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How Barack Obama is spending his first proper holiday in eight long years.

If anyone’s overdue for a vacation, it must be the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and his family.

The four of them – Obama and his wife Michelle, as well as their two daughters Malia, 18, and Sasha, 15 – have been in the White House for eight years.

Eight years of being on call 24/7. Eight years of tough decisions, hard bargaining, being stalked by press and stressing that the world should not implode on your watch.

Barack Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and Michelle Obama. Image: Getty.

Now, it's time for a holiday. Starting with a round of golf.

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TMZ reported Obama kicked off his vacation with 18 holes at Porcupine Creek Ranch in Rancho Mirage in California on Saturday.

He was accompanied by friends and a handful of secret service members, of course.

Barack Obama and daughter Malia. Image: Getty.

Obama told CBS News last week that the family was happy to be leaving the White House.

"They’re ready to go," he said in an interview with reporter Steve Kroft.

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"I mean, the girls are now of an age in which the constraints of Secret Service and bubbles and all that stuff has gotten pretty old. Michelle never fully took to the scrutiny. She’s thrived as a first lady, but it’s not her preference."

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But after their vacation, both the former president and his wife will be back to work.

"It has been the honour of my life to serve you," he said in his Farewell Speech in Chicago earlier this month.  "I won’t stop; in fact, I will be right there with you, as a citizen, for all my days that remain."

He shared the same sentiment trough Twitter on Saturday, reverting back to his personal account.

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Here's to a well-earned break, and the hard work that lies ahead.