Seth Lamey
Sports films typically follow a familiar formula. Underdogs overcoming great odds. The have-nots defeating the haves. A mix of hard work, determination, and skill culminating in great victory. Golf films are no different, usually leaning in to all these tropes. Sometimes their protagonists are “loveable losers” who, with the help of supportive partners or wise coaches, win in the end or make evolutionary change for their circumstance. Often times, they have to overcome class, race, gender, or skill divides. Their narratives lend themselves to both comedy and drama, with some leaning heavy into one genre than the other. Those that leave the greatest impact do so first and foremost by being good films, but they also need to incorporate pillars of the game of golf to be relatable to the viewers. Here are ten golf films that represent the genre well, listed in chronological order of release date:
Pat and Mike (George Cukor, 1952)
Staring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Pat and Mike is about budding sports star Pat Pemberton (Hepburn), who can’t live up to her best play when her charming but overzealous fiancé Collier watches her play. Pat enlists the help of sports promoter Mike Donavan (Tracy), who aims to keep her focuses and playing her best in golf, tennis, and with a whirlwind of other obstacles they face (including falling for each other). Director George Cukor and writers Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin sprinkle in just enough sports in the comedy that relies on the Hepburn/Tracy duo to plant the seeds for sports movies growth to come.
The one drawback of Pat and Mike as an iconic golf film is that golf only occurs in the first act and the very last scene, but what focus and footage it does have, it capitalizes. Hepburn herself was an active sportswoman, and she does a fine job making Pat appear to be a top golfer among her talented peers. She exhibits good ball striking and nice touch around and on the greens. The film had the fortune of shooting its golf scenes at Riviera Country Club, a staple of Los Angeles golf that still hosts PGA events to this day. Real golfers of the time make appearances in the film, and we see Pat have a golf match vs. famed lady golfer Babe Didrikson Zaharias. The golf and tennis scenes hold up very well for a sports movie competing against mostly modern contemporaries on this list.
Pat and Mike is a fun movie that was well-received in its time and remembered for being a sports comedy in the Hepburn/Tracy lexicon. Their open secret relationship off-screen makes their chemistry on scene fun and dynamic. “Performance anxiety” as seen when Pat loses her playing confidence when fiancé Collier is watching is a real issue that athletes have always faced and still do to this day. The film shows that effect well, as it does when Pat is playing free and within her own skills. Pat and Mike laid the groundwork for more golf films to follow.
Caddyshack (Harold Ramis, 1980)
Caddyshack burst onto the scene as Chevy Chase and Bill Murray were red-hot comedic actors on Saturday Night Live, and the film would push them into comedic stardom for the 1980s. Set at the fictional “Bushwoods Country Club,” the film would highlight the hilarious contrast between stuffy country club socialites and working-class slackers and troublemakers into a soup of comedic and sports movie gold. The main protagonist is underdog Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe), in a coming-of-age stage story as he transitions from life as a caddy to one as a player or adult in the workforce. He is mentored by mysterious local golf savant Ty Webb (Chevy Chase), who, with the combo of insult-laden rich guy Al Cervik, aim to take on club owner Judge Smails (Ted Knight) in a literal showdown of serious men vs. comedic jokers. Bill Murray as simpleton greenskeeper Carl Spackler also provides comedic relief, highlighted by my favorite his “cinderella story” daydream.
Caddyshack follows the usual golf movie formula of underdog to hero/champion with Danny eventually proving his worth not only among fellow caddy golfers, but the best at the club. The film is a bit loose with golf etiquette among players (fellow players talking in back swings) or dancing to Journey on a golf course! The golf itself is shown in an appropriate light for late 1970s form. Dangerfield’s character shows off some absurdist comedic flare as a rich golfer: a Budweiser bag, built-in TV, beer tap, and even a putter designed by Albert Einstein. Chevy Chase gets to flex his sarcastic comedic muscles throughout the film, but as a mentor to caddy Danny Noonan he does offer some sage advice for him about confidence in the game to “be the ball.”
