You’re standing on the first tee. You glance over your shoulder—and the 44th President of the United States is watching your swing.
No pressure, right?
That’s exactly where Tiger Woods found himself during one of the most surreal and historic rounds of his career. In February 2013, at The Floridian Golf and Yacht Club, Tiger teed it up alongside President Barack Obama for the first time. And what could’ve just been a polite round of golf between icons turned into something far more memorable—both for Tiger, and, according to him, for the man holding the nuclear codes.
“Playing with Mr. President was pretty cool,” Tiger said after the round. “He’s just a wonderful person to be around. And we won.”
Yeah—he slipped that in casually. They won.
The Day Tiger Teamed Up with the President
The round happened during Obama’s Presidents Day weekend vacation. The foursome was stacked: Tiger Woods, President Obama, U.S. Trade Rep Ron Kirk, and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane (who also owned the club). The headlines came fast: the most famous golfer in the world playing with the most powerful man in the world.
Tiger didn’t just show up for the handshake and photo op. He came to play. And so did Obama.
“He’s got amazing touch,” Tiger said. “He can certainly chip and putt.”
You could almost hear the surprise in his voice. Because let’s be honest—nobody expects a U.S. President to have a silky short game.
But Tiger wasn’t just handing out compliments like presidential pardons. He genuinely seemed impressed by Obama’s ability, especially given the windy Florida conditions. He called him a “pretty good athlete” and hinted that if Obama had more time to focus on his swing, he’d be a “pretty good stick.”
Golf nerd translation? The man can play.
Not Just Another Round
This wasn’t a casual Sunday knockabout. There was process. Protocol. Invitations. Secret Service. And then, somewhere amid all that, there was actual golf.
Tiger explained, “There’s a process that’s involved and I was invited to play. It was an invitation that certainly you don’t turn down.”
And really, who would?
You don’t say no to a round with the President—especially one who shares your obsession with the game.
They paired up as teammates, and the chemistry worked. Despite swirling winds and tight fairways, they gelled. Woods later described Obama’s game as “straight,” even if not particularly long. Which, for any golfer who’s played in a scramble, you’ll know is exactly what you want in a partner.
“Straight, Competitive… and Fast?”
Tiger has played with more than one Commander-in-Chief, and when asked about it, his assessments were short, sharp, and revealing.
- George H.W. Bush? “Fast.” As in: you’d be lucky to finish your swing before he’s teeing off on the next hole.
- Bill Clinton? “Lots of cuts.” Make of that what you will.
- Barack Obama? “Straight. Extremely competitive.”
That last part stands out. Competitive. Even off-duty, even surrounded by advisors and cameras and media buzz, Obama still brought that edge. The same edge Tiger has leaned on his whole career.
The Second Round—and a Different Tiger
Woods and Obama reunited for another round in 2018, long after both had stepped away from their respective peak roles. By that point, Tiger was deep into his comeback, and according to those on the course, he seemed like “a totally different person.” More relaxed. More present. Maybe even… excited to play again.
That second game wasn’t about headlines or optics. It was just two guys who love the game, spending four hours chasing birdies and ribbing each other over missed putts. The kind of round we all dream of—just with slightly more Secret Service and slightly fewer breakfast balls.
More Than a Round
There’s a certain poetry to it. Tiger Woods, one of the most scrutinized athletes of all time, stepping onto the tee with one of the most scrutinized world leaders of all time. No scripts. No speeches. Just the crack of a well-struck iron and the silence that follows a knee-knocking putt.
It was, as Tiger put it, “pretty cool.” And in the understated world of golf speak, that might be the highest compliment of all.
“He’s got amazing touch. He can certainly chip and putt.” — Tiger Woods on President Obama