Trump’s Golf Skills on Display: A Casual Round with Celebrities and a Memorable Chip Shot

President Donald Trump recently showcased his golf prowess during a round with some high-profile companions. In a video shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump was seen golfing alongside LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and Fox News anchor Bret Baier. The clip captured a moment that seemed to validate Trump’s frequently touted golfing credentials, as he successfully executed a chip shot that rolled smoothly into the hole. While the ball didn’t soar through the air, its path was direct and accurate, prompting one of his fellow golfers to exclaim “One time!” in appreciation. Trump, visibly pleased with his shot, walked away smiling, later captioning the social media post with a simple “Winning is always nice!” This casual display of skill came during a week when the 47th president had been particularly vocal about his claimed 38 golf club championships.

The golf video emerged shortly after Trump took another opportunity to comment on former President Biden’s golf abilities during a Thanksgiving video call with U.S. military members. When asked by a petty officer about his “true golf handicap” and whether he and President Biden would ever play their much-discussed potential match, Trump responded with characteristic confidence. “I mean, I’ve invited him, but he doesn’t want to show up,” Trump stated, before offering a critical assessment of Biden’s abilities on the course. “Biden can’t hit a ball 30 yards. I’m telling you, I looked at his swing. He cannot hit a ball 30 yards,” Trump claimed, also disputing Biden’s self-reported handicap. During their June presidential debate, Biden had claimed to be a six handicapper, which Trump challenged, saying Biden quickly revised to an eight. “That was quick. I picked up two,” Trump remarked, suggesting Biden had exaggerated his golfing skill.

Trump took the military call as an opportunity to elaborate on his own golfing credentials, reiterating his claim of winning 38 club championships throughout his life. “I’ve won 38 club championships, and I don’t get to practice much. I won one last year. I won a club championship at a big club, beating a 27-year-old kid,” Trump boasted. He recounted telling his younger opponent, “I’m decades older than you, but the fairway doesn’t know how old you are as you walk up the middle, and he’s in the rough.” This anecdote seemed designed to underscore not just Trump’s golfing ability, but also his competitive spirit regardless of age – a theme he has often emphasized in both his political and personal narratives.

When pressed about his specific handicap, Trump described himself as “very low handicap” and suggested he plays at or better than scratch golf, which would indicate he typically scores at or below par. “I guess I’m very — I got to be right around scratch or better. I beat a plus-three. That’s three better, three below par,” Trump explained for those unfamiliar with golf terminology. He emphasized that this victory came “in the finals of the club championship last year, with all I was going through and with no practice,” likely alluding to his political and legal challenges during that period. The consistent references to his golfing accomplishments reveal how Trump often intertwines his sporting achievements with his broader personal brand of success and winning.

The golf challenge between Trump and Biden first emerged during their June 27, 2024, presidential debate in Atlanta, where Trump initially critiqued Biden’s golf game. Following the debate, Trump formalized the challenge, offering to donate $1 million to charity if he lost to Biden on the course. This proposed golf match represented one of the more unusual sideshows of the 2024 presidential campaign, blending politics with personal competition in a way that has become characteristic of modern American political discourse. While the match never materialized before Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Trump has continued to reference it, using Biden’s apparent reluctance as another opportunity to question his rival’s capabilities.

Trump’s consistent emphasis on his golfing abilities reflects a broader pattern in how he presents himself publicly – as someone who excels in competitive environments, whether business, politics, or sports. The recent video of his successful chip shot, shared with his followers and now receiving broader media attention, serves as a visual reinforcement of this self-portrayal. While critics might question the significance of a president’s golfing abilities, for Trump, these moments on the course appear to be extensions of his personal brand – opportunities to demonstrate competence, competitive edge, and the winning mindset he frequently references. As he told the military members on the call, “it’s a great game,” one that has clearly played an important role in shaping how Donald Trump sees himself and how he wants others to see him as well.