The first president of the U.S. to openly admit playing golf, from the great state of Ohio, was President William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States.
We say the first to admit because it is suspected that PresidentTheodore Roosevelt may have also played golf, but like other politicians of the day, decided to keep his golfing private, as at the time, it was considered a game for the rich only. Golf became an obsession with with President Taft who although played to a 20 handicap, was known to regularly shoot below 90.
President Taft says: “My advice to the middle-aged and older men, who have never played golf, is to take it up. It will be a rest and recreation from business cares, out of which they will get an immense amount of pleasure, and at the same time increase their physical vigor and capacity for work, as well as improve their health. This applies particularly to the government clerks, and I sincerely hope that the proposed public golf course will soon be opened, and that men and women of sedentary habits here will be enabled to get this splendid form of exercise.”
Lyons Group, Inc. over 8 years ago
But an expert at getting tanked.
thirdguy over 8 years ago
Being bad at golf, never hurt Eisenhower.
GROG Premium Member over 8 years ago
I didn’t realize being good at golf was a prerequisite.
s.l over 8 years ago
Neither was President Gerald Ford
Linguist over 8 years ago
TRIVIA
The first president of the U.S. to openly admit playing golf, from the great state of Ohio, was President William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States.
We say the first to admit because it is suspected that PresidentTheodore Roosevelt may have also played golf, but like other politicians of the day, decided to keep his golfing private, as at the time, it was considered a game for the rich only. Golf became an obsession with with President Taft who although played to a 20 handicap, was known to regularly shoot below 90.
Linguist over 8 years ago
TAFT ON GOLF
The American Golfer August 1911
President Taft says: “My advice to the middle-aged and older men, who have never played golf, is to take it up. It will be a rest and recreation from business cares, out of which they will get an immense amount of pleasure, and at the same time increase their physical vigor and capacity for work, as well as improve their health. This applies particularly to the government clerks, and I sincerely hope that the proposed public golf course will soon be opened, and that men and women of sedentary habits here will be enabled to get this splendid form of exercise.”
Godfreydaniel over 8 years ago
Imagine how much Taft would’ve weighed if he weren’t occasionally walking 18 holes on golf courses!
neverenoughgold over 8 years ago
Who says you need to be good at anything to be elected president? We pretty much proved this in the last two elections…
Joken' over 8 years ago
He wouldn’t make a good president, he tells the truth!
DavidErman almost 4 years ago
Did Reagan play golf? Carter? The last 5 I remember playing golf.