The film is one of the most recognized and beloved golf movies of all-time, mostly because of the clever slapstick comedy in the script and variety of comedic actors at the top of their powers. The script and conceit of the film critiquing the elitist nature of golf country club culture is as relevant now as it was in 1980 and as it was since the creation of the sport in Scotland. Caddyshack may not have the most cinematic shot golf scenes or appropriate themes as other films on this list, but there is no denying its place as one of the funniest sports films of all time and a golf film comedic classic that provides endless quotes on the golf course for the past 45 years.
Happy Gilmore (Dennis Dugan, 1996)
Happy Gilmore would follow the Caddyshack formula of riding the stardom of Adam Sandler during his SNL rise, crafting another working-class hero: Happy Gilmore taking on the elite of the PGA Tour. The film follows Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, a hot-head failed hockey player who uses his newfound skill (driving a golf ball 400 yards) to try to win enough money so his grandma can keep her home. In his way is tour kingpin Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who taunts and resents Gilmore’s long drive ability and his “disgraceful” fandom he brings to the game. Along with the sage advice of former tour player Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers), Happy must overcome his own angry behavior and other obstacles to win the Tour Championship and defeat Shooter.
Happy Gilmore does a fine job of balancing Sandler’s 1990s brand humor with a golf underdog story showcasing a working class hero “outsider” succeeding on the PGA Tour with unique skills and mental makeup. Some of the funniest decisions in the film are when Happy makes fun of himself or golf norms in general (“If I dressed liked that I’d have to kick my own ass.”). He shows up to his first tournament wearing a Boston Bruins jersey and Timberland work boots, shoves his own caddy and curses at him, and throughout the film curses and fights other golfers or fans (including Bob Barker!). Gilmore’s long drive is accompanied by the sound of a jet taking off, or slow motion emphasizing his power. The absurdist style of Sandler works because although Gilmore is a fool, he has a good heart and becomes the lovable underdog in contrast to the rich, snarky modern representation of the PGA Tour Shooter McGavin. Real PGA Tour announcer Verne Lundquist adds real-life weight to the action, as does a cameo by PGA golfer Lee Trevino shaking his head at Happy’s antics.
Happy Gilmore ultimately served as a comedic vehicle for Adam Sandler’s movie career, but like Caddyshack before it the film leaves a lasting legacy as golf comedy done in a satisfying light. Director Dennis Dugan ties a good soundtrack to the film, with several montages highlighting Gilmore’s run at the Tour Championship as his game starts to click. The tongue-in-cheek aspect of the film is captured in moments like Happy putting with a putter in the shape of a hockey stick. Sandler embodies the underdog sports cliche to perfection, being himself the whole time while assimilating into the PGA Tour un-compromised and in a fashion that may have “evolved” the professional game. Golf has tried to cultivate colorful characters in its game since the films release, with big hitters not afraid to speak their minds like John Daly and Bryson DeChambeau following the Gilmore mold. A sequel is due to release this summer on Netflix, bringing back Sandler and McDonald with cameos and many top stars in the game right now.
Tin Cup (Ron Shelton, 1996)
Released in the same year as Happy Gilmore, Tin Cup shares some commonalities. Kevin Costner played Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, a washed-up golf pro who flamed out after college and settled for being a club pro at a driving range. When old rival David Simms (Don Johnson) re-ignites his competitive spark which includes a love triangle over his sports psychologist love interest Dr. Molly Griswold. Roy is set on a course to qualify for the U.S. Open and have the tournament of his life. Tin Cup reunites Costner with director Ron Shelton from their sports movie gem Bull Durham, with both films sharing similar themes and story structure. The film also stars Cheech Marin as Romeo, Roy’s faithful caddy. The main performances, as well as the grounded filmmaking tied to golf in the mid 1990s, make it a satisfying entrant into the golf genre of film.
