President Donald Trump’s latest self-proclaimed golf victory has reignited a familiar controversy that has followed him for decades. According to a Truth Social post on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the 80-year-old president claimed the Bedminster Club Championship title at his New Jersey course, sweeping both the Senior and Super Senior divisions with a score of 70.
The course plays to par 72, making Trump’s reported score 2 under par — an impressive feat he attributed to raw talent rather than practice. He acknowledged having little time to work on his game while juggling other responsibilities, but maintained his competitors simply lack his natural ability.
Video footage Trump shared depicted what he characterized as the clinching shot: a chip that landed on the green and rolled close to the hole. A voice on the recording praised the moment and congratulated him on capturing both divisions with his 70.
Critics Question the Authenticity
Online skeptics immediately dissected the footage, with some speculating about remote-controlled equipment or strategically placed feet helping the ball along its path. Others pointed out the ball never actually fell into the cup — consistent with Trump’s documented tendency to give himself putts when close. One commenter suggested the swing shown couldn’t possibly yield a 70 without assistance from forward tees.
The victory represents what was described as Trump’s 43rd club championship. He has previously claimed more than 20 such titles through the years, and in a 2013 exchange with businessman Mark Cuban, stated he had won 18. Critics have noted a consistent pattern: these wins occur exclusively at courses he owns. “So weird that he only wins at his own courses,” posted the X account MeidasTouch. Former Illinois GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger called Trump “what a baby.”
A Long History of Accusations
Questions about Trump’s golf honesty stretch back years. Sportswriter Rick Reilly chronicled numerous dubious incidents in “Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump,” a New York Times bestseller documenting the president’s course conduct. The book describes a ball struck into a Los Angeles pond that reappeared in the fairway, with Trump claiming tidal action moved it.
Caddies at Winged Foot, where Trump maintains membership, nicknamed him “Pele” after witnessing repeated instances of him using his foot to reposition balls, Reilly wrote. According to Bryan Marsal, Trump directly confessed to him that cheating was his practice and something he assumed everyone else did as well. An incident previously reported involved Trump’s caddie asserting ownership of a ball on the green that witnesses said belonged to the son of businessman Ted Virtue.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime ally and frequent playing partner, appeared to confirm the irregularities in sworn testimony. Graham indicated that while Trump might not outdrive everyone, no one could outdrive his caddy.
The Tournament That Told a Different Story
The strongest evidence against Trump’s golf prowess comes from the 2006 American Century celebrity tournament in Tahoe, where he competed on neutral ground. He finished 62nd out of 80 celebrities, posting a score 52 over par across three rounds. Social media users routinely resurrect that result as the authentic indicator of his skill level.
Earlier victories have drawn suspicion as well. In January 2025, members arriving for the final round of the Senior Club Championship at Trump International West Palm Beach discovered his name leading the board despite his absence from the opening round. He had substituted a score from a different round played that week, then declared the victory a great honor on social media.
Trump’s relationship with professional golf organizations has experienced its share of strain. The PGA Tour relocated a marquee event in 2016, moving it from Trump National Doral to Mexico City after sponsor Cadillac withdrew. Four days after the Capitol riot, the PGA of America moved the 2022 PGA Championship from Bedminster to Southern Hills in Tulsa. His portfolio includes 18 golf courses across the globe, with 12 located in the United States, three of which are in Florida. Victories at those properties continue to accumulate — along with the skepticism that accompanies them.
