Michael Bolton -- I Love Golfing with Bill Clinton

Michael Bolton is OBSESSED with golf -- and he's played with some of the most famous people on the planet -- but the singer tells TMZ Sports his favorite celeb to play with is Bill Clinton!!

Bolton's been a regular on the celeb golf circuit for years ... teeing off next to guys like Kevin Costner, Bill Murray Darius Rucker and more -- but MB insists the #1 guy is #42.

Michael usually plays with Bill at Clinton's annual Humana Challenge golf tournament near Palm Springs ... and reportedly has a 9 handicap.

As for Clinton, he's got a 10 handicap.