Tin Cup is of course an underdog story, with the zero-to-hero formula firmly in place. The refreshing twist at the end is although Roy has a memorable run at the U.S. Open, he doesn’t win the tournament in the end. Instead, Shelton and Costner aim for a stubborn “hero shot” situation on the final hole. Roy chooses to not play it safe and “lay up” before a water hazard, instead going for the green and the glory that comes with it. After numerous failed attempts, he finally does it and sinks the near impossible shot, losing the U.S. Open but solidifying his legend with the golf fans and his love interest Molly. Costner is a natural fit for the baseball movies he played in this era but also as a semi-decent club professional. His natural charisma and chemistry with Johnson, Russo, and Marin make an arrogant protagonist endearing to the audience despite his faults. Real world golf announcer Jim Nantz makes and appearance, as do PGA golfers Phil Mickelson, Billy Mayfair, and Lee Janzen. The golf scenes are shot realistic and grounded, with a tournament setup and crowd giving the audience verisimilitude that Roy McAvoy is truly on a Cinderella story run.
Tin Cup holds a strong legacy in the golf movie pantheon. Roy McAvoy going for the green on the 18th hole at the U.S. Open and losing ball after ball until finally draining the shot is one of the most memorable scenes in any golf movie. Shelton and Costner litter the film with plenty of wise one liners about golf and the golf swing. One good one to be specific, McAvoy says “I hit it again because that shot was a defining moment, and when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment… or the moment defines you.” His scenes teaching Molly about the golf swing are knowledge spread not just to her, but the audiences themselves. McAvoy qualifying for the Open with just a seven- iron in his bag show off his stubborn ego but also his sharp skills on the golf course. By the end of the film he still posses arrogance and ego, but also humility. It’s his bravery to make a mark on the golf world that defeats his equally arrogant but cowardly foe David Simms at the U.S. Open, winning him the heart of Molly and the golf world.
The Legend of Bagger Vance (Robert Redford, 2000)
The Legend of Bagger Vance brings a mixed-bag legacy to the golf-movie subgenre. Directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Charlize Theron, The Legend of Bagger Vance should almost automatically be considered one of the genre’s best. But the sum of its parts doesn’t quite add up to greatness: despite flashes of brilliance, its faults are hard to ignore. The film mixes elements of real golfers Bobby Jones (Joel Gretsch) and Walter Hagen (Bruce McGill) set in 1931 Savannah, Georgia. It features a prestigious golf match between the two to stimulate the local economy and new course during the Great Depression. The inclusion of local favorite son Rannulph Junuh to represent the local area is a key wrinkle, as he has a complicated relationship to the game he used to love after he experienced tragedies of war in World War I. The emergence of a mysterious caddie Bagger Vance helps instill wisdom to Junuh’s golf game in time to take on two of the best golfers in the world. Right in line with formula, this is another underdog story for the ages.
The film is told from the perspective Hardy Greaves, narrated by older version Jack Lemmon and through the eyes in flashbacks of young J. Michael Moncrief. This conceit allows director Redford to lean into the “legend” moniker in his title, with caddie Bagger Vance emerging from the dark of night like a golf savant apparition to help Junuh find his lost swing. This is the films biggest strength and biggest weakness. Some of the golf philosophy wisdom Bagger Vance shares with Junuh is the best one-on-one golf scenes I’ve seen in a golf movie. Him explaining “The Field” to Junuh on the course, telling to focus his mind and be one with all the element of the ball and golf course to find the “authentic swing” is great film making and golf advice. All components of Redford’s production are in sync in this scene from the costumes, blocking, Michael Baulhaus’ cinematography capturing the serenity a player feels when the beauty of a golf course lines up, to Rachel Portman’s subtle score reeling the audience in. Bagger works his magic again deep in the woods while Junuh is attempting his comeback in the match but flashbacks to war derail his game, and the chemistry between Will Smith and Matt Damon help tie these scene all together.
The legacy of the film stays complicated, as it didn’t find much commercial or critical success upon release, despite having elements of a good film. I like Redford’s direction, production design, and appreciation for the beauty and struggle that comes with the game of golf. Spike Lee highlighted a problem with the films trppe of the “Magical Negro” in which a black man with all mighty powers helps a white man win the day. While the optics are not the best, and writing not always strong in the film, I think the spiritual “fable” nature of the Bagger Vance/Rannulph Junuh dynamic works. Bagger doesn’t always sugar coat things for Junuh, and challenges him on a psychological level that matches what good caddies and coaches do to golfers of all experience. This micro-dissection of golf philosophy and reflection of a game played with equipment, in nature, and in one’s own headspace makes The Legend of Bagger Vance a notable golf film.
