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Obama opens up about his golf game: Sand tips needed

President Barack Obama reacts after putting on the first green as he plays golf at Farm Neck Golf Course in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016. The president and his family are vacationing on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

1 minute to read

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) — President Barack Obama says he needs some help with his sand shots as he opens up about his golf game.

The president, an avid weekend golfer, hit the links on Sunday during his first full day of a two-week vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. The Cape Cod Times reports the presidential motorcade arrived at the Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs. The motorcade passed a sign that said “Welcome back, First Family.”

Obama estimates he has a handicap of 13. A handicap score allows players of varying abilities to compete fairly. The lower the handicap, the better the player.

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In summing up his game in an interview that ran Sunday on the Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive,” Obama says he’s “not a hack, but I’m not quitting my day job.”

Overall, he hits a straight drive. He’s also a decent chipper, but says his sand game is terrible, and the difference between a score in the low 80s and high 80s generally depends on how many bunkers he hits.