Fact check: How does Donald Trump's golf schedule compare to other US presidents?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Donald Trump's golf schedule significantly exceeds that of other US presidents in terms of frequency and time spent. The data reveals several key findings:

Frequency and Time Allocation:

• Trump averaged one golf outing every 5.9 days, compared to Obama's average of one round every 8.8 days ^[1]
• During his presidency, Trump spent 25.37% of his time golfing, with 17 days spent golfing out of 67 days in office ^[2]
• In his first 152-159 days in office, Trump golfed 37 times, representing 23.3% of his time ^{[3] [4]}
• Early in his presidency, Trump spent 7 out of 29 days playing golf, nearly a quarter of his time at the White House ^[5]

Financial Impact:

• Trump's golf outings cost taxpayers millions of dollars, with an estimated $51.8 million spent on golfing since January of his presidency ^{[3] [4]}

Historical Comparison:

• While many previous presidents were avid golfers, including Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower ^[6], Trump's frequency and the controversy surrounding his golfing habits distinguish him from his predecessors.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements often missing from discussions about presidential golfing:

Historical Presidential Golfing Patterns:

• Golf has a long history in the White House, with many presidents using it as both recreation and for conducting business ^[6]
• Some presidents like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush curtailed their golfing due to pressing presidential duties ^[6]
• Woodrow Wilson and Dwight Eisenhower were frequent golfers during their presidencies ^[6]

Business and Diplomatic Functions:

• Trump's golfing is described as "an integral part of his presidential style" with significant business conducted on the course ^[6]
• The golf outings serve multiple purposes beyond recreation, including diplomatic and business meetings

Economic Beneficiaries:

• Trump's own golf resorts benefit financially from presidential visits, as he spent nearly every weekend at his properties ^[1]
• Security contractors and related service providers benefit from the expensive security arrangements required for presidential golf outings

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual, asking for a comparison rather than making claims. However, potential areas of bias in broader discussions about this topic include:

Incomplete Financial Disclosure:

• Many discussions fail to mention that Trump's golf outings primarily occurred at his own properties, creating a direct financial benefit to his businesses ^[1]
• The $51.8 million taxpayer cost is often underreported or omitted from favorable coverage ^{[3] [4]}

Historical Context Omission:

• Some coverage fails to acknowledge that golf has been a presidential tradition for over a century, potentially making Trump's habits seem more unusual than they are historically ^[6]

Partisan Framing:

• Critics describe Trump as working a "part-time job" due to his golf schedule ^[5], while supporters might emphasize the business conducted during these outings
• The framing often depends on political perspective, with some viewing it as neglect of duties while others see it as an alternative form of presidential engagement

The data consistently shows that Trump's golf frequency exceeded that of previous presidents, but the interpretation of this fact varies significantly based on political viewpoint and whether the business aspects of his golf outings are considered legitimate presidential activities.