The Greatest Game Ever Played (Bill Paxton, 2005)
Yet another actor would take the directing chair to hit the golf links for a sports movie underdog story, with Bill Paxton teaming with Disney to bring to life the true story of the only amateur golfer to win the U.S. Open. The Greatest Game Ever Played stars Shia LaBeouf as Francis Quimet, a young man of noble means who overcame great odds to win the 1913 U.S. Open in a playoff against British champions Harry Vardon (a childhood hero of Francis) and Ted Ray. With the guidance of his young but spunky caddie Eddie, Francis must overcome his own doubts and lower class expectations to win the tournament of his life. The film is well made, showing that Bill Paxton had some directing chops before he passed and it’s a shame he couldn’t make more. Performances and production design bring the early 20th century period to life and modern film making techniques give the golf scenes a dynamic feel.
A staple of golf films is a contrast of the working class vs. the ruling elites or country club establishment, and this film doesn’t shy from those themes. Francis must overcome his lower class status even in his own home, as his father sees golf as a waste of time and money. Even veteran golfer Harry Vardon battles childhood trauma of men in coats and large black top hats invading his small home to build a golf course for “gentlemen.” He and Ted Ray are still seen as outsiders in England despite their success. Francis plays his way into the U.S. Open and despite occasional nerves, his skills and determination on his home course in Brookline, Massachusetts make his competition with Vardon and Ray one of the best golf stories to this day. Paxton gives the film an “old-timey” feel with cinematographer Shane Hulburt, but using CGI they show the take off of golf shots trajectory and end results to simulate for the audience viewing a drone or crane shot. They also adopt a similar focus technique from The Legend of Bagger Vance when players “see the field.” Using montage, Paxton speeds up the golf drama in an exciting fashion, highlighted by a scene of players enduring a stormy downpour. LaBeouf and the other actors all look the part with their golf swings and mannerisms, helping to bring 1913 Boston alive on the golf course.
The Greatest Game Ever Played was released by Disney in a run of strong inspirational sports movies for them fitting in with Remember the Titans, The Rookie, and Miracle. By 2005, golf films had started to stagnate, so it was good to get such a well made and crafted golf story in the genre again. LaBeouf was starting to find his footing as a cinematic actor and Francis Quimet was a great part for him to take at this time. This is a golf underdog story done well on both an entertainment level and authentic one. If you’re looking for a golf movie that with move you with its story, performances, and film making this is the one to choose.
Swing Away (Michael A. Nickles, 2016)
There are not too many female lead golf movies in the genre, but Swing Away definitely is one. Shannon Elizabeth stars as fallen-from-grace LPGA golfer Zoe Papadopoulos, who through the pressure of the putting “yips” has a meltdown (that would make Happy Gilmore proud) at the conclusion of a tournament and is suspended. While on a getaway back home with her family in Greece, she encounters 11-year old Stella who has a passion for the game and decides to pass along her knowledge to her new-found friend. When a greedy American developer threatens to sell off the local golf course, it’s up to Stella under the coaching of Zoe to beat him heads up in a match to save the course for the whole community.
Swing Away is a solid movie, with the typical underdog themes that accompany sports movies. What makes it refreshing is that it’s about female golfers for a change and shows the important aspect of passing the game on from professionals to kids. Usually golf films are set in the USA, UK, or Ireland, so seeing a fish out of water sports tale in Greece and how the community embraces Zoe and Stella during the golf match elevates the 3rd act climax. Shannon Elizabeth does a fine job anchoring the lead acting in the film, which does oscillate between English and Greek language to be appropriate for the local customs. She doesn’t golf much in the film despite her character’s LPGA status, but Viktoria Miller as Stella does a good job of looking the part. John O’Hurley gets to twirl his proverbial villain mustache and chew scenery as the antagonistic and power hungry Glenn who wants to sell off the local golf course to create a resort.
