Golfing with Trump: The Business Behind the Game

Donald Trump's relationship with golf extends beyond sport—it's a strategic tool and social arena linking him with influential figures.

Donald Trump has long been associated with golf, but his approach is distinctly different from many previous presidents. While presidents such as Barack Obama viewed it as a leisurely escape from the pressures of the Oval Office, Trump engages with golf as an essential business endeavor and networking opportunity.

This past weekend, Trump was in Scotland to inaugurate a new golf course near Balmedie, continuing his trend of intertwining his presidency with his passion for the sport. Mick Mulvaney, who served as Trump’s White House chief of staff, recalls numerous rounds of golf with Trump, often describing it as a relentlessly competitive environment. "If you’re slow on the course, you're simply not invited back,” Mulvaney shares, emphasizing the former president's commitment to maintaining an efficient pace of play.

Trump, who acquired his first golf property in 1999 and now owns several courses in the U.S. and the U.K., sees golf as a significant vehicle for cultivating important relationships. Higher-end courses, like Turnberry in Scotland, were part of Trump's strategy to attract a wealthy clientele, emphasizing the social aspect of golf as a breeding ground for business deals and political alliances.

Through golfing, Trump has developed connections with world leaders, exemplified by his rounds with figures like Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, where discussions ranged from serious global issues to personal camaraderie on the greens.

Critics and analysts, however, point out Trump's penchant for transactional relationships. David Cay Johnston, a long-time observer of Trump’s rise, notes that engaging with Trump often requires a self-serving understanding of his motivations, especially for business leaders and foreign officials.

Golf serves as a relatively private arena for such connections, allowing Trump and his partners to converse away from the media spotlight. Yet opinions on Trump’s golfing prowess vary widely. While Trump boasts about numerous personal victories and tournaments, some report claims of cheating and exaggeration.

Despite the debates surrounding his golfing skills, Mulvaney emphasizes that to Trump, it has always primarily been about the enjoyment of the game—one that he embraced long before entering public office and will continue to enjoy long after.