Golf has been relatively blessed with some quality films through the years. As a sport, golf lends itself to telling stories that are romantic and uplifting but often also beautifully nonsensical and ridiculous in equal measure.
Some huge names from the acting world have starred in golf films,
and while their swings might not have been overly authentic, their performances
undoubtedly made up for that.
In this blog, we look at 8 of the best golf films you simply have to watch.
Caddyshack (1980)
Starring: Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray,
and Chevy Chase
An all-star cast gathers at Bushwood Country Club in this chaotic
film that was not initially a success but has since become a cult classic.
Directed by Harold Ramis, who would go on to appear in
Ghostbusters and direct Groundhog Day, the plot centres around a caddy, Danny
Noonan, who is trying to earn a scholarship. Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield),
Judge Smails (Ted Knight), Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) and Ty Webb (Chevy
Chase) all play starring roles as the country club slowly implodes.
The film’s brilliant collection of one-liners means it’s
often quoted out on courses. It’s ludicrous but in a good way—one to watch for
all golf and comedy fans, for sure.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 72
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Carl Weathers and Julie Bowen
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a hot-headed, unsuccessful hockey player who boasts a powerful slapshot and an uncanny ability to hit a golf ball incredible distances. So, with the threat of his grandmother’s house being closed down, he enters the world of professional golf.
His unconventional behaviour upsets the golfing community when
he comes up against pro golfer Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald). The film
was a resounding commercial success, earning over $40m, and remains well-loved
nearly 30 years after its release. It also won an MTV Movie Award for Best
Fight for its scene featuring Sandler and Bob Barker.
The highly-anticipated sequel is due in 2025.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 62
Seve The Movie (2014)
Starring: José Luis Gutiérrez
Seve Ballesteros remains arguably the most important golfer
Europe has ever had, and this biographical drama-documentary chronicles his
extraordinary life and celebrates his legacy.
The film reflects on his childhood as a young Seve, played
by José Luis Gutiérrez, discovers the game using a broken club and homemade
balls before quickly becoming a Major champion.
There is also previously unseen footage as the Spaniard’s
peers pay tribute to the great man, documenting his trademark fighting spirit
and creativity. You only need to watch the Ryder Cup every two years to understand
and appreciate Seve’s importance to the European golfing fraternity.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 73
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf
If ever a golfing story deserved telling, it was this one.
This golf film is based on the incredible book by Mark Frost. It tells the uplifting and sensational tale of Francis Ouimet’s victory in the 1913 US Open.
It’s a story of overcoming all the odds—from an ordinary
background with a discouraging father and the greatest player in the game at
the time, Harry Vardon, as his main opposition—to win his national Open while
still an amateur.
To add further layers to this almost unbelievable story, Ouimet
lived opposite Brookline Country Club and had a 10-year-old caddy, Eddie
Lowery, on his bag. In the end, it went to an 18-hole play-off against Vardon
and the mighty Ted Ray and Ouimet would sink them both.
While dramatised, of course, the film still stays true to
the baseline story.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 62
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Starring: Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Charlize Theron
Based on the novel by Steven Pressfield, this is another
golf film that ticks the uplifting box.
Matt Damon plays Rannulph Junuh, a once-promising golfer and
WW1 veteran who returns home disillusioned and struggling with PTSD. Will Smith
plays Bagger Vance, a mysterious but wise caddy who offers to help Junuh
reclaim his lost confidence.
The tournament has him pitted against legendary golfers
Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, and with Vance’s mentorship, Junuh rediscovers
his swing. Despite a lukewarm reception, the film has found a place at the top
table of golf films thanks to the theme of redemption and what would transpire
to be a stellar cast.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 43
The Phantom of the Open (2021)
Starring: Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, and Simon Farnaby
If you love golf and you haven’t read Simon Farnaby and Scott Murray’s book on this subject, then you really should. And thankfully, you should also watch this film as it does the book justice.
Maurice Flitcroft’s story is arguably as unbelievable as Francis Ouimet’s. Flitcroft, a crane operator from Barrow-in-Furness, sprung to notoriety in 1976 when he entered Open qualifying and promptly shot a 49-over 121. There would be other attempts, under pseudonyms such as Gene Paycheki, and there would be disguises such as a false moustache.
Bizarrely, Flitcroft, who never got anywhere near actually
playing in the Open, is as much a part of its folklore as some of its winners.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86
Tin Cup (1996)
Starring: Kevin Costner, Don Johnson, Rene Russo and Cheech Marin
Roy ‘Tin Cup’ McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a former prodigy who
ended up at a dilapidated driving range where he would spend his time hitting
balls, drinking, and hanging out with his mates.
To impress Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo), a psychologist
and other half of Tour pro David Simms (Don Johnson), he decides to qualify for
the US Open. After a series of mishaps and misadventures, he makes a charge at
Simms, where he faces the chance to take on the green or lay up.
Needless to say, he does the former. This is another of
those classic feel-good golf films that’s hugely enhanced by the cameo roles of
several PGA Tour stars, including Phil Mickelson and Gary McCord.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74
Tommy’s Honour (2016)
Starring: Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden
Based on Kevin Cook’s outstanding book and directed by Jason
Connery, this is the story of Old Tom Morris, Young Tom Morris, and one of the
most heartbreaking relationships in the sport.
Set in St Andrews, it follows Young Tom’s ambition to make his own way in the game against a backdrop of Old Tom’s humble approach. The father and son both won four Opens apiece, and Young Tom was victorious four years on the trot before tragedy struck and his life was cut short at just 24.
The film is a must-watch for any golf fan and is beautifully
shot in one of the sport’s most special locations.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68
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