Golfers Awarded United States Congressional or Presidential Medals

Two of the highest non-military honors the United States can bestow on civilians are the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And some golfers have been awarded one or the other — some golfers have even gotten both.

The biggest difference between the two awards? It's right there in their names: One is awarded by the United States Congress, following votes in the House of Representatives and the Senate; the other is awarded by the President, at the President's discretion or after recommendation to the President by an advisory board.

Another difference is their age: the Gold Medal has been awarded since 1776, from the very founding of the nation; the Medal of Freedom was established and first awarded in 1963.

Golfers Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal

On the official website of the House of Representatives, it says this about the Congressional Gold Medal: "Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions."

Before a Gold Medal is awarded, legislation must be introduced in the House of Representatives authorizing it. The legislation must be co-sponsored by two-thirds of the members of the House, pass out of the House, be co-sponsored by two-thirds of the Senate, and pass the Senate.

These are the recipients of the medal from the world of golf (with quotations from the House website):

• Byron Nelson was awarded (posthumously) the medal in 2006. He was "recognized for his significant contributions to the game of golf as a player, a teacher, and a commentator."
• Arnold Palmer was awarded the medal in 2009. He was "recognized for his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf."
• Jack Nicklaus was awarded the medal in 2014. He was recognized for "his service to the Nation in promoting excellence, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy."

You can view the complete list of Congressional Gold Medal recipients, going back to the very first (George Washington in 1776), here.

Golfers Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

According to the White House website, "The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

These golfers have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

• Arnold Palmer received the medal from President George W. Bush in 2004.
• Jack Nicklaus received the medal from President George W. Bush in 2005.
• Charlie Sifford received the medal from President Barack Obama in 2014.
• Tiger Woods received the medal from President Donald Trump in 2019.
• Babe Didrikson Zaharias received the medal (posthumously) from President Donald Trump in 2021.
• Gary Player received the medal from President Donald Trump in 2021.
• Annika Sorenstam received the medal from President Donald Trump in 2021.

You can view the full list of recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom here.