The 10 Best Golf Movies Ever

The sports movie never fails to entertain audiences. Be it comedy or drama, Hollywood has a way of spinning historical and fictional sports moments into an entertaining vessel of intrigue, humor, and memorable endings.

Due to their popularity, basketball, football, and baseball movies are some of the most remembered by audiences. But let’s not overlook golf. The game's pace doesn’t seem to lend itself to a great motion picture script, but some stories don’t require fast-paced action to become a favorite. They just need substance.

Fortunately, the game of golf has had plenty of riveting, hilarious, and/or captivating stories told through the director’s lens over the year. Here are some of the best.

The Best Golf Movies of All Time

Ranking movies is a subjective pursuit. What’s absolute gold to someone may be a yawn fest for others. It’s the topic of debates and arguments; the lead-off for first-date questions.

So whether you’re a golfer or just a fan of the silver screen, here are the 11 best golf movies in no particular order. Hopefully, it inspires you to watch more, and hopefully, find a favorite of your own.

1. Happy Gilmore

Adam Sandler’s career started off with a few humdingers. “Billy Madison,” “The Wedding Singer,” and another sports movie, “The Waterboy” all come to mind. But perhaps Sandler’s swan song was just a movie about a hapless hockey player with a sensational drive off the tee.

Packed with plenty of hilarity, a supervillain (at the least in the golf world) in the likes of Shooter McGavin played by Christopher McDonald, and a fistfight featuring Bob Barker, Happy Gilmore has the laughs and suspense to entertain golf and comedy fans alike.

You may never perfect the run-up approach with your golf club and hit a 400-yard drive on the golf course like Happy Gilmore, but maybe it gives you the inspiration you need to hit the fairway, set up your shot, or even break 90.

2. Caddyshack

Bill Murray’s love of golf is well-document over the years, appearing in plenty of pro-am and celebrity tournaments. What’s unknown is whether his role as the crazy groundskeeper in “Caddyshack” was the catalyst for his love of the game, or whether he chose the role because he already loved the game. Either way, the Harold Ramis-directed “Caddyshack” is arguably the best golf movie ever made, giving a hilarious view of the fictional Bushwood Country Club.

It’s packed with great one-liners, the one-of-a-kind comedic timing of Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, and Rodney Dangerfield, and the iconic, mischievous gopher that only Murray can see. Utterly ridiculous at every turn, “Caddyshack” takes a bit of gravity out of the game, allowing fans and non-fans of the game to enjoy it unabashedly.

3. Tin Cup

Two weeks before Tiger Woods turned pro in 1996, “Tin Cup” hit theaters to the delight of golf fans everywhere. To some, it’s the last of the best golf movies ever made.

Directed by Ron Shelton and starring Kevin Costner as Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy — a driving range pro in Texas, “Tin Cup” is loosely — very loosely — based on the true story of PGA Tour golfer Chip Beck, who famously made a run at The Masters championship in 1993.

After being humiliated by his rival at a celebrity golf tournament, McAvoy decides to make a run at the PGA Tour with the motivation of his pupil Dr. Molly Griswold, played by Rene Russo. One part romantic comedy and one part drama, it’s the best golf movie for true lovers of the links.

4. The Greatest Game Ever Played

If you love an uplifting underdog story, “The Greatest Game Ever Played” is assuredly your muse. Based on the true story of Hall-of-Famer Francis Ouimet and directed by Bill Paxton, this biopic golf film chronicles the amateur golfer’s unlikely championship at the 1913 U.S. Open — in a playoff against pros who inspired him.

Played by Shia LaBeouf, Ouimet is an aspiring, yet poor young golfer who starts as one of the caddies at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Inspired by seeing professional golfer Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane) on the course, he hones his game meticulously with every spare moment. Over the course of a few years and with the help of wealthy golfers, Ouimet works his way from being a caddy to a tour champion at the young age of 20.

With poise, calmness, and a strong work ethic, Ouimet proves that a gentleman’s game isn’t just for the rich. It’s for those who want it the most.

