The Best Golf Movies You Need to Watch

Certain things in life just seem incompatible, with the tenuous marriage between golf and cinema being chief among them.

Somehow, like most sports, frankly, the ancient game has never translated strongly onto the big screen, but that hasn't stopped filmmakers and stars from trying to make it happen.

The release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix - a sequel that many out there had been waiting almost 30 years for - has shone the spotlight on the relationship between film and golf, leading us to ask whether there really is a great golf movie out there?

It probably depends on your definition of what makes a classic, but there are certainly some that are better than others. And whatever your perspective on this latest feature, it's appealed to a large audience, with Netflix reporting that it had received 46.7 million views in its first three days on the platform in the United States. Impressive. Whether they made it all the way through its 118 minute running time is another question entirely.

Despite being a fan of both golf and film, I have to confess that I'm not drawn in by golf movies, and can more readily think of scenes related to the game that are part of other productions, such as the unforgettable match between James Bond and his nemesis Auric Goldfinger, or indeed the minute-long shot of Bill Murray hitting a tee shot in the shadow of Mount Fuji in Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation.

If you're a keen follower of HBO, then you'll probably recognise the golf-related scenes that made an appearance on The Sopranos, while Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm even made the game and life at exclusive country clubs part of key plots throughout its quarter of a century run.

However, ignoring those, let's take a look at just some of the movies that had golf at the heart of them.

Tin Cup (1996)

Kevin Costner's Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy is a downtrodden golf pro who seeks to impress Rene Russo's Dr Molly Griswold by qualifying for the US Open. He ultimately defies the odds to qualify and even leads the championship with a chance to win, before, well, I won't spoil the ending for those who have yet to see it, but you can probably guess how this bittersweet tale concludes.

The golfing personalities who have cameo appearances include Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and Johnny Miller, with Jim Nantz, Ken Venturi and Gary McCord appearing as broadcasters.

Caddyshack (1980)

Directed by Harold Ramis and starring the likes of Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray, this is a comedy that has long enjoyed a cult following, and not just from within golfing circles. It effectively parodies life at a golf club with several rather colourful characters dominating proceedings. 

Some may find it crude and somewhat dated, but Caddyshack has undeniably endured.

Happy Gilmore (1996)

During the same year that Tin Cup was released, we were also introduced to the quirky world of Happy Gilmore, an aspiring hockey player who discovers that he can hit a golf ball a remarkably long way and uses those newfound skills to become a success on the PGA Tour to earn money that will save his grandmother's house.

Starring Adam Sandler, the title character battles Christopher McDonald's arrogant Shooter McGavin on the course, with golf legend Lee Trevino also making an appearance as himself. 

While it wouldn't be for everyone, Happy Gilmore had an enduring impact, as evidenced by the recent sequel.

The Phantom of The Open (2021)

A more recent entry, and certainly among the most critically acclaimed, this movie, written by Simon Farnaby and directed by Craig Roberts, tells the story of Maurice Flitcroft, a novice golfer who famously attempted to qualify for the 1976 Open Championship, becoming a celebrity in the process. His eccentric antics continued from there and he often entered events in disguise and under false names.

Mark Rylance, one of Britain's most respected actors, stars as Flitcroft alongside the likes of Sally Hawkins and Rhys Ifans.

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

Francis Ouimet's unlikely victory in the 1913 US Open is one of the most memorable moments from golf history, so it was no surprise that it got the movie treatment. Written by Mark Frost, who also wrote the book on which the film is based, and directed by Bill Paxton, Shia LaBeouf stars as Ouimet, the 20-year-old amateur who defeated golf legends Harry Vardon and Ted Ray to win his national title.

Tommy's Honour (2016)

Directed by Jason Connery, son of Sean, Tommy's Honour tells the story of Young Tom Morris, showcasing his prodigious success on the course, a complex relationship with his father Old Tom, and the tragic final months of his life.

Jack Lowden and Peter Mullan are compelling in the starring roles, with Ophelia Lovibond as Tommy's wife Meg and Sam Neill portraying the captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. 

While the golfing scenes are perhaps lacking, the human drama here is enough to make this worth watching.

The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Starring Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and Jack Lemmon, with Robert Redford in the directing chair, star power is unsurpassed here, but the qualities of the film itself are questionable to say the least.

Smith is the mysterious Bagger Vance who becomes a caddie and guide for Rannulph Junuh (Damon) in his quest for golfing success, including encounters with a fictionalised Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen.

Follow The Sun (1951)

This is a 1951 biopic of Ben Hogan, following his journey from young caddie in Texas to professional golfer, his triumphs, the life-threatening accident he suffered in 1949, and his remarkable comeback to win the US Open in 1950.

Glenn Ford portrays Hogan with Anne Baxter as his wife, Valerie, with the likes of Sam Snead, Jimmy Demaret and Cary Middlecoff appearing as themselves. 

Despite the timing of the film, Hogan would go on to even greater heights in 1953 when he won the Masters, US Open and Open Championship.

The Caddy (1953)

One of many collaborations between Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, who star as a golfer and caddie pair who ultimately go into show business. This is a musical comedy that is renowned for Martin debuting his hit song That's Amore.

Major champions Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, and Julius Boros all make cameo appearances as themselves.

The Long Game (2023)

Another more recent film, The Long Game is based on the story of a team of young Mexican-Americans who overcame segregation and prejudice to be crowned the Texas state high school golf champions of 1957.

Those are just some of the most notable golf movies that you should consider watching. If we have missed any of your favourites, please let us know!