Clearly trying to be like Trump.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz put his golf game on public display over the weekend, and the Democrat’s attempt at a casual moment quickly became fresh material for critics online.
Walz posted a short video of himself playing at Northwest Angle Country Club in Minnesota, giving viewers a look at his swing, his score and an unusual golf outfit that generated almost as much discussion as his performance.
For a politician with national ambitions, stepping onto the golf course also invites an unavoidable comparison with President Donald Trump, whose connection to the sport has been part of his public image for decades.
But after Walz showed America his own golf game, the reaction wasn’t necessarily the kind of publicity a politician hopes to receive.
Tim Walz Shows Off His Golf Swing
The video begins with Walz preparing to tee off while surrounded by the unmistakable sights — and insects — of a Minnesota summer.
Almost immediately, experienced golfers may notice something unusual.
The teeing area doesn’t exactly resemble the carefully manicured tee boxes seen at major championship courses. From the camera angle, Walz appears to be hitting from ordinary grass, and it’s difficult to even spot the tee beneath the ball.
Then comes the swing.
Walz makes solid enough contact, but his abbreviated motion and limited follow-through aren’t exactly what most golfers would associate with a booming drive.
That’s where things get more interesting.
Walz’s Golf Numbers Raise Questions
Walz says he’s playing the sixth hole.
According to information cited in coverage of the video, the hole measures approximately 261 yards and plays as a short par-4.
After his opening shot, Walz indicates that he has approximately 100 yards remaining.
Basic subtraction would put the drive at roughly 161 yards, although exact yardage can vary depending on tee placement, pin location and where the ball actually finished.
For an ordinary recreational golfer, there’s nothing particularly shocking about a drive in that neighborhood.
Plenty of Americans would happily take a 160-yard shot that lands somewhere they can find it.
But nobody is likely to confuse the governor’s swing with something coming off the PGA Tour.
And once a politician voluntarily puts his golf game on social media, viewers are naturally going to analyze every shot.
WATCH:
Top-notch golf in the Northwest Angle. pic.twitter.com/kPAz3YhdXI
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) August 8, 2026
Trump Set a Very Different Golf Standard
That’s especially true when the politician is Tim Walz.
President Donald Trump has been closely associated with golf for decades. He owns prominent golf properties and has spent years playing the game in the public eye.
Trump’s golf swing has even become instantly recognizable to many Americans.
So when another nationally known politician starts posting golf videos, comparisons are almost inevitable.
That doesn’t mean Walz was literally attempting to imitate Trump. But it does mean he’s entering territory where the president has considerably more experience.
And for conservatives watching the video, the contrast provided plenty of entertainment.
Then There Was Walz’s Golf Outfit
The governor’s swing wasn’t the only thing attracting attention.
Walz played the hole wearing a quarter-zip without a visible shirt underneath.
It’s certainly one way to beat the summer heat.
It’s also a fashion decision likely to raise a few eyebrows among traditional golfers accustomed to collared shirts and more conventional country-club attire.
Walz appeared completely comfortable with the look, however, and continued playing while battling the swarm of insects around him.
Whatever anyone thinks about his politics, you’ve got to respect the commitment to the quarter-zip.
Walz Finishes With a Bogey
Despite the unconventional swing, Walz ultimately managed to finish the hole with a bogey.
That’s hardly a disaster for a recreational golfer.
In fact, millions of weekend golfers would probably be delighted to walk away from a par-4 only one stroke over par.
But politics changes everything.
When an ordinary American makes a questionable swing on Saturday morning, his friends might tease him about it at the clubhouse.
When a nationally known Democratic governor does it on camera and posts the footage online, the entire internet gets an invitation to join the conversation.
That’s exactly what happened here.
A Casual Video Becomes Political Entertainment
Politicians increasingly use social media to show voters a more relaxed side of themselves.
They cook meals, attend sporting events, visit local businesses and participate in hobbies designed to show Americans that they’re regular people when the cameras aren’t focused on politics.
Sometimes those moments work.
Sometimes they produce an entirely different reaction.
Walz’s golf outing appears to have landed somewhere in the second category, particularly among conservative critics who quickly found plenty to discuss about his swing, his distance and his wardrobe.
Still, the governor deserves some credit.
He stepped up, hit the ball, survived the flies and finished the hole.
And unlike many weekend golfers, he was willing to let the entire country watch.
The Bottom Line
Tim Walz may not be challenging Trump for bragging rights on the golf course anytime soon.
His short video from Northwest Angle Country Club instead became another example of how quickly an attempt at relatable political content can turn into social-media entertainment.
The swing wasn’t textbook. The drive wasn’t enormous. The quarter-zip generated questions.
But Walz got his bogey.
For most golfers over 50, that’s probably the most relatable part of the entire video.
Whether the governor’s golf outing made him look more presidential is another question entirely.
