President-elect Barack Obama left his vacation rental house at noon yesterday, 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 a sport utility vehicle with his motorcade intact to head to the Olomana Golf Links, a public course on the edge of Waimanalo.

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-Hawai'i 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.

Earlier yesterday, Obama and his wife, Michelle, with iPod and headphones in hand and both wearing gym clothes, had a 45-minute workout at the Semper Fit Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kane'ohe Bay.

The Marine base had little activity as the Obamas' motorcade headed to the gym.

Obama's gray shirt was soaked with sweat when he emerged from the gym at about 8:10 a.m. He was followed by a couple of Marines in civilian workout gear and lifted his right hand to give a quick salute to a couple of uniformed Marines standing not far away.

At the golf course Obama told photographers: "OK guys, come on," in his first encounter with the pool since he arrived in Hawai'i. "How many shots do you need?"

It was unclear who was golfing with Obama, but they appeared to be friends from Hawai'i.

He stepped up to the driving range and stretched for several minutes, putting the club behind his back and bending over slowly. He hit several practice shots, 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.