'Golf Lover' Trump Played 315 Rounds in First Term... 'Golf Diplomacy' Gains Attention with Trump's Return

Recently, it has been reported that President Yoon Suk-yeol has started practicing golf in preparation for his meeting with President-elect Donald Trump of the United States, bringing renewed attention to Trump’s 'love of golf.'

President-elect of the United States Donald Trump participating in the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Pro-Am. Photo by Yonhap News.

During his first term, President-elect Trump was recorded visiting golf courses 315 times over four years, averaging about 80 rounds per year. This figure was announced by the AP News on December 23, 2020, about a month before the end of his term.

While serving as president, Trump was frequently seen at golf courses on weekends and during vacations. His rounds often included aides, cabinet members, close members of Congress, as well as golf stars such as Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.

One leader who utilized Trump’s affection for golf in diplomacy was former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After Trump’s 2016 election victory was confirmed, Abe reportedly met Trump and gifted him golf clubs.

Following that, Trump and former Prime Minister Abe played five rounds together. Additionally, during Trump’s state visit to Japan in 2019, he spent approximately 1.36 million yen (about 12 million KRW) on golfing.

In May 2019, then President-elect Trump and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are taking a photo after playing golf in Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

Because of this, as Trump’s return to the White House was decided, it has been reported that many world leaders have been considering how to establish natural, friendly relations similar to the example set by former Prime Minister Abe.

The South Korean government is also pushing for an early meeting between President Yoon and President-elect Trump, and it is known that President Yoon, following advice from his circle, has started practicing golf for the first time in eight years since 2016.

Japan’s Jiji Press recently pointed out that golf was an important common ground between Trump and former Prime Minister Abe, while noting that current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba does not play golf.