much time on the golf course . Eisenhower 's solution ? In 1954 he had a putting green installed at the White House a short stroll from the Oval Office to enable him to practice while at work which was regularly used by subsequent presidents and still exists to this day . The former five-star general was also a member at the Augusta National Golf Club where a overhanging tree on the 17th hole proved such an obstacle to the leader that it was dubbed the `` Eisenhower Tree . '' There is little doubt though that John F. Kennedy was the most talented presidential golfer , although he was reluctant to associate with the game . During his run for president in 1960 , Kennedy did everything possible to keep his fellow Americans from discovering that he not only loved the game but was nearly as good as a club professional and was said to have had a beautiful natural swing . Throughout Eisenhower 's two terms Kennedy had portrayed him as someone who cared more about lowering his handicap than improving the lives of ordinary Americans , so information about his passion for the links only really came
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- When Barack Obama was elected U.S. president he probably did not realize it would give him a chance to pick up tips on his backswing from the world 's elite golfers . U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden make use of the White House putting green . Obama is the honorary chairman for the 2009 Presidents Cup which will be contested at Harding Park Golf Course in San Francisco this week where the top U.S. golfers take on the best players from around the world outside of Europe . As a golf enthusiast , and keen amateur player , the president will get the chance to pick the brains of Tiger Woods , Phil Mickelson , Ernie Els and Vijay Singh on how to improve his game . But he is not the first to take to the greens while occupying the Oval Office with 15 of the last 18 U.S. presidents said to have played the sport while in power . Living Golf 's gallery of presidential putters . '' Dwight Eisenhower is recognized as probably the most dedicated to the sport , and was often criticized by Democrats for spending too