While the coronavirus pandemic brings much of the country and world to a relative standstill, there’s no better time to catch up on some great movies that you either haven’t gotten around to seeing or haven’t seen in a while.
With that in mind, here are 10 of the best golf movies we’ve seen, ranked in no particular order, that should be on your watch list during these uncertain times. Grab some popcorn, hunker down and knock these movies out to take a small respite from the realities of the world.
Caddyshack – 1980
Caddyshack isn’t just one of the best golf movies; it’sit’s one of the best sports movies ever made. Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and the rest of the gang make this cult classic come to life 40 years ago.
With countless memorable lines and all different types of hilarious subplots — Carl the greenskeeper chasing gophers, Danny Noonan’s quest to go to college, Ty Webb measuring his score by height —this movie has got it all (not to mention all of the whacky outfits we used to think were cool back in the 80s).
But hey, they looked good on you, though!
Tin Cup – 1996
Kevin Costner stars in one of his best athlete roles as Roy McAvoy, a washed-up driving range pro from West Texas who tries to qualify for the U.S. Open to win over a lady, played by Renee Russo.
Conveniently, Russo happens to be dating the Tour’s best player and McAvoy’s arch-nemesis, David Simms, played by Don Johnson.
From amazing quotes to incredible cameos, it’s the ultimate story of going for it.
Happy Gilmore – 1996
Adam Sandler stars in the role of Happy Gilmore as a hockey player with no real ability except a powerful slapshot and discovers he can hit a golf ball a country mile.
With his unorthodox swing and hockey player mentality, he makes it to the Tour in an effort to win back his poor grandma’s house. Only Shooter McGavin, played by Christopher McDonald, stands in his way in this amazingly funny flick.
The Legend Of Bagger Vance – 2000
Matt Damon and Will Smith take on a heart-warming story of a disillusioned war veteran, Captain Rannulph Junah, who reluctantly agrees to get back into the game of golf and take on some of the world’s best.
Only when he met his caddy, Bagger Vance, does he begin to realize that every person only has their own authentic swing, which also happens to be a metaphor for life.
The Greatest Game Ever Played – 2005
With more factual history than most golf films you’ll find, The Greatest Game Ever Played is an unlikely success story of a working-class American boy named Francis Ouimet and his desire to prove he can make it against the world’s top professionals, mainly Harry Vardon.
Shia LaBeouf and Bill Paxton star in this uplifting and inspiring story.
Dead Solid Perfect – 1998
While this 1988 made-for-TV movie never made it to the big screen, it doesn’t take anything away from the story.
Randy Quaid plays a struggling golfer desperate to make it big on the PGA Tour. The film follows him around on his adventures all across the country.
Seven Days in Utopia – 2011
Robert Duvall stars in this 2011 adaptation from Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia, a book by David L. Cook.
It follows the story of pro golfer Luke Chisholm on his journey from rock bottom to meeting Johnny Crawford, a rancher and former touring golfer who decides to help him by taking him under his wing and help him uncover the key to his future.
A Gentleman’s Game – 2001
This 2001 sports drama is the story of Timmy, a 13-year-old boy with his sights sets on making it big time in the world of golf.
With the help of his father, he begins his journey caddying for some of the game’s best players. But only when he gets taken under the wing of a former golf pro does he start his crash course in both life and golf.
Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius – 2004
This 2004 film starring Jim Caviezel follows the story of the great Bobby Jones from his humble beginnings as he rose up the ranks to become the best in the world.
However, due to a variety of reasons, mainly having success, he makes a shocking decision right in the middle of his prime as he realizes there is more to life than golf.
Caddyshack II – 1988
While it’s nowhere near being on the same playing field as its predecessor, Caddyshack II is still worth a watch for its endless stream of slapstick hilarity.
Randy Quaid, Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd bring together all the quirkiness we love about the original and added a few new jokes to keep milking the Caddyshack franchise.
