Obama hits the golf course in Hawaii

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On the first sunny day of his Hawaiian vacation, President Obama hit the links Saturday, golfing at a Marine base course on the Mokapu Pennisula.

Framed by lush green mountains and a light blue sea, the course typically charges guests $38 for 18 holes. (There was no word whether the president was asked to cough up fees.)

The White House said Obama golfed with close friend Eric Whitaker and three buddies from Hawaii.

It was the president’s second visit to the military base Saturday -- he and First Lady Michelle Obama worked out before sunrise, as they did on Christmas Day.

While Obama was known for his basketball prowess on the campaign trail, he’s gravitated to golf since becoming president. The Wall Street Journal reported in November that he’d played only seven known games of basketball since taking office, and 25 rounds of golf. The White House explained in response that golf got the president outside.

-- Alana Semuels