Commander in Cheat How Golf Explains Trump

New York Times Bestseller

What can a man’s golf game reveal about his character? According to acclaimed sportswriter Rick Reilly, absolutely everything. In this wickedly entertaining exposé, Reilly takes readers inside Donald Trump’s world of golf—where the greens become a stage for deception, the scorecards tell tall tales, and the rules are merely suggestions.

Drawing on his own firsthand experiences and interviews with over 100 golf professionals, amateurs, developers, and caddies, Reilly unveils a pattern of behavior that’s as audacious as it is revealing. From the infamous “Trump Bump” (creative score adjustments) to questionable club championship victories, this book chronicles how Trump’s approach to the gentleman’s game mirrors his approach to business and politics.

But Commander in Cheat isn’t just about golf. It’s a character study wrapped in a sports story, examining how someone behaves when they think no one important is watching. The book exposes stiffed contractors, intimidated neighbors, and a win-at-all-costs mentality that knows no bounds—even if it means driving golf carts where they should never go.

As The New Yorker notes, “Reilly pokes more holes in Trump’s claims than there are sand traps on all of his courses combined.” The Chicago Sun-Times calls it “shocking, wildly humorous,” while The Ringer declares, “Every one of Trump’s most disgusting qualities surfaces in golf.”

Sharp, startling, and surprisingly hilarious, this is essential reading for anyone curious about what happens when power meets the back nine.

Additional information