Summary
Golf isn’t the most action-packed sport, but it has proven to be an underrated subject in many famous sports films. From classics such asHappy Gilmoreto newer releases likeThe Phantom of the Open,the subtlety of golf pairs nicely with films that explore various characters. Some comical characters, including those inCaddyshack, have a humorous and contrasting approach to the often quiet sport.
Others, like the subjects ofThe Phantom of the OpenandTommy’s Honour, are based on real prominent names in the world of golf.Movies about golf fall under a few different genres, with comedy being the most popular. The idea that golf is an exclusive sport makes for a hilarious outcome when rowdy characters burst onto the course. Though some golf movies have gained a cult following over the years, others have remained in conversation, but fail to bring anything memorable to the sub-genre of sports films.
10 Most Inspirational Sports Movies, Ranked
Great sports movies can transcend the confines of their sport and deliver inspirational messages which can be applied to all aspects of life.
10The Legend Of Bagger Vance (2000)
A Former Golfer Reconnects With His Passion For The Game
Despite its star-studded cast,The Legend of Bagger Vancedidn’t perform well at the box office and hasn’t stuck with general audiences the way other golf films have. Instead,Robert Redford’s film has become known for its controversial narrative and underwhelming script. Based on a 1995 novel by Steven Pressfield,The Legend of Bagger Vancefollows the story of the titular traveler (Will Smith) as he helps Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon) reignite his passion for the game of golf.
The Legend of Bagger Vancehas been criticized, most notably by Spike Lee, for contributing to a storytelling trope in which Black supporting characters are depicted as magical or insightful, using their skills to help white protagonists. Still,The Legend of Bagger Vanceis a staple film for many fans of golf. The period piece’s inspiring tale, told from the perspective of Jack Lemmon’s character, isa relatable story about the love of the game.
9Tommy’s Honour (2016)
The Life Story Of Legendary Scottish Golfers
The father and son duo,Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, are the heart of the 2016 biopic,Tommy’s Honour. In real life, the Scottish golfers are seen as pioneers in the sport, having won numerous Open Championships and, at times, competing as a team during challenge matches.Tommy’s Honourdepicts the Morris' athletic accomplishments as well as their complicated relationship as father and son.
Tommy’s Honourshares the emotional story of the innovative golfers, but there isn’t enough diversity in the golfing sequences to hold the attention of the average audience member. As an informative insight into the sport’s history, those with a distinct interest in the subject are the target audience. Still, Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden earned critical praise for their performances andthe latter was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best FilmActor.
8Pat And Mike (1952)
A Skilled Golfer Is Trained By A Corrupt Sports Manager
In 1949, real-life couple Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were co-stars in George Cukor’s romantic comedy,Adam’s Rib. The three reunited a few years later forPat and Mike, in which Hepburn and Tracy play the titular pair.Pat and Mikefollows the two as they work to propel Pat into a successful sports careerwhilst trying to avoid her controlling and distracting husband.
As many of Cukor’s films do,Pat and Mikeis comedic and entertaining. Though the film is more focused on the dynamic between Pat and Mike, there is still a great number of sports scenes. Throughout her career, Hepburn was known to play characters on screen that closely matched her personality in real life. When she wasn’t acting, Hepburn was an active person, allowing her to perform the golf and tennis scenes in the film herself.Pat and Mikealso features cameos from famous golfers at the time,such as Helen Dettweiler and Babe Didrikson Zaharias.
7The Short Game (2013)
Young Golfers Prepare To Compete In The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship
Differing from other ranked golf films,The Short Gameis a documentary.The Short Game, directed by Josh Greenbaum, provides a peek into the lives of eight young golfers as they prepare to compete in the 2012 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. In preparation for the competition,audiences enter the homes of golfers all around the world and gain insight into their early passion for the sport.
Critics compared the format ofThe Short Gameto the 2002 documentary about the Scripps National Spelling Bee,Spellbound, but criticized the golf documentary for presenting only a positive look at the young competitor’s lives.
Critics compared the format ofThe Short Gameto the 2002 documentary about the Scripps National Spelling Bee,Spellbound, but criticized the golf documentary for presenting only a positive look at the young competitor’s lives. Rather than dig into the pressures that come with being a skilled athlete at a young age,The Short Gameprovides a lighthearted image of the subject.Additionally, famed golfers such as Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sörenstam provide commentary throughout.
6The Caddy (1953)
The Hilarious Antics Of Martin And Lewis Take Over The Golf Course
Starring the legendary comedic duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis,The Caddyis one of the first comedic films about golf. Joe (Martin) and Harvey (Lewis) areThe Caddy’s leading characters and, together, they build upon Joe’s skills as a golfer. What ensues during their journey is humorous bickering and a redirection into the entertainment industry.
