Apr 19th, 2017

Apr 19th, 2017

US President Donald Trump’s golfing habits have become a topic of discussion of late.

Forget about healthcare, the war in Syria, the impending conflict with North Korea and allegations of collusion with the Russian government.

The fact is the 45th American president’s love of navigating the fairways has become an issue that American media and the international community has struggled to come to terms with.

Golf Digest has labelled Trump “golfer-in-chief” after a New York Times report stated the new president has already visited the golf course 19 times in the past 13 weeks.

Current US President Donald Trump believes he's "the best golfer of all the rich people".(Getty)

What’s wrong with that you say?

The leader of the free world deserves to let his hair down, after all it can be stressful job right?

The only problem with Trump’s penchant for putting is that it’s become a priority too early in the piece.

Former US president Barack Obama was known for his love of driving a golf ball but the two-term president didn’t step foot onto a golf course during the first 13 weeks of his tenure.

George W. Bush too loved a round of golf but running the world’s major superpower was more important in the early stages of his presidency.

Bill Clinton, meanwhile, only hit the course three times in the same period.

It wouldn’t be an issue for Trump if he didn’t choose to attack President Obama during his election race with Hilary Clinton.

Trump repeatedly castigated his predecessor for “playing more golf than Tiger Woods”. He was quoted telling a rally in Virginia during his campaign, “I’m going to be working for you” and “I’m not going to have time to play golf.”

Former US President Obama getting in some putting practice at the White House.(Getty)

The president’s son, Eric, believes his father’s love for golf plays a pivotal role in his diplomatic efforts to reach other leaders.

Eric Trump told Golf Digest, that the game of golf breaks down barriers.

"You can sit with somebody in a golf cart where there might be cultural differences and language barriers and have a good time and build a friendship in a way that you could never do sitting across an office table from someone," Trump said.

"If he can befriend people and find common respect, common ground and friendship - if you can have a good time together - then you are always going to see somebody in a very different light than you would with this kind of a relationship or a relationship over the phone, and that's an immensely powerful tool."

President Donald J. Trump has already played a round with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after Japan’s leader presented him with a solid gold driver as a gift. But China’s leader Xi Jinping wasn’t so keen, meeting with the President without lifting a club.

All but four presidents since the beginning of the 20th century have golfed.

Trump likes to brag about his golfing prowess and is said to have won 19 golf championships and possesses a handicap of 2.8 (yeah right).

If this is accurate then Trump is by far the most skilful player of all presidents that held office. Regan, Nixon and Ford held a handicap of 12 while Bush Jr, Clinton and Kennedy scored 10.

But Trump’s skill as a golfer has been questioned in the past.

Actor Samuel L Jackson got into a disagreement with Trump over a match they played years ago. The famed actor said the President cheated. Boxer Oscar De La Hoya also spoke of balls in shrubs that somehow managed to appear on the fairway or close to the hole when he played Trump.

And then there’s musician Alice Cooper, who was once asked who the worst celebrity golf cheat was. He simply replied “I played with Donald Trump one time. That’s all I’m going to say.”