Obama, John Key hit golf course in Hawaii

Barack Obama and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key drive up to the green of the second hole at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. Photo / AFP

Prime Minister John Key and son Max were this morning playing golf with Barack Obama near the US President's Hawaii holiday home.

Mr Key, who also has a holiday home on the island, hit the golf course on a sunny and breezy morning on the island of Oahu.

They were playing at a course on a military base near Mr Obama's rented holiday home.

Mr Obama's personal aide completed the foursome, AP reported.

President Barack Obama walks with Prime Minister John Key to the second green as they golf at Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. Photo / AP

The golf outing put Key in rarified company. Obama is an avid golfer, but prefers to limit his playing partners to a close circle of friends and advisers.

Among those who have also scored invitations to play with Obama in the past are former President Bill Clinton and House Speaker John Boehner.

Media access to Obama's rounds is typically restricted, though reporters and photographers were permitted to briefly watch the two leaders.

The foursome pulled up to the green on the second hole in two golf carts, with the president and prime minister driving together. Obama's first putt was short of the hole and his second landed just wide.

Rather than putt a third time, he opted for a gimme shot, where all players agree to count a shot as made rather than take another stroke.

After the younger Key sank his putt, Obama gave him a high-five and joked, "He's doing it in front of the cameras, too."

White House aide and speechwriter Ben Rhodes tweeted about the outing this morning.

Today POTUS is golfing with Prime Minister Key here in Hawaii - New Zeland is one of our closest friends (and home to very good golfers...)