The next time you are interested in watching a sports movie, consider making that sport golf. Golf is a sport that inspires passion. Whether you’re an amateur golfer, a professional, or a golf fan, the list we’re about to show you has something for everyone. We’re talking from the classics to comedies to drama and biographical films.
Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, this list has comedies, dramas, and even a little romance – we did our due diligence to ensure there was something for everyone.
This list of the 10 Best golf movies of all time will make you want to sit down and watch!
Caddyshack (1980)
First on the list is a classic comedy that doubles as a classic golf movie. Starring Michael O’Keefe as Danny Noonan, a young and impressionable teenager working as a caddy at Bushwood Country Club trying to save enough money for college.
While he often caddies for Ty Webb (Chevy Chase), he attempts to curry favor with Judge Elihu Smails (Ted Knight), the director of the Caddy Scholarship Program.
Danny struggles to prepare for the high-pressure ‘Caddy Day’ tournament while taking advice from Ty Webb. Meanwhile, Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) attempts to combat a gopher infestation on the grounds. With Rodney Dangerfield thrown into the mix with Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, hilarity ensues.
Happy Gilmore (1996)
Happy Gilmore is a quintessential Adam Sandler movie. This comedy follows Happy Gilmore (Sandler), a wanna-be hockey player who accidentally discovers he has a talent for golf.
He takes up the game to compete in four major golf tournaments and try to save his grandmother from losing her house. Still, his incredibly unorthodox approach to golf leads to some hilarious misadventures along the way.
Tin Cup (1996)
This is a romantic comedy based on a true story. Tin Cup stars Kevin Costner as Roy McAvoy, a washed-up professional golfer now working on his own driving range as a golf instructor.
He begins to develop feelings for his newest student Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo), who unexpectedly turns out to be the girlfriend of his rival David Simms (Don Johnson.
This story is directed by Ron Shelton and is a sports movie classic: will he choose to go for it and go for the girl, or will he leave the game forever, giving it all up to play it safe?
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
From Buena Vista Pictures, The Greatest Game Ever Played is a look into the history of golf. This story follows the life of a young boy, Francis Ouimet (Shia LeBeouf), as he aspires to make his dreams of becoming a golf champion.
In an inspirational story based on real life, Ouimet works as a caddy at a prestigious country club and hones his skills after hours. Earning the chance to compete in the 1913 U.S. Open, he finds that he and his boyhood idol Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane), share common ground.
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
The Legend of Bagger Vance features stars like Will Smith and Matt Damon. During the Great Depression, this golf story features a young golfer Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), who is down on his luck. He has returned from World War I a traumatized man after his entire company is wiped out in battle, fighting his demons with alcohol.
To save her family’s struggling golf course, his estranged girlfriend and Georgia socialite Adele Invergordon (Charlize Theron) announces a high-stakes tournament featuring some of the greatest golfers of the era. To win local interest, she asks Rannulph to play in the game.
Rannulph finds himself with a chance to play alongside the stars, but his game needs work. When he meets Bagger Vance (Will Smith), a mystical caddy who appears as if from nowhere, he learns to recover his game. This is a heart-warming story for all golf fans.
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
You may have guessed, but this movie is a tribute to Bobby Jones. This biographical drama tells the story of how Bobby Jones rose from obscurity, overcoming an intense personality and temper, as well as perfectionist tendencies, becoming a revered legend.
When he has trouble balancing his golfing career with the rest of his life, he must make a difficult decision: continue playing golf or leave it all behind.
Pat and Mike (1952)
Pat Pemberton (Katharine Hepburn) enters golf matches within the ladies professional golf association and holds her own in the competition well. When her fiance shows up to watch her play, she loses focus and stops trying. Realizing this, but knowing she has a real talent for the game, Mike Conovan (Spencer Tracy) offers to train her.
Realizing he is developing feelings for her, Mike makes it his mission to try to keep Pat and her fiance apart, not just for her game. This romantic comedy even earned an Oscar for its script.
Fun fact: Hepburn performed her sports scenes herself, showing off her near-professional athletic abilities as an avid golfer and tennis player.
Miracle on the 17th Green (1999)
This movie adaptation of a book is another to add to the list of great golf films. After Mitch McKinley suddenly loses his job as a corporate executive and is forced into shockingly early retirement, he decides to take up his passion for golf and play on the PGA Senior Tour.
This sudden change leaves his wife and family neglected as he strives to make a spot in the golf tournament. To find out how the rest of his life unfolds with this new success, be sure to watch this classic golf movie!
A Gentleman’s Game (2002)
You may have picked this up from some of our other film choices, but often sports movies are metaphors for larger life lessons. In this film, young Timmy Price (Mason Gamble) is fascinated with golf, but his father prohibits him from playing.
Despite his father’s disapproval, he gets a job as a caddy, picks up a golf club, and begins to show promise as a player. After Timmy wins his first championship, he receives valuable lessons from his mentor that there is more to life than winning.
From The Rough (2013)
This movie tells the story of Catana Starks, the first African American woman (and first woman) to coach a men’s college golf team.
Based on the true story of Catana Starks, who started as the women’s swim coach at Tennessee State University. After switching to the golf team, she successfully brings her misfit group of eight young golfers to a record championship season.
Honorable Mentions
We may have listed the top 10 golf movies of all time, but below are a few more that deserve honorable mentions for their storylines.
The Caddy (1953)
This film features Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in a semi-musical sports comedy. After mishaps on the green lead them into show business, this dynamic duo makes a name for themselves in comedy.
Tommy’s Honour (2016)
This is a historical drama about the lives, careers, and tumultuous relationship of Scottish golfing champions Old Tom Morris and his son, Young Tom Morris. The elder Morris reflects on teaching his son to play golf, and using his street smarts, business acumen, and skill to develop golf lessons that ultimately become the modern game of golf.
So, Which Golf Movie Will You Watch First?
Like we said, a little something for everyone, right? Maybe you didn’t think you wanted to watch a golf movie before, but golf can also make for a fun movie!
Watching movies like these will hopefully give you newfound respect or perspective on the golf world. A sport that can be so intense in real life can also become fun and lighthearted on the big screen.
Whether you’re looking for a heartfelt movie or a golf comedy, this list of the 10 Best Golf Movies of All Time is sure to have something for everyone.