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At one time, making a movie about golf might’ve seemed like a risky endeavor. The slow, methodical pace of a golf match doesn’t really seem to lend itself to the cinematic format. Over the years, though, we’ve seen some enormously successful golf films that have done more than just entertain us — they’ve inspired whole generations of golfers.
From hilarious favorites like Happy Gilmore to gripping stories like The Greatest Game Ever Played, there are a lot of familiar favorites in the golfing film world.
Here is our list of the best golf movies of all time.
5. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
IMDB: 6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
Led by two juggernaut actors — Matt Damon and Will Smith — The Legend of Bagger Vance was one of the first films that really dug deep into the game of golf. Based on the bestselling novel, the film traces the story of war veteran Captain Rannulph Junuh (Damon), who is taught the game of golf by his caddie Bagger Vance (Smith). Throughout the film, Vance teaches Junuh not only how to play the game but also the meaning of it.
The Legend of Bagger Vance is one of those rare movies that show us what a sport can teach us about life.
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4. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
IMDB: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
It’s very challenging to make a serious, compelling golf movie that has a solid central storyline throughout. People love to make fun of golf — it wasn’t until Tiger Woods that the game adopted a more attractive reputation. Whenever someone takes a shot at making a serious golf movie, it has the potential to be a major flop.
The Greatest Ever Played is probably the most recent major golf film success with a compelling storyline at its center. Starring a young Shia LeBoeuf as Francis Ouimet, the movie guides us through one of the greatest golf matches ever.
Ouimet is a caddie at his local course whose dream is to one day become a pro — against the wishes of his father. When he gets a shot to play in the U.S. Open, he puts everything on the line to try to prove to himself and his family that he has what it takes to compete. It’s a beautifully crafted film that takes all the greatest aspects of golf and sews them together into an exciting, emotional film.
Stephen Dillane is excellent as the pipe-smoking, confident Henry Vardon. And of course, the movie wouldn’t be the same without the clever quips from Ouimet’s caddie Eddie Lowery (Josh Flitter.)
The Greatest Game Ever Played earns its place on this list for its portrayal of the nerve-wrenching and emotional aspects of the beautiful game.
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3. Tin Cup (1996)
IMDB: 6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
At its core, Tin Cup is an underdog story — the tale of lowly golf range owner Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) who tries his luck in golf to win the affection of Molly Griswold (Rene Russo.) The movie is led by a great performance by Costner, who uses his laid-back attitude to guide the film along and add a sense of fun to the game of golf.
It’s a fun late-nineties film that is probably a romantic comedy first and a golf movie second, but it still stands as a classic movie that you can watch over and over again.
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2. Happy Gilmore (1996)
IMDB: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 61% Critic Score
Happy Gilmore, like a lot of other Adam Sandler movies, is a movie that easily could have flopped. But for some reason, maybe because of the performance that only Sandler can give and the interesting characters that surround him — it works, at a brilliant level.
Happy Gilmore (Sandler) is an ex-hockey player who discovers he can hit the golf ball a country mile with his signature slap shot. Guided by ex golf pro Carl Weathers (Chubbs Peterson), Happy enters into tournaments and finally ends up facing one of the tour pros Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) to save his grandmother’s home.
It’s a movie filled with ridiculous scenes and premises that get funnier each time you watch the movie. It’s one of the most quotable movies of all time. We get the iconic “it’s all in the hips, Happy,” and “somebody’s closer,” and don’t forget — “go home, ball, don’t you want to go home??”
There’s hardly ever a dull scene in the movie. From Happy romantically singing “Kiss You All Over” into the call box to a bleep-filled tirade on the pro telecast, there is so much to laugh at. Watch Ben Stiller run a nightmarish old-folks home. Oh, and there’s a fight scene between Gilmore and Bob Barker.
It’s a wild, wacky movie that stands as one of the best comedies ever. Today, golf range managers are still putting signs up begging people not to do the “Happy Gilmore.” Now that’s some serious cultural impact.
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1. Caddyshack (1980)
IMDB: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% Critic Score
Caddyshack is more than just a great golf movie. Like Happy Gilmore, it’s a great movie in general and tops the lists of many movie buffs’ favorites. Nearly every scene has a quotable line — usually more than one. It’s a movie filled with stars — Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield — who are at the peak of their comedic games.
This movie gave us so many gems, like the outrageous and hilarious monologues from groundskeeper Carl Spackler (Murray), the putting perfection from Ty Webb (Chase) and the amazing deliveries from Judge Elihu Smails (Ted Knight) — “Well, we’re waiting!!”
It’s a comedy classic that is even better because it involves the game of golf. Amongst all the hilarious performances, there is actually a legitimate story at its core. Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe) is a caddy at the local golf club trying to get enough money to get into college. Caddyshack, while also being one the funniest movies of all time, paints an accurate and hilarious picture of the life of a private course and the wide range of personalities that frequent them.
If you haven’t seen Caddyshack, you should. Next time someone starts talking about some “cinderella boy, tears in his eyes I guess” — you’ll know exactly what they’re quoting. Nearly forty years later, Caddyshack remains at the top of the list.
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