Swing into Entertainment: Unforgettable Golf Movies to Watch

You can’t (or shouldn’t) play golf, let alone watch live golf on TV.

Sure, you could watch old matches. Or… you could stay home, stay safe and watch some of the most popular golf movies ever made.

Here is a list of the top ten movies we’ve compiled, with an extra one thrown in. You might have them in a different order. Maybe even a few different ones. 

• Caddy Shack (1980) — This all-time favorite grossed $40 million at the box office. Hey, who doesn’t like a dancing gopher? Caddyshack was directed by Harold Ramis and starred Michael O’Keefe, Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Bill Murray.
• The most excellent game ever played  (2005) — This biographical sports film is based on the early life of golf champion Francis Ouimet, often called the “father” of modern golf. He won the U.S. Open in 1913 and was the first non-Briton elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Wikipedia.

• Happy Gilmore (1996)– Happy Gilmore is a 1996 sports comedy film starring fan-favorite Adam Sandler. He plays an unsuccessful ice hockey player who discovers a talent for golf.
  
  
• Tin Cup (1996) — Tin Cup is a 1996 romantic comedy starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo. Costner plays a washed-up pro working at a driving range who tries to qualify for the U.S. Open to win the love of his rival’s girlfriend. (Maybe if he knew his clubs’ loft and lie better, he wouldn’t have kept hitting the water hazard on the 18th hole!)
• The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) —The Legend of Bagger Vance is a 2000 American sports comedy-drama film directed by Robert Redford, starring Will Smith, Matt Damon, and Charlize Theron. In the U.S. state of Georgia in 1931, a socialite announces a high-stakes match at her family’s struggling golf course. It’s where a down-and-out golfer (Matt Damon) attempts to recover his game and life with a mystical caddy’s help. Some critics are offended by how they feel the film glosses over issues of racism.
• Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004) — This biographical drama film is based on the life of  (take a guess…) Bobby Jones! Jones is the only player to win all four men’s major golf championships in a single season. The film was the first motion picture concerning the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews that was permitted to film on location.

• A Gentleman’s Game (2001) — This film is a drama revolving around characters whose lives are transformed one summer at an exclusive East Coast country club. It’s there that Jim Price, an average guy who works hard and plays by the rules, quickly gains prestige at the country club through his son’s accomplishments. Stars Gary Sinese, Mason Gamble.
  
  
• Dead Solid Perfect  (1988) — Dead Solid Perfect follows the life of a professional golfer on the PGA Tour. It was produced by HBO Films and based on the novel of the same name by Dan Jenkins.
• Follow the Sun: The Ben Hogan Story (1951) — Telling the story of the legendary Ben Hogan, it covers his early days working as a caddy to maintain his family life and stay close to the game he loves. He reaches the top of pro golfing, gets in a terrible car accident, recovers, and resumes his career thanks to the love and support of family and fans. It stars Glenn Ford as Hogan and Anne Baxter as his wife. Many golfers and sports figures of the day appear in the movie.
• The Caddy (1953) — The Caddy centers around Harvey Miller (Jerry Lewis), whose father was a famous golf pro. Lisa’s brother Joe (Dean Martin) becomes Harvey’s first client and becomes good enough to play in tournaments, with Harvey tagging along as his caddie.

• Pat and Mike(1952) — This blast from the past features Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and is still a classic comedy.  His goal is for them to marry and forget about everything. However, Pat is determined to succeed. Her new manager works to keep them apart, as he has feelings for her.

In between movies, and you have a question for Patrick? Give him a call!
Patrick Gallagher, PGA
Director of Golf Operations, Mitchell Golf
P: 800-437-1314   M: 989-858-6221