Former President Donald Trump is well known for handing out colorful nicknames to political rivals and public figures—like “Crooked Hillary” and “Sleepy Joe.” But what many may not realize is that he’s also earned a few nicknames of his own, and one of them comes straight from the golf course.
Trump’s love of golf is no secret. Throughout his presidency and beyond, he’s made frequent visits to his own courses, often sharing championship wins with his followers. However, some have questioned how he manages to win so many of these tournaments—especially when, according to reports, he hasn’t always played alongside others or even been present during the competition.
In his book Commander in Cheat, sportswriter Rick Reilly explores Trump’s approach to the game, raising questions about how he claims victory and how he handles the rules. Reilly, who says he once played a round with Trump, described scenarios where he allegedly took multiple mulligans (extra shots) and moved his ball into more favorable positions—actions that some golf purists frown upon.
“There’s a saying in golf—play the ball where it lies,” Reilly explained in a television interview. “But that doesn’t always happen with Trump.”
Others in the golf world have echoed similar stories. Jack O’Donnell, a former Trump casino executive, said colleagues noticed a pattern of adjusting ball placements during rounds. And at Winged Foot, a prestigious golf club in New York where Trump is a member, caddies reportedly nicknamed him “Pelé”—after the legendary soccer player—because of how often he would “kick” the ball back into play.
Longtime member Bryan Marsal once recounted a story where Trump openly acknowledged bending the rules. “He told me, ‘They cheat, I cheat, and you should cheat too—because we’re going to beat them,’” Marsal recalled in an interview with Golf.com.
A Trump campaign spokesperson responded to such claims in a 2024 interview, dismissing them as exaggerations and defending Trump’s golf abilities.
Despite the back-and-forth, one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s style of play has become a talking point in golf circles. Whether it’s viewed as light-hearted gamesmanship or something more serious depends on who you ask.
As with most things involving the former president, opinions vary. But for many, these golf stories offer a revealing look into his competitive spirit—and his approach to winning, both on and off the course.
What do you think? Do playful habits on the golf course matter, or is it all in good fun? Let us know your thoughts in the comments on Facebook.