Swing Away earns its mark on this best golf films with its specific story telling perspective of Greek female golfers plugged into the familiar underdog formula. Overcoming the odds, beating the “yips” and pressure is what golf and golf movies are all about. Lower class smashing past the glass ceiling created by gatekeeping upper class in the golf world is a story told time again, and this time including gender is a critical wrinkle to the archetype. The film even takes a page out of Tin Cup, when a gun shy Stella plays the rest of her round with a trusted five-iron. Swing Away is at times is too cliche with sports movie formula but when it shows forward facing golf shots, reactions from actors, and builds suspense with stakes it wins out in the end.
Tommy’s Honour (Jason Connery, 2016)
What would a golf list be without a film featuring a couple founding fathers of the modern game? Tommy’s Honour, in the hands of Jason Connery (yes, son of Sean Connery) does just that, focusing on the complicated relationship between Old Tom Morris (Peter Mullan) and his golfing savant son, Tommy (Jack Lowden). Set in the late 19th century in Scotland, it depicts the life of the famous father/son golf duo with St. Andrews golf links (one of the oldest and most famous courses in the world) serving as home to their modern evolution to the game of golf (such as 18 holes being the standard). The film carries themes of class struggle on and off golf courses, particularly tough for lower class at the time who could barely escape greenskeeper and caddy designations. Tommy was a great young player, winning his club championship three years in a row and even traveling Scotland and England winning other prizes and matches. Breaking free from tough expectations from his father, the local communities, and his self is the underdog struggle within the film.
Tommy’s Honour showcases a lot of golf status at the time in 1870s Scotland but also changes for the better to come. Old Tom was a designer of many famous courses that still are popular in Scotland 150 years later. His dedication to building clubs, balls, and molding courses brought a 500 year old game into the modern era. His son Tommy was the hot player and renegade at the time, barging through social gatekeeping. Originally pegged to never be more than a caddy, Tommy won numerous matches and championships, while also changing the financial layout of the game. “Gentlemen” aristocrats of the time would gamble on players and reap all the winnings of matches, paying the actual players just a pittance. Tommy changed that, as well as changing technique to shot making, most notably creating “backspin” on approach shots. Jack Lowden gives a fine performance as Tommy, looking the part while swinging the clubs on the course and giving the right melodramatic weight to conflict off the course.
Tommy’s Honour provides strong historical accuracy to one of the oldest games in the world, and showing some of the roots take hold in Scotland is a treat for golf fans. Many of the location shooting takes place is small-town rural Scotland, where the landscape has not change too much decades later. Golf scenes are shot with beautiful compositions of the seaside windy (and sometimes snowy) links courses, with rolling hill moguls and long rough grass detailing Scottish courses both past and present. The film takes some hefty melodramatic turns that aren’t for the faint of heart, and the third act suffers great tragedy to the Morris family. This is an important golf story to tell and it fits into the golf sub-genre well.
The Phantom of the Open (Craig Roberts, 2021)
The Phantom of the Open is based on the true story of British amateur Maurice Flitcroft, who I assure you is the worst fictional golfer on this list. The inside joke of another sports comedy set on the golf links is that this golfer isn’t playing for great professional success, but merely just for the desire to play the sport he loves and those who admire his bold courage do as well. Oscar-winner Mark Rylance takes on the lead role of Maurice, another working class hero turned golfer who has one aim: to play in the British Open in the 1970s. “Fake it till you make it” is a motto that could be applied to this tongue-in-cheek story, as Maurice embellishes his status as a professional golfer to enter British Open qualifying despite having the ability of most reading this article. His shenanigans ultimately cause a rift between the elites who outright reject him, family who have mixed reaction to his stunts, and the beloved fans he grows across the golf world.
