You’re entitled to your opinion! Donald Trump’s golf game has sparked both praise and criticism. Supporters often highlight his low handicap and dedication to the sport—he’s played hundreds of rounds and owns several golf courses. Critics, on the other hand, question the accuracy of his reported scores and accuse him of stretching the rules.

Whether he’s “lousy” depends on how you define it—skill-wise, he plays frequently and claims a low handicap, but his reputation for bending golf etiquette is well documented. 

So find an analysis of his golfing claims below;

Donald Trump’s Claimed Handicap

Trump has claimed a USGA handicap of around 2.8 at one point, which would make him an exceptionally skilled amateur golfer. For reference:

• Scratch golfer = Handicap 0

• Average male golfer = Handicap ~14–16

• Tour pros = Often play to +4 or better (yes, that’s “plus”)

A 2.8 handicap suggests he could regularly shoot scores in the mid-70s on tough courses. That’s better than about 95% of all amateur golfers.

But Is That Realistic?

Many golf insiders and journalists are skeptical. Here’s why:

🚩 Red Flags:

• Rarely posts official scores: Trump reportedly has only posted a handful of rounds to the USGA system over many years, which makes a low handicap suspicious.

• Multiple eyewitness accounts of cheating:

  • Moving his ball to a better lie

  • Taking mulligans (do-overs)

  • “Forgetting” penalty strokes

  • Taking credit for shots he didn’t hit (even once for a hole-in-one)

📚 From Commander in Cheat (by Rick Reilly):

• Reilly alleges Trump “cheats like a mafia accountant” and recounts numerous stories from fellow players, caddies, and even his own Secret Service agents.

• One caddie said, “He’s by far the worst cheat in golf.”

So Is He a “Lousy Golfer”?

It depends on what you mean: