What Barack Obama said to Stephen Curry during a golf match to get under his skin

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When the greatest shooter in NBA history steps onto the golf course with the 44th President of the United States, the match means something.

The relationship between Stephen Curry and Barack Obama has long been defined by a mutual respect. Over the years, the two have shared numerous rounds of golf, often joined by family members like Dell Curry or fellow athletes. But these outings are far from casual.

While most people see the former President as the epitome of composed diplomacy, the golf course reveals a different side of Obama. The same cool and calm he used as President while giving his speeches, he uses to dismantle his opponents mentally on the course. 

Curry once fell victim to this and revealed the trash talk Obama used to get in his head.

What Barack Obama said to Stephen Curry to get in his head on the golf course

Curry, appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres show, spoke about just how effective Obama’s trash talk was when they played together.

The four-time NBA champion said, “During his speeches, he has that very slow cadence that kind of draws you in. He brings that same kind of vibe to his trash talk.

“So I’ll hit a shot out of bounds, and he’ll just look like, ‘Yeah, that’s not a good shot. I’m going to need you to do better next time’. So it gets under your skin, too, because I’m like, ‘I know. I hit out of bounds.'”

It sounds like Obama comes across like a disappointed dad rather than a competitive trash talker, but that must be even more cutting!

Barack Obama’s golfing handicap

Beyond the psychological warfare, the reality is that Obama is a genuinely formidable presence on the course.

While his handicap is often reported to be in the low teens, typically between a 13 and 17, he is known for a straight and steady game that punishes flashy players who make mistakes. 

He might not outdrive a pro-level amateur like Curry, who has played in PGA tour events, but his ability to remain unflappable under pressure makes him a difficult man to beat in a match-play format.

Observers have noted that Obama’s putting and iron play are remarkably consistent for a man who spent eight years with very little time for practice. His game is a reflection of his public persona: methodical and patient.