Golf is far from popular with the masses, which makes it a tough sell in Hollywood—or anywhere movies are pitched and made. And yet a decent number of golf stories have come to the big screen, especially in recent years.
Everyone has their favorites. Any list is subjective. What I can say is that a handful of golf movies (five in particular) consistently topped lists on various golf- and movie-related sites.
Please note that I have not seen all these movies. But after researching and writing about them, I do plan to watch at least a few I haven’t seen.
So, without further ado, here they are…
Caddyshack (1980)
An exclusive country club has to deal with a brash new member and a gopher intent on destroying their beloved golf course. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Rating: R
Starring: Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Michael O’Keefe, Sarah Holcomb, Ted Knight
87% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. –Carl Spackler
Tin Cup (1996)
A washed-up golf pro working at a driving range tries to qualify for the U.S. Open in order to win the heart of his successful rival’s girlfriend. (IMDb)
Rating: R
Starring: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin
65% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: If I had it to do all over again, I’d still hit that shot. –Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy
Happy Gilmore (1996)
A rejected hockey player uses his skills on the golf course to save his grandmother’s house. (IMDb)
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen
85% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Green jacket, gold jacket, who gives a crap? –Happy Gilmore
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
A down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddie. (IMDb)
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron
65% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Just bash the livin’ sh*t out of it. –Bagger Vance
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
Amateur Francis Ouimet, age 20, faces British golf legend Harry Vardon in the 1913 U.S. Open.
Rating: PG-13
Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Josh Flitter, Elias Koteas, Peyton List
82% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Easy peasy lemon squeezy. –Eddie Lowery
BEST OF THE REST
Tommy’s Honour (2017)
The father-son drama of original golf legends “Old” Tom Morris and “Young” Tommy Morris at St. Andrews, Scotland.
Rating: PG
Starring: Jack Lowden, Peter Mullan, Sam Neill
71% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: I taught him everything he knows. –Old Tom Morris
The Caddy (1953)
Although gifted golfer Harvey Miller is too nervous to golf in public tournaments, he acts as coach and caddy for friend Joe Anthony. (IMDb)
Rating: NR
Starring: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Donna Reed
78% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Trivia: The golf scenes were shot at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
After a disastrous debut on the pro circuit, a young golfer finds himself unexpectedly stranded in Utopia, Texas, and welcomed by an eccentric rancher. (IMDb)
Rating: G
Starring: Lucas Black, Robert Duvall, Melissa Leo
68% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: See it, feel it, trust it. –Johnny Crawford
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
The story of golf legend and lifelong amateur Bobby Jones who won 13 major championships and retired at the age of 28.
Rating: PG
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Claire Forlani, Jeremy Northam, Malcolm McDowell, Aidan Quinn
62% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Money! It’s going to ruin sports! –O.B. Keeler
Dead Solid Perfect (1988)
The story of Kenny Lee, a talented but underachieving pro golfer trying to break through on the tour while learning that the most important things in life go far beyond the game. (IMDb)
Rating: NR
Starring: Randy Quaid, Kathryn Harrold, Jack Warden
88% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Quote: Dead solid perfect. –Kenny Lee
Pat and Mike (1952)
Pat is a sports and golf sensation unless her fiancé is around. Her new shady manager Mike keeps them apart and develops feelings for her. (IMDb)
Rating: NR
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Aldo Ray
68% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Trivia: “Pat and Mike” was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Writing, Story and Screenplay category.
Follow the Sun (1951)
The inspiring film biography of the courageous champion golfer Ben Hogan. (IMDb)
Rating: NR
Starring: Glenn Ford, Anne Baxter, Dennis O’Keefe
Trivia: Ben Hogan coached Glenn Ford for the role but was disappointed by the movie star’s golf performance.
MORE GOLF MOVIES
The Short Game (2013)
This documentary follows some of the world’s best 7-year-old golfers as they train and compete in the junior world championship at Pinehurst.
86% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Seve the Movie (2016)
The story of Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros.
70% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
From the Rough (2014)
Dr. Catana Starks made history as the first woman and the first African American woman to coach a men’s college golf team.
71% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
A Gentleman’s Game (2002)
A drama revolving around characters whose lives are transformed one summer at an exclusive East Coast country club. (IMDb)
57% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
The Boys of Sunset Ridge (2001)
Four young friends sneak onto an exclusive country club to play 18 holes and begin a tradition that will strengthen their bonds and weather the test of time. (Rotten Tomatoes)
50% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Golf in the Kingdom (2011)
American philosophy student Michael is traveling to India in 1956 when he decides to stop at Links of Burningbush in Scotland for one last round of golf before giving up the game. (IMDb)
37% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
The Squeeze (2015)
A caper about a notorious gambler who discovers a modest young man in a small rural town with uncommon golf skills. (Rotten Tomatoes)
44% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Caddyshack II (1998)
This sequel was a shank.
17% liked it (Rotten Tomatoes)
Neil Sagebiel
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