President Barack Obama has complained about the loss of privacy that comes with being leader of the United States, regretting the loss of simple pleasures such as a long walk or a trip to the car wash or supermarket.

"I just miss – I miss being anonymous," he said. "I miss Saturday morning, rolling out of bed, not shaving, getting into my car with my girls, driving to the supermarket, squeezing the fruit, getting my car washed, taking walks. I can't take a walk."

His dream, he said, was to "go through Central Park and watch folks passing by ... spend the day watching people – I miss that".

Faced with simmering criticism for playing more golf than most previous occupants of the White House, he explained that the sport was simply the best way of getting away from it all.

"It's the only excuse I have to get outside for four hours at a stretch," he told Hearst magazines.

Though he said he enjoyed his life in the White House, he felt disillusioned with the some of the ways of Washington, which he has failed in his pledge to change, such as the "kabuki dance" among political parties before serious policy discussions begin. His comments may be seen as vindication by critics who have accused him of appearing too detached, and being slow to engage in crucial issues such as Libya and the near shutdown of the US government last week.

Since arriving at the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has already racked up 60 rounds of golf in office, more than George W Bush did in his eight years.

In terms of ability, Golf Digest magazine has ranked Mr Obama eighth out of the 18 presidents who played the game since it became established in the early 20th century.

(Read by Renee Haines. Renee Haines is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)