How Obama can only stand Bill Clinton 'in doses', has cut short golf with the ex-president and once invited buffers to a private dinner -- By The Daily Mail Reporter, TheDailyMail.co.uk

Frenemies: President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton attended numerous events together, including the Clinton Global Initiative 2012 (pictured), but it has been revealed Obama could only stand his predecessor in 'small doses' 

Barack Obama can only handle Bill Clinton 'in doses', once cutting short a golf match organized to bring them closer and inviting aides to a private dinner as conversational buffers, it has been revealed. 

The strained relationship between the U.S president and his predecessor is no secret inside Washington.

However, journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann's explosive new book, Double Down: Game Change 2012, provides revealing glimpses into the politicians' personality clashes.

The authors claim Obama initially did his best to avoid his 'often exhausting' predecessor, despite appointing Clinton's capable wife, Hillary Clinton, as secretary of state in 2009.

But after his party lost the mid-term elections in 2010, Obama had no choice but to call on the still-popular Clinton for help. 

The move led to some awkward attempts at bonding, according to the book obtained by The New York Times.

When the incumbent and the former president golfed together in September 2011 - an effort aides hoped would bring them closer - they didn't even finish 18 holes. 

Obama allegedly didn't think Clinton took the game seriously enough. 

While Obama was apparently keen to play the game, Clinton kept chatting and joking and taking numerous second shots, or mulligans in golf terminology.

After coming off the course at Andrews Air Force Base, Obama allegedly told an aide who asked him about the ex-president: ‘I like him...in doses.'

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