The Top 10 Golf Movies
By Bradley Turner, Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction, MBA, PGA
I think I am the only person in my family to have watched all these movies. I don’t think my wife or kids have watched any of the ten movies on this list. Golf movies do not get much interest from those who do not play the game. With less than 10% of the US population playing golf, the potential audience to view any golf movie is limited. Consequently, good golf movies must reach beyond avid golfers like myself and capture the human interests of the story. Five movies were inspired by bestselling books, while the other five are original. I have listed my top ten best golf movies from the perspective of the avid golfer I am.
#10 Golf in the Kingdom (2010)
A great book but turned into an average movie at best. Since I read the Michael Murphy saga of golf and life lessons from Shivas Irons, I wanted the movie to be better than it was. The setting is in a fictional location in Scotland, between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Fay. It just so happens that St. Andrews is located in this area, the kingdom of golf. Despite the movie’s shortcomings, the avid golfer gets another look at the sometimes mystical aspects of the game. Kind of like when you have a long putt, and you sense it might go in, and then you make the putt. Shivas Irons asks why that happens.
#9 Tommy’s Honour (2017)
This is a must-watch story for golf historians about Old Tom Morris and his son Tommy. Based on the book by Kevin Cook, the Morrises are considered the patriarchs of golf. Old Tom Morris worked for the first professional in golf, Allan Robertson. Robertson was the golf professional at the Old Course in St. Andrews and the best golfer in the world. When Robertson passed in 1859, the debate about who was the next champion golfer inspired the first Open Championship in 1860. The true story of young Tommy Morris becoming the best golfer in the world is told in this historic film.
#8 Dead Solid Perfect (1988)
This is another excellent book that was turned into a movie. Sports writer Dan Jenkins’ book is hilarious and insightful with fictional characters that mirror players on the PGA Tour. As with most books adapted onto the big screen, the movie does not measure up to the book. However, avid golfers will enjoy this comedy film with Randy Quaid starring as the main character.
#7 Follow the Sun (1951)
Follow the Sun is the story of Ben Hogan and his remarkable comeback from a near-fatal car accident in 1949. Hogan was coaching Glen Ford throughout the film but was never satisfied with Ford’s golf swing. Eventually, a Glen Ford mask was created, and Hogan wore the mask in a few scenes. The swing was perfect, according to Hogan. I saw the movie as a teenager, and it made me want to be a golf professional.
#6 Tin Cup (1996)
Kevin Costner stars as the driving range professional from Texas who rarely plays the percentages and believes he can hit any golf shot. You never want to “Tin Cup” a hole that Costner made famous at the movie’s end. Costner worked hard on his swing with television announcer Gary McCord to appear on screen as a legitimate professional golfer. Costner fell short in that regard, but it was a fun movie for many golfers and non-golfers.
#5 Happy Gilmore (1996)
I am not sure how two comedies based on the game of golf debuted in the same year, but it may have something to do with Tiger Woods turning professional that year. Adam Sandler was the hilarious lead character who turned a floundering career as a professional hockey player into a winning career on the PGA Tour. If you haven’t tried hitting a drive like Happy Gilmore, you have seen someone try it. Unfortunately, the science of Happy’s technique for hitting prodigious drives doesn’t add up, but it is still fun to try.
#4 Bobby Jones – Stroke of Genius (2004)
Actor Jim Caviezel plays the life of the greatest amateur golfer in history. The story centers on the challenges Jones faced in golf and his professional career as he ascended from a junior protégé into the greatest golfer in the world and the pressure and obligations that go with stardom. As a Bobby Jones fan, I highly recommend this movie.
#3 The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
I loved this book and was excited to see the movie. Will Smith plays the role of Bagger Vance, a caddy with a magical understanding of golf’s mysteries. Matt Damon is the main character who was once a champion amateur golfer until World War I intervened. He tries to regain his former playing abilities but struggles until he meets Bagger Vance, who guides him through the game’s mental challenges.
#2 The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
The book by Mark Frost was made into a movie with Shai LaBeouf playing the role of Francis Ouimet. The young amateur and former caddy from the wrong side of the tracks, Ouimet won the 1913 US Open in a playoff over the era’s best professional golfers. Ouimet’s win shocked the world of golf when he defeated the great Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff. The book was a fantastic read for avid golfers, and I thought the movie captured the essence of the greatest game ever played.
#1 Caddy Shack (1980)
Without a doubt, the most quoted golf movie of all time. Possibly the most mentioned movie of all time! Golfers of all skill levels will shout out sayings from the movie, maybe without even knowing the genesis of the quote. Who hasn’t heard a fellow golfer utter “He’s a Cinderella Story…” like Bill Murray’s character Carl Spackler? Indeed, you have heard someone shout “Noonan” when you are over a short putt. Have you ever said “Billy…Billy” when facing an important putt? Chances are you know these and many others from the classic all-time favorite golf movie Caddy Shack.
