The 10 Best Golf Movies of All Time
Golf movies come from a long range of different genres. They can be serious sports dramas, slapstick comedies, or even rom-coms! But what draws people to golf flicks most often is simply the love of the game.
In keeping with the sports theme we kick-offed last week with the 10 best soccer movies, we’ve put together a list of the best golf movies of all time for you to enjoy.
1. Tin Cup (1996)
First on our list is Tin Cup, the story of a former golf prodigy (Kevin Costner, Yellowstone) who runs a ramshackle driving range in good old West Texas and takes an interest in a clinical psychologist (Rene Russo, Nightcrawler) looking for driving lessons. This rom-com ends up becoming a sports drama real quick though, as Costner’s character, Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, works to qualify for the U.S. Open.
Tin Cup is one of the best. There’s drama, suspense, good writing, and talented performances from Costner, Ruso, and even (at the time) heavy hitters Don Johnson (Nash Bridges) and stand-up comedian Cheech Marin. There’s a little something for everyone in this Ron Shelton (White Men Can’t Jump) picture.
2. Caddyshack (1980)
Described by ESPN as “probably the funniest sports film ever made,” Caddyshack is an instant comedy classic that doubles as a “golf movie.” Starring comedy legends from across the board such as Chevy Chase (National Lampoon’s Vacation), stand-up comedian Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight (Too Close For Comfort), Michael O’Keefe (Rosanne), and Billy Murray (Groundhog Day). This wacky production is definitely worth the watch.
Caddyshack was also the directorial debut of Harold Ramis. And if you don’t know who that is, let us point you to Ghostbusters (which he starred in and co-wrote) and his director’s filmography: Groundhog Day, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Analyze This, Analyze That, Year One, and even a few episodes of The Office. Ramis certainly knows his comedy, and Caddyshack is no exception.
3. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
With a title like this, how could it not be featured on this list? Shia LaBeouf (Fury) stars in The Greatest Game Ever Played as Francis Ouimet, the first amateur to win the U.S. Open. This biographical feature is based on the Mark Frost (Twin Peaks) book of the same name, which chronicles Ouimet’s journey from caddie to U.S. Open champion.
The Greatest Game Ever Played is one of those “feel good sports dramas” that will make you want to go out and play the U.S. Open yourself (while also making you cry a little throughout). It’s an exciting picture with a well-deserved ending.
4. Happy Gilmore (1996)
An Adam Sandler (50 First Dates) classic, and part of the inspiration behind his Happy Madison Productions company (the other being Billy Madison), Happy Gilmore is another sports comedy in the same vein as many Adam Sandler films (but since this is one of his first, it’s not quite stale). Happy Gilmore stars Sandler as an unsuccessful hockey player turned golf pro who acts just like, get this, Adam Sandler.
Happy Gilmore is laugh-out-loud funny. Watching Gilmore navigate the pro circuit as he attempts to win enough prize money to buy his Grandma’s house back will have you in stitches, as will his confrontations with Shooter McGavin, a wonderfully evil Christopher McDonald who becomes Gilmore’s nemesis.
All-in-all, Happy Gilmore is one of those golf comedies you won’t want to miss, and even if you have seen it, you’ll enjoy re-watching it.
5. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Who would’ve thought Will Smith (Men in Black), Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity), and Charlize Theron (Young Adult) would star together in a Robert Redford (A River Runs Through It) film about golfing? Well, that’s exactly what The Legend of Bagger Vance is all about! Smith plays Vance, Damon’s caddie who helps his character come to terms with his own demons as he pursues a career in the sport.
The Legend of Bagger Vance is a charming Great Depression-era film that unfortunately did terribly at the box office, even though the film itself is exceptional. Between the 1930s Georgia setting to Smith and Damon’s delightful performances, there’s a lot to love here.
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6. Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
Jim Caviezel, known best for his roles in The Passion of the Christ and Person of Interest, stars in his very own golf film, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, in which he plays influential golfer Bobby Jones. The film chronicles Jones’ life from his childhood in early 1900s Georgia all the way until he became golf’s first Grand Slam champion at 28-years-old. The film also tells the love story of Bobby and Mary (Claire Forlani, Mallrats) as they make their way through thick and thin.
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius was actually the first film made concerning The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews that was given permission to shoot on location. If that isn’t enough for you, then move on to the next one…
7. Tommy’s Honour (2017)
Set in 1800s Scotland, this historical drama chronicles the complex relationships between a father and son, “Old Tom” Morris (Peter Mullan, Children of Men) and “Young Tommy” Morris (Jack Lowden, Dunkirk), as they work to achieve their own dreams, goals, and golfing careers. This drama is a little on the heavier side, including the duo clashing over rules about “social class,” which has fateful results.
Tommy’s Honour is one of those “true story” movies you watch and have a little cry, and that’s okay. The tumultuous relationship between father and son is a heartfelt and meaningful one, even if they see it too late.
8. Seven Days In Utopia (2011)
This G-rated sports drama is a little different than the last. Seven Days In Utopia features young pro golfer Luke Chrisholm (Lucas Black, The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift) after he finds himself stranded in Utopia, Texas, following a disastrous debut on the pro circuit. Chrisholm soon comes across an eccentric rancher (Robert Duvall, The Judge) who works to set him on the right path.
It’s a heartwarming redemption story that proves that hard work and true love conquers all. Seven Days In Utopia is a film that forces you to slow down and reevaluate your next move before jumping into something new, and sometimes we need a lot more of that in our day-to-day lives than we realize.
9. The Caddy (1953)
If you thought a golf musical was off of the cards, think again. The Caddy is a Dean Martin (Rio Bravo) and Jerry Lewis (The Nutty Professor) comedy-musical with a lot of heart and is noteworthy for introducing the world to the hit song, That’s Amore, that so many of us associate with a love for pizza pies. The film is about a pro golfer and his caddie who decided that maybe pro golfing isn’t the way to go.
The Caddy is unlike other golf films, not just because of its musical genre, but because our lead characters decide that rather than pursuing a sports career, they’d prefer to be entertainers instead! With a team like Martin & Lewis though, that should’ve been expected.
10. From the Rough (2013)
Last but certainly not least, From the Rough is a sports drama based on the life of Catana Starks, the former Tennessee State Tigers swim coach who became the first woman to ever coach a college men’s golf team. Taraji P. Henson (Empire) stars as Coach Starks, who is abrasive and direct, yet does the job masterfully. This college drama is about everything you expect, yet still makes a solid impact.
From the Rough is one of those true stories that really make you excited to get out there and change the world, making it one of the best “confidence boosters” on the list!
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