If you live in an area that is severely locked down due to the current coronavirus pandemic (i.e. Virtually Everyone) then you have probably scanned through half of the Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime library by now. But in case you missed these while perusing your usual streaming service, we put together a list of some of the best golf movies that you can watch to fill some of the time spent locked inside on your couch while social distancing.
See below – These are in no particular order, but we’d love to hear your Top 3 in the comments below.
Tin Cup
Tin Cup is half golf movie, half romantic comedy but don’t let that stop you from watching this hilariously funny movie. Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a run down old golf pro, who owns an equally run down old driving range in West Texas. After falling for a woman who comes to his driving range looking for lessons, he decides to get his act together and qualify for the US Open. With the help of the same woman (Rene Russo) and his affable sidekick/caddy Romeo (Cheech Marin), Tin Cup tries his best to hold it together on his quest to qualify and win one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
Caddyshack
There is not much I can say about this movie that I am sure you don’t already know. Possibly one of the most legendary golf movies ever, if you have not seen Caddyshack you must be new to golf or new to life! This movie follows the crazy antics of characters played by comedic GIANTS such as Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Michael O’Keefe, and Bill Murray as a wacky groundskeeper through a hilarious plot that involves teenage partying caddies, and overly stuffy country club members. This is always fun to re-watch, and if you haven’t seen it, “Au Revoir, Gopher”.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
The Legend of Bagger Vance is such a great movie for so many reasons. Not the least of which is you get a young Matt Damon and Will Smith in what some would call their prime. The movie follows the tale of Amateur Golfer Rannulph Junuh (always thought it was Randolph till I started writing this article), a disillusioned WWI Veteran who finds it difficult to find his passion for the game again once he returns back home from war. With the help of a mysterious caddy named Bagger Vance, Junuh is able to restore his confidence in his swing, and ease some of the demons of war, all the while being in a 3 way match play competition with Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. This is definitely a must watch if you have not seen it – tons of golf and really a good movie in general.
Happy Gilmore
Although many would argue that this movie doesn’t match up to some of the more “classic” golf movies on this list, I would have to say Happy Gilmore is my favorite golf movie – hands down. This is a young Adam Sandler, right around the time he was coming up and it seemed like he was creating comedy hit after hit. Again, I can’t imagine anyone having not seen this, but to give a brief summary – Happy Gilmore is a somewhat deranged wannabe Pro Hockey Player who doesn’t have much going for him. Until finally when his grandmother is being evicted from her house, he learns that he can drive a Golf Ball 400+ yards. Once he realizes that there is some money to be made in this, he joins the PGA tour to earn his grandmothers house back. With hilarious characters like Shooter McGavin - a pompous pro golfer who wants Happy off the tour, and Chubbs – a sage ex golf pro with one hand and Happy’s instructor, this movie is one of the first reasons I started loving golf.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Compared the other golf movies on this list, The Greatest Game Ever Played is the relatively lesser know of the bunch. That being said, it is worth giving a watch if you have seen everything else on this list and looking for something new. It is based on the true story of Francis Quimet (Played by Shia LaBeouf before he lost his mind) and his journey from underprivileged golf caddy to competing in the US Open. This movie, similar to The Legend of Bagger Vance is set in the turn of the 1900’s – so you might not recognize too many of the big name golfers. The underdog story of Quimet who was told he couldn’t play by everyone, including his own father, is a movie that will leave you in high spirits and gives an interesting look at golf in that era.
