President Donald Trump’s golf game is under fire again, this time from a former NFL star who isn’t buying the commander-in-chief’s claims of a stellar round. Arian Foster, the ex-Houston Texans running back, has publicly accused Trump of cheating on the course, adding to a growing chorus of skeptics.
Trump recently won both the Senior and Super Senior divisions at his Bedminster, New Jersey club, boasting a score of 70. He took to Truth Social to celebrate, writing, "I won with a score of 70, and am so honored in that, unlike the rest of the field, I’m given very little time to practice, because I’m so focused on many other things. It’s called TALENT, and I have it, and they don’t!"
But Foster, who co-hosts the podcast Macrodosing, isn’t impressed. In a recent Instagram post, he said, "2 things can be true in that Trump can be good at golf, but he also cheats at golf." Foster’s comments echo those of former ESPN columnist Rick Reilly, who wrote a book detailing Trump’s alleged on-course antics.
Reilly’s book paints a colorful picture of Trump’s golfing habits, from kicking his ball so often that caddies nicknamed him "Pelé" to driving carts on greens. "You’re mostly laughing," Reilly wrote, "but at times you’re crying – how did this happen? As a golfer he really offends me. Cheating? Hate that. Driving carts on greens? Hate that. Wearing old dockers two sizes too small for him? Give me a break. Kicking your ball so often the caddies call you Pelé? I so hate that. Most of all I hate how stupid he’s making my country look."
Reilly claims to have witnessed the behavior firsthand, recalling a round with Trump in the late 1980s at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. "The first time I met him we were playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He comes over and says, ‘It’s Rick Reilly, the greatest sportswriter in the world.’ There’s always an angle with Trump," Reilly said. "That was the day he took the only gimme chip in I’ve ever seen. A chip is a gimme? Trump’s pretty good off the tee but he chips like Edward Scissorhands. He’ll cheat you on the course and then buy you lunch."
Despite the allegations, Trump has maintained his golf prowess, insisting his busy schedule doesn’t hinder his performance. The controversy comes as Trump’s golf game has been in the spotlight, with his doctor explaining mystery bruises seen at LIV Golf and supporters buzzing over his bruised arm. Even his family has drawn attention, with Ivanka Trump’s Iceland getaway making headlines.
Foster’s accusation adds another layer to the ongoing debate about Trump’s golfing integrity. While some defend his skill, others question how someone with so little practice time can consistently shoot such low scores. For now, the only thing certain is that the debate is far from over.