5. Seve: The Movie

If documentaries are more your speed, “Seve: The Movie” provides fascinating and intriguing insights into the life of PGA golfer Seve Ballesteros. Growing up in a working-class family in Spain, Ballesteros overcomes his humble beginnings and adversity to become one of the best linksmen in professional golf. He eventually becomes the youngest winner of The Masters — albeit a record that was broken by another bright young star — Tiger Woods.

Another true underdog story, the film shows the obsessive dedication needed to excel in the professional ranks, as well as Ballesteros’ awe-inspiring outlook on life in general.

6. The Legend of Bagger Vance

Is it a ghost story? Is it a sports movie? Maybe it’s both. And that’s what makes “The Legend of Bagger Vance” one of the best golf movies in recent memory.

Featuring an all-star cast of Matt Damon, Jack Lemmon, Charlize Theron, and Will Smith, and directed by Robert Redford, the movie’s acting is its strong point, but the story itself instills a heartfelt feeling of overcoming adversity.

The film revolves around former golfer Rannulph Junuh, who returns from World War I with war flashbacks and a battle with alcoholism. But when his wife asks him to participate in a local tournament, Junuh returns to the course.

While practicing, he runs into the mysterious Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith, who becomes his caddy for the tournament. Over the course of the tournament, Vance helps to restore Junuh to his former mastery, teaching him life lessons along the way. And just as he entered the story, Vance is gone — leaving the audience to determine who — or what — he actually is.

7. Dead Solid Perfect

Based on the eponymous Dan Jenkins’ best-seller, “Dead Solid Perfect” isn’t often mentioned as one of the best golf movies, but it should get every bit of the same recognition as others on this list.

Due to production issues, the movie was filmed in 1988, but it wasn’t released until three years later — and on VHS at that. Following the life of professional golfer Kenny Lee — played by Randy Quaid of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” fame, the movie shows both the sporting and personal sides of the PGA Tour and its effects on its players.

8. Tommy’s Honour

Set in 1866 at the oldest golf course in the world — St. Andrews in Scotland — “Tommy’s Honour” is a biopic that follows the lives of father-son golfing pioneers Old Tom Morris and his son Tommy. A two-time winner of The Open, Old Tom mentors his son and turns him into the greatest golfer of the era. Due to the changing rules of social class, the father and son clash regularly, which leads to family turmoil and upheaval.

Featuring passionate performances from Jack Lowden and Peter Mullan, the film is a historical insight into the evolution of the game — both in terms of social status and sport.

9. Pat and Mike

Often overlooked as one of the best golf movies possibly due to its age, “Pat and Mike” was a pioneer of women’s issues in sports and social conventions of the era. Released in 1953, the film follows the life of Pat Pemberton — played by Katherine Hepburn — and having to choose between being a golf/tennis star or marrying her fiancee.

After meeting the slightly shady sports promoter Mike Conovan — played by Spencer Tracy — Pat begins to improve her game, all while they fall for each other. Although it’s a bit contrived, it’s a solid entry into the discussion for the best golf movies ever.

10. From the Rough

Black golfers are notoriously underrepresented in both film and on the course, but this underrated film aims to change that. “From the Rough” tells the light-hearted, true story of Catana Starks, the first woman ever to coach a collegiate men’s golf team.

Played by Taraji P. Henson, Starks is the women’s swimming coach at Tennessee State University — an HBCU in Nashville. Learning that the school is starting a golf team, the school selects Starks to become the coach — albeit with a learning curve.

With feel-good teachings and messages, “From the Rough” shows how women and people of color can succeed on the golf course and beyond.

Making a Golf Movie of Your Own

You may never win an Oscar, make the PGA Tour, or become the next Jack Nicklaus or Ben Hogan, but you can make a golf movie of your own that will make you just as proud. No, you’re not making a feature-length movie; you’re just using technology to improve your game.

By using cameras, apps, and shot-tracer software, you can improve your long game and short game drastically, while fixing the problems that are holding you back. Maybe the best golf movie is the underdog story you can call your own.