Is Donald Trump Secretly a Pro Golfer? A Look at His “Low Handicap” Claims

In a world full of wild claims, Donald Trump’s assertion about his golf skills might just take the cake. The former President, never one to shy away from a bit of self-praise, recently doubled down on his claim of having a “very low handicap.” 

And as you’d expect, the internet, especially the golf community, had some thoughts. This time, even a veteran PGA caddie couldn’t resist weighing in, calling Trump “batsh*t crazy” in a tweet that has since stirred the pot. 

So, let’s unpack this whole saga. Is Trump a secret golf prodigy, or is this just another tall tale from the master of them? One thing is for sure: the American president never leaves an opportunity to stay in the limelight.

During a Thanksgiving call with military service members, what started as a festive chat quickly turned into a classic Trump moment. When asked about his golf handicap, he didn’t just give a number; he launched into a story of his supposed greatness on the links.

Trump’s “Scratch or Better” Handicap Claim

“I’ve won 38 club championships, and I don’t get to practice,” Trump declared. “So I’m a very low handicap… I guess I got to be around scratch or better.”

He even threw in a story about beating a “plus-3” player in a club championship final, a feat that would put him in the upper echelon of amateur golfers. For those not fluent in golf lingo, a plus-3 handicap means the player is expected to shoot three strokes under par on average. 

Beating a player of that caliber is no small feat, especially for someone who claims to have “no practice.” It’s the kind of boast that makes you raise an eyebrow so high it nearly flies off your forehead.

A PGA Caddie’s Sarcastic (and Supportive?) Take

The claim was so audacious that it caught the attention of veteran PGA caddie Kip Henley. In a now-famous tweet, Henley couldn’t help but add his two cents, mixing a healthy dose of sarcasm with some unexpected political support.

“I have won one club championship in my life. Just sayin,” Henley quipped, subtly highlighting the absurdity of Trump’s 38-championship claim. But then, he pivoted in a way that left many scratching their heads. “This man is still going to do more to drain the swamp than any President in the history of our country. He’s batsh*t crazy but not bought by anyone. You guys need to let up and let him work.”

It’s a bizarre cocktail of criticism and praise. He essentially calls Trump’s golf claim insane while simultaneously endorsing his political agenda. It perfectly encapsulates the polarizing effect Trump has—you can think he’s completely off his rocker but still want him in office. This strange endorsement from a golf insider adds another weird layer to an already weird story.

So, How Good is Trump at Golf, Really?

Let’s be real: Trump is a passionate golfer and owns some of the most beautiful courses in the world. He’s not just hacking it around on a Sunday. Golf Digest reported his handicap as a respectable 2.8 back in 2017. That’s legitimately good—way better than your average weekend warrior. But it’s a universe away from being “scratch or better.”

The “38 club championships” claim is where things get truly murky. While he’s likely won championships at his own clubs (where, let’s face it, the competition might not be PGA Tour level), the number itself seems… inflated. It has the same energy as a kid claiming he beat every level of a video game without ever losing a life. It’s technically possible, but highly improbable.

This isn’t the first time Trump’s golf game has made headlines. He once challenged President Joe Biden to a golf match for charity, mocking Biden’s own handicap claim and boasting he could easily win. “He said he’s a six. I said, ‘You’re not a 60,’” Trump joked. It’s classic political theater, using the golf course as another arena for one-upmanship.

In the end, does it matter if Trump’s handicap is 2.8 or -3? Probably not. It’s just another chapter in the long book of Trump’s larger-than-life persona. He’s a showman, and whether he’s on the campaign trail or the 18th hole, he knows how to get people talking. And love him or hate him, you have to admit, it’s never, ever boring.