U.S. President Donald Trump has once again been accused of disregarding the rules of golf, following the release of footage from a recent outing at his Turnberry resort in Scotland.
The videos, which circulated widely on social media, appear to show Trump receiving assistance from a caddie who drops a ball in a more favorable position prior to Trump taking a shot.
In the footage, Trump arrives in a golf cart near a bunker, with rough terrain nearby. As he approaches, a caddie is seen bending down and placing a ball on the ground in front of him.
Trump then exits the cart with a club and walks toward the newly positioned ball. The clip ends before he takes his shot. A separate video from the same outing captures Trump attempting a chip shot from the rough, which lands in a bunker.
He subsequently plays the ball onto the green. After an initial missed putt, Trump attempts a second, which also fails to reach the hole. Rather than completing the hole, he picks up his ball, ending the sequence.
Allegations with past behavior
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny for his conduct on the golf course. Sportswriter Rick Reilly, in his 2019 book Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump, documented numerous claims from caddies and fellow golfers who accused Trump of frequent rule violations.
According to Reilly, Trump’s behavior included moving his ball, claiming unearned strokes, and interfering with other players’ shots. Caddies at Winged Foot Golf Club reportedly nicknamed him “Pele” due to his tendency to kick the ball into better positions.
Public figures have also made similar accusations. Actor Samuel L. Jackson previously alleged that Trump cheated during a round they played together. Actor Anthony Anderson made a comparable claim in 2016.
The latest footage has reignited public debate. Online commentators have criticized Trump for what they interpret as clear violations of golf etiquette and integrity. Some described the caddie’s actions as deliberate ball placement in violation of the rules, and mocked Trump for avoiding completing holes after poor performances.
MAGA followers jump to his defense
Defenders of Trump, however, have suggested that the ball drop could have been part of a legitimate provisional play, such as after a lost ball or an unplayable lie.
Others pointed to his past performances, arguing that he has demonstrated legitimate skill on the course and occasionally receives “gimme” putts to speed up play.
During the same weekend, Trump met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Turnberry. Trump cited the situation in Gaza as a major topic of discussion.
He also expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin and addressed speculation regarding Jeffrey Epstein, stating he had never visited Epstein’s island and had no particular interest in the related files.
While the golfing incident may appear minor, it has once again drawn attention to Trump’s long-documented history with the sport and added to broader concerns about his approach to rules and accountability.
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