If Michael Jordan were to put a dream golf team together, he would not include President Barack Obama, and in fact, he called the nation’s leader is a “hack” when it comes to the game.
In an interview with
Ahmad Rashad of Back 9 Network, Jordan made it clear his strong view on Obama’s golfing skills wasn’t politically motivated.
"I never said he wasn’t a great politician," Jordan said when Rashad questioned whether the basketball star really wanted to call the president a "hack." "I’m just saying he’s a s—y golfer."
Rashad asked Jordan to put together his dream foursome and, after shooting down Rashad as a part of that group, Jordan started to include Obama.
“I’ve never played with Obama, but I would,” he said. “But nah, that’s OK. I’d take him out. He’s a hack. It’d be all day playing with him.”
Rashad didn’t agree with Jordan, saying, “No, he’s not a bad golfer.”
According to The New York Times, Rashad has an insider’s knowledge about the president’s golf game. Rashad was apparently dating or "romantically linked" with presidential aide Valerie Jarrett and hits the greens with POTUS frequently, the Times said.
In a September New York Times article, Obama said he primarily enjoys the opportunity be outside during golf games.
“Every president needs a space where he can be quiet and let loose and feel normal,” Obama told the Times. “And when I’m with Marvin (Nicholson), we can talk the same way we would if we were just a couple of guys having a beer and whacking a ball around. It is the only time I can get four or five hours outside, and I don’t have the option to take long walks through a city.”
The Times said Obama has an 18 handicap;
Golf Digest reported in 2013 that Jordan had a 3 handicap.