The film wins over the audience with strong performances, particularly from Rylance and Sally Hawkins who plays his supportive wife in the film, Jean. The tone of the film balances well between absurdist comedy and heartfelt drama. The themes of gatekeeping in golf are at it again, as Maurice can’t even practice at a home club with the work status of a crane operator at a shipping yard hanging over his head. He practices in parks, on beaches, and at home to prepare for his illogical dream of playing for the “Claret Jug” at the Open. He meets Spanish golf legend Seve Ballestores in the locker room and exchanges pleasantries with him in his native language. He hacks away on the course to the score of a 121, upsetting tournament director Keith Mackenzie (Ryhs Ifans) to the point of banning him for life from golfing in the U.K. Maurice stays determined however, using disguises and lack of shame to enter the Open again and again, winning over fans and his sons in the process.
Director Craig Roberts crafted a winner with The Phantom of the Open. It’s a well-made and entertaining blend of comedy and drama to make it a fine entry in the golf film sub-genre. Themes of inclusion, love of the game, and determination without the need for success are key to sports and golf especially. Golf scenes are shot well and match the tone needed for each scene, whether it be the absurd nature of Maurice golfing terribly while in disguise or pushing the boundaries of golf elites who wish to hide his shenanigans. Maurice Flitcroft is a fun character in golf history, and his impact at the time on amateur ties to the game still resonate now for one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world.
The Long Game (Julio Quintana, 2023)
Finally, The Long Game adapts the true story of 1957 San Felipe Mustang high school golf team, and their bid to win the state championship in boys golf. What makes the story so unique is a Mexican-American golf team overcoming the odds and beating mostly white competition. JB Pena (Jay Hernandez) and Frank Mitchell (Dennis Quaid) star as WWII survivors and friends with a knack for the game of golf, who take under their wing and mentorship a group of Mexican-American golfers in southwest Texas, where racial prejudice creates hurdles for the team in public spaces and on the golf course. Similar to class struggle seen in most golf movies on this list, highlighting the racial divide seen within the games history makes The Long Game an important story in the golf film lexicon.
Yet another underdog story, The Long Game checks off many of the sports and golf movie formulaic cliches. Coaches Pena and Mitchell battle their own internal struggles with war PTSD and acceptance at the golf country club as a minority and coaches of minorities. The golfers themselves face racial prejudice from the country club, local diners, and from playing competitors during play. They have to create their own golf holes on hillside, or sneak onto the country club and play at night so no members can see them. While this has been seen in baseball movies like 42, and football movies like Remember the Titans, its not a common component of golf films although it has been tied to class struggle and gatekeeping in golfs history, particular towards women and minorities. Star player Joe Trevino (Julian Works) has scenes showing off his talent with a club as well as his struggles controlling emotions when faced with adversity and prejudice on and off the course.
The Long Game isn’t a perfect film by any means. I wish it cut out some of Joe and Daniela’s relationship scenes that don’t add much to the larger story. The golf scenes while filmed with digital cameras with drone and crane shots add a modern dynamic to depicting 1950s golf aesthetic. I wish director Julio Quintana filmed them with slightly less kinetic motion and fast cutting. The story also could have built towards their triumph victory on the course a bit better, they only play maybe 3 tournaments in the film and action on the course isn’t very frequent? Quintana does show a well filmed montage scene in the rain, showing the hardened Mustang golfers overcoming the obstacle better than their competition. The welcome home parade for the players at the end by their hometown is a satisfying conclusion. Ultimately, The Long Game is carried by a heart-warming underdog story with an important sports movie message regarding racial politics in sports, with solid lead performances from veteran actors Hernandez and Quaid. Golf films usually focus on individual achievement, and it’s refreshing to see a team effort rewarded in a mostly individual sport.
These golf films all teach the audience about the game as well as how they can fit within it. It doesn’t matter what your race, gender, or job is or what standing in society your family has. Golf is a sport that everyone can play and enjoy at their own skill level. The ball, clubs, grass, sand, water, sky, wind—it’s all tied together. Focus and reflection, calming the nerves to play naturally and to one’s ability are key elements to golf movie characters and narratives. Overcoming all obstacles whether they be off the course, on the course, or between the ears of golfers is the path to success. The best golf films in history tell diverse stories that form commonalities with both emotional and hilarious results.
