Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Today marks National Golf Day! Now, when you think of sports movies, golf doesn’t necessarily come to mind over football, baseball, and basketball. But that doesn’t mean amazing, hilarious, and exciting movies haven’t taken place on the links. To celebrate, here are five movies about the gentleman’s game of tight knickers, putters, and flying balls.
'Caddyshack' (1980)
Caddyshack gave us so much more than a movie about golf. Thanks to Bill Murray we now forever scoff when we see grubby gophers (not that they were anybody’s favorite animal anyway). Because of Rodney Dangerfield, when someone snottily asks, “So?” we instantly reply with, “So? So let’s dance!” Or whenever we’re subjected to swimming in a public pool, we’re always on the lookout for dooty. Caddyshack was a cultural phenomenon thirty years ago that still resonates just as much now, making it not only the greatest golf movie, but an essential comedy. [Where to stream Caddyshack]
'Tin Cup' (1996)
Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Cheech Marin, and Don Johnson all in one movie? What more could you want! Kevin Costner pays Roy McAvoy (not to be confused with the real-life golfer, Rory McIlroy or Jeff Daniels character Will McAvoy on The Newsroom), a beer-guzzling, golf sensation who could make something of himself if only he got off his couch and took a step outside his trailer every now and then. Leave it to a no-nonsense lass, Dr. Molly Griswold (Rene Russo) to bring out the best in Roy. [Where to stream Tin Cup]
'Happy Gilmore' (1996)
Arguably Adam Sandler’s funniest movie, but without a doubt, the most off-the-wall golf movie ever. You have late Bond villain Richard Kiel as Mr. Larson, Happy’s (Sandler) old boss who has a nail stuck in his head, Julie Bowen somehow looking older than she does now, and Bob Barker getting punched in the face. Oh yeah, there’s some golf involved too. Happy is a wannabe hockey player, who gets discovered by retired golf coach, Chubbs, as natural talent not on the ice, but on the green. [Where to stream Happy Gilmore]
'The Greatest Game Ever Played' (2005)
Not to be confused with the Biblical The Greatest Story Ever Told. This golf journey follows prodigy Francis Ouimet, (Shia LaBeouf still a shining face of Disney) who is now known as the “Father of Amateur Golf,” during his struggling rise to professional status. Directed by Bill Paxton and starring Stephen Dillaine. [Where to stream The Greatest Game Ever Played]
'Seven Days in Utopia' (2011)
Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) feels he’s failed as a pro golfer and flees from everything he knows, only to find himself stranded in remote Utopia, Texas. Despite it’s name, Utopia is a friendly, welcoming place and Luke meets rancher, Johnny Crawford (Robert Duvall) who shows the youngster what really matters in life. [Where to stream Seven Days in Utopia]
