No other sport inspires a memorable quote quite like golf. During its long and illustrious history, this wonderfully maddening game has compelled not just its greatest players, but presidents, prime ministers, writers and actors to share their words of wisdom.

Golf quotes by politicians

“You learn their honesty, you learn their competitiveness. You learn a lot about a person. It’s not that they have to sink the putt and there’s a great deal of talent involved – but you do learn about how competitive a person is on the golf course, and frankly, how honest.”

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States

“I think golf can be one of those places where we act and we hope that people act as we would like them to act all the time.”

Condoleezza Rice, served as the 66th United States Secretary of State

“Golf is in the interest of good health and good manners.”

William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States

“Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose”

Winston Churchill, Former British Prime Minister

“I know I am getting better at golf because I’m hitting fewer spectators.”

Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States

“The problem with golf is that I have to deal with a humiliation factor.”

George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States

“When you’re on a golf course, a couple of things are very interesting. No matter who you’re with and who you’re playing with, people want each other to do well.”

Condoleezza Rice

Golf quotes by writers and publishers

“Golf combines two favourite American pastimes; taking long walks and hitting things with a stick.”

P.J. O’Rourke, American political satirist and journalist

“It is good sportsmanship not to pick up lost balls while they are still rolling.”

Mark Twain, American writer, humorist, entrepreneur and publisher

“I think golf is literally an addiction. I’m surprised there’s not Golf Anonymous.”

Larry David, American comedian, writer, actor, director, and television producer

“I regard golf as an expensive way of playing marbles.”

Gilbert Keith Chesterton, English writer, philosopher and lay theologian

Golf quotes by actors and musicians

“The golf swing is very, very rhythmic. There’s a certain tempo to it, just like in music.”

Justin Timberlake, American singer, songwriter, actor and record producer

“I’m swimming every day and I’m even trying to get the golf swing working again – but that might take a little bit longer.”

Sean Connery, retired actor and producer from Scotland

“Golf is a search for perfection, for balance. It’s about meditation and concentration. You have to use hand and brain.”

Celine Dion, Canadian star singer

“I’ve spent more time playing golf than anything else the last 18 years. Just wanted to be an 80s-shooter. Got there, too.”

Jack Nicholson, American actor

Golf quotes by famous businessman

“I find golf very relaxing. It’s a way to get away from work and get outside. It’s a lot of fun, and once you get going it’s almost kind of addictive”

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and philanthropist

“If you hit a hole in one every hole, you wouldn’t play golf for very long.”

Warren Buffett, American business magnate and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway