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.