President-elect Barack Obama left his vacation rental house at noon today, with a tee-time at a nearby golf course awaiting.

At 12:15 p.m., with media watching from a distance, Obama laced up his white shoes in the backseat of an SUV with his motorcade intact to head to the Olomana Golf Links, a public course on the edge of Kailua.

The recent heavy rains have made for some soggy golf conditions at the par-72 course. Olomana is a relatively short course at 5,905 yards with a 128 slope rating. Kama'aina rates for weekends are $48, while non-Hawaii resident fees are $80.

Obama, wearing black shades, a white polo shirt, light-brown cargo shorts, short white socks and golf shoes, made his way toward the driving range before teeing off.

When he spotted media standing about 15 feet away on the other side of a fence and briefly smiled as he walked past.

"OK guys, come on," Obama said, looking toward the photographers as they snapped away, his first encounter with the pool since he arrived in Hawaii. "How many shots do you need?"

It was unclear who was golfing with Obama, but it appeared to be friends from Hawaii. He stepped up to the driving range and stretched for several minutes, putting the club behind his back and bending over slowly, as he got ready for his game. He swung several practice puts, the first going far off to the right, with the following shots straightening out and growing in distance.

"He's a lefty!" said one man, who was peering through the fence at Obama.

Eugene Kang, a political aide who is along on the trip, also accompanied Obama to the driving range where he hit the ball well.

The golfing commenced shortly after 12:30 p.m. They are set to play 18 holes.