former POTUS was boasting of his two victories: The Club Championship and the Senior Club Championship trophy. It was a matter of debate then, more so after Biden sarcastically replied, “Congratulations, Donald. Quite the accomplishment.” But no one foresaw that it would claw its way up to the Presidential debate on June 27.

Yet, the former POTUS and the current President engaged in a verbal spat on golf. Trump claimed Biden couldn’t swing past 50 yards. Quickly, that went over to a handicap argument, and eventually Biden challenged the 78-year-old to a golf match on the condition that Trump have to carry his own bag. But the surreality, the humor, and the politics aside, which of them is a better golfer? Do we have any verdict on that?

What do Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s records show?

Donald Trump claims to have won multiple trophies in golf. The former POTUS won the 2024 Trump International Golf Club Most Improved Player of the Year Award, presented by Jack Nicklaus. The 78-year-old has played golf with Bryson DeChambeau and PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan as well. 

Biden, on the other hand, claimed he was a six handicapper in the Presidential debate. Jack Hirsh of Golf.com shared both their handicap index. Biden’s handicap details read 6.7 at the Fieldstone Golf Club and Trump’s 2.5 at Winged Foot. Notably, Biden’s handicap was last recorded in 2018, and Trump’s in 2021.

It’s not clear where they stand now, but the sitting President admitted his might have fallen to eight. Nevertheless, this wasn’t the first time Trump attacked Biden on his swing. In an election rally last year in South Dakota, the business mogul said, “Did you ever see his golf swing? He says he’s a 6 handicap. This guy can’t hit a ball…” 

Naturally, the Presidential debate caused a firestorm. The golf Twitter went bonkers as the two veteran politicians went on a handicap trash talk. But the tricky thing is that there is no way to verify either of their claims. To make matters more complicated, Trump has been accused of lying about his handicap and cheating on course.

Trump’s Golf legacy carries an asterisk?

Last August, the former POTUS claimed to have shot 67 at Bedminster. However, just some weeks before that, on the very course, only four players scored 67 or better at the LIV Golf event. Anirban Lahiri of Crushers had the lowest round of 64 on Saturday. Cameron Smith, the Ripper GC captain, posted 66 & 67 in the first two rounds. On the other hand, Charles Howell III and Phil Mickelson were the other two to card 67, the former in the first round and the latter in the second round. Additionally, Jediah Morgan netted a 66 in the final round.

Interestingly, legendary sports writer and veteran columnist Rick Reilly wrote in his book ‘Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump’ that “If Trump is a 2.8, Queen Elizabeth is a pole vaulter… He cheats at the highest level. He cheats when people are watching, and he cheats when they aren’t.”

Reilly wrote after interviewing various people who knew Trump, including the legendary course designer Tom Fazio. Fazio denied saying that Bedminster is the best work in his portfolio. Yet, the plaque at the Trump-owned course quotes Fazio: “This is the best design I’ve ever done.”

So, it’s almost impossible to arrive at a clear conclusion about who amongst Donald Trump and Joe Biden is the best golfer. Perhaps the only solution is what reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau suggested. To face each other on the greens while he hosts!