Playing the game of golf diplomacy

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull conducted golf diplomacy to make a personal connection with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders had a friendly chat on the phone in November, and Mr Turnbull congratulated the American leader on his electoral triumph. The rewards of the Turnbull initiative were shortlived, however, as the two men have had a serious falling out over a critical matter of foreign policy.

The game of golf is part of US presidential folklore. Woodrow Wilson played on doctor's orders. John F Kennedy was obsessively secret about his love for the game. Dwight D Eisenhower found the sport necessary to release tension. Now, some foreign leaders are attempting to forge personal connections with President Trump through the game, knowing the billionaire's fondness for the sport and his ownership of 17 luxury golf resorts.

Mr Turnbull enlisted the help of former Australian golf world champion Greg Norman - who is Mr Trump's golfing friend - in order to speak to the president-elect following his election victory in November last year. Mr Trump's connection with the golf champion enabled Mr Turnbull to get ahead of other world leaders waiting in line to speak to the president-elect on the phone.