LikePat and Mike, the heart ofThe Caddyis the zany antics of Martin and Lewis. Still,The Caddyisn’t always regarded as either actor’s best film, nor as their best as a duo. However,The Caddyis the first film to feature Martin’s famous song, “That’s Amore,“which was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. Additionally, just as many other golf films do,The Caddyhas cameos from professional golfers, including Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson.
5The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
The Story Of Famed Golfer Francis Ouimet
A film about Hall of Fame golfer, Francis Ouimet,The Greatest Game Ever Playedhas been described as a sports biopic that easily appeals to golf enthusiasts and casual moviegoers alike. Set in the early 1900s,The Greatest Game Ever Playeddetails both the obstacles and triumphs in Ouimet’s careeras he competes in the 1913 U.S. Open. Ouimet began his career as an amateur golfer and insisted on never becoming a professional.
The Greatest Game Ever Playedisrich with history about Ouimet’s career and the era’s prestige outlook on the sport.However, the film doesn’t differ from other inspirational sports biopics, following a familiar formula. Instead, part of whereThe Greatest Game Ever Playedshines is in its golfing sequences. It can be difficult to frame golf in an engaging way on-screen, but Bill Paxton’s film has eye-catching camera techniques that add a layer of intrigue and stakes to the game.
The 1976 Open Championship is partially remembered for the entrance ofMaurice Flitcroft, an amateur golfer who claimed he was a professional and ended up earning the worst score in the tournament’s history. Flitcroft, played by Mark Rylance, is the subject of the 2021 film,The Phantom of the Open. Flitcroft gained widespread attention for his initial entrance onto the golf course and he was forbidden from entering any championships again.
However, that didn’t stop him. Flitcroft continued to seek entrance into competitions by wearing various disguises and going by false names.The Phantom of the Openis an endearing film about taking risks as dreamers, but while Rylance is fully committed to the boldness of the golfer, Flitcroft is portrayed as a caricature at times. Regardless,The Phantom of the Openis a feel-good film with plenty of heartfelt and comedic moments.
WhileHappy Gilmoremay not beAdam Sandler’s best movie, it’s widely popular among golfers and ranks highly against other golf films. The comedy film, directed by a frequent collaborator of Sandler’s, Dennis Dugan,displays an uptight etiquette in golf to contrast with the rough demeanor of Sandler’s titular character.A fan-favorite example of Happy’s short temper is when he’s fed up with TV personality Bob Barker’s comments and the two get into a physical altercation — one of thefunniest scenes in Sandler’s career.
Adam Sandler has also starred in recent films likeHustle(2022), where he played Stanley Sugerman, andHubie Halloween(2020), in which he portrayed Hubie Dubois.
Aside from the comedic characterization expected from Sandler,Happy Gilmoreis also remembered for the rivalry between Happy and Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) and the famous Happy Gilmore swing. Alongside Barker, there are a few other figures in sports that make cameos. Mark Lye and Lee Trevino, just to name a few, are two professional golfers who appear as themselves.
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Happy Gilmore is loaded with celebrity cameos and professional golfer appearances that add a layer of legitimacy to the classic golf comedy.
2Tin Cup (1996)
A Golf Rivalry Begins Out Of Love
Other golf films fall under the drama or comedy genre, butTin Cuphas elements of romance mixed with the sport.After his previous collaboration with director Ron Shelton onBull Durham, Kevin Costner swaps a baseball bat for a golf club. InTin Cup, Costner plays a former golfer who finds himself in a competition with a former college classmate (Don Johnson).
Tin Cupremains the most influential with tournaments and real-life golfers earning the nickname “Tin Cup” for their similarities to the movie.
The result of Costner and Johnson’s characters' rivalry is the winning title at the U.S. Open.The competitive framework ofTin Cupalso complements the central love story in the filmwith Rene Russo’s Molly Griswold.Costner has starred in numerous sports filmsthroughout his career. However,Tin Cupremains the most influential with tournaments and real-life golfers earning the nickname “Tin Cup” for their similarities to the movie. WithinTin Cup, professional golfers including Craig Stadler and Billy Mayfair make cameos as themselves.
Packed with actors who’d go on to have successful careers in comedy,Caddyshackis celebrated as one of the funniest sports films. As many sports comedies do,Caddyshackmakes light of the high-class culture and etiquette surrounding golf.Caddyshackfollows a teenage caddie (Michael O’Keefe) who has hopes of obtaining a college scholarship and finds himself intertwined in a golf match fueled by a rivalry.
Caddyshackdoesn’t have realistic or visually inspiring golfing sequences, but that’s not what the film promised to be. Despite negative critical reviews when it was released, the comedy film has gained a cult following for its memorable characters and use of Kenny Loggins' song “I’m Alright.“Caddyshack’s funniest quotesare also a testament to the film’s greatest strength.Throughout the film, the skilled actors often improvised their lines, givingCaddyshackits laugh-out-loud quality.
