Donald Trump has visited a golf club on about a quarter of the days he has been president, figures suggest.
Donald Trump has visited a golf club on about a quarter of the days he has been president, figures suggest.
The US leader has spent time at a resort on 91 of the past 364 days, according to White House schedules and pooled press reports.
He has made the most visits to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, dropping in on 40 separate days.
The Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida has hosted the president on 30 visits.
Mr Trump’s relationship with the green has come under continual scrutiny given his frequent criticisms of predecessor Barack Obama’s fondness for 18 holes.
In October 2014, he tweeted: « Can you believe that with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U. S., President Obama spent the day playing golf. Worse than Carter. »
And on the campaign trail he promised voters: « I’m going to be working for you. I’m not going to have time to go play golf. »
By comparison, Mr Obama played 26 rounds by the end of his first year in office, totalling 333 at the end of eight years, according to a count by CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
The White House rarely confirms if Mr Trump is golfing when he visits a course, meaning the total number of rounds played is unknown.
Officials tend to say Mr Trump uses the sport for diplomacy, with White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders claiming earlier this month his golfing outings have helped forge « deeper and better relationships with members of Congress ».
The former reality TV star was reproached over Christmas for reportedly spending six consecutive days at his West Palm Beach, Florida resort after tweeting it was « back to work » on December 25.
