Top 10 Golf Movies
Comedy Classics, Period Pieces & Feature Docs
On the heels of Memorial Day weekend, the summer has unofficially begun. That means more golf, more movies and more memories.
Being a golf fan and movie lover, I thought it would be fun to kick off this new adventure with my Top 10 Golf Movies, merging these two passions.
You will find a diverse collection below, with some of the obvious choices joining a combination of classics, period and documentary selections. All picks include their standard summary, trailer and a link to a page with links to streaming platforms where you can watch each title.
I Hope these movies inspire more golf for you in the coming weeks.
#10 - The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
A golf drama based on the true story of the 1913 US Open, where 20-year-old Francis Ouimet defeated his idol, 1900 US Open champion, Englishman, Harry Vardon.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#9 - The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
A down-and-out golfer attempts to recover his game and his life with help from a mystical caddy. This was based on a best selling book, one of the best in the genre; and while the movie didn’t quite meet expectations, it’s still worth the watch.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#8 - Happy Gilmore (1996)
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#7 - Pat and Mike (1952)
Pat Pemberton is a brilliant athlete, except when her domineering fiance is around. The ladies golf championship is in her reach until she gets flustered by his presence at the final holes. He wants them to get married and forget the whole thing, but she cannot give up on herself that easily. She enlists the help of Mike Conovan, a slightly shady sports promoter. Together they face mobsters, a jealous boxer, and a growing mutual attraction.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#6 - Tin Cup (1996)
An unreachable shot to the green. A hopeless romance. Driving-range pro Roy McAvoy can't resist an impossible challenge. Each is what he calls a defining moment. You define it. Or it defines you. With lady-killer charm and a game that can make par with garden tools, Costner rejoins Bull Durham filmmaker Ron Shelton for another funny tale of the games people play. For Costner's Roy, golf is a head-and heart-game. On both counts, that's where shrink Molly Griswold comes in. She's big city, Roy's small time, and he believes only the grandest of gestures can lure her away from a slick touring pro and earn her love. So Roy and his dutiful caddy set out to do the impossible: win the U.S. Open. With laughs, clever battle-of-the-sexes banter and a handy way with a 7-iron, Tin Cup winningly defines the moment and contemporary romantic comedy
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#5 - The Short Game (2013)
Netflix's first original documentary, The Short Game, follows the lives of a handful of the best 7-year old golfers in the world as they train for and compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#4 - Tommy’s Honour (2017)
In every generation, a torch passes from father to son. And that timeless dynamic is the beating heart of Tommy's Honour - an intimate, powerfully moving tale of the real-life founders of the modern game of golf.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#3 - Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk (2019)
Centuries old and enjoyed by millions, golf is more than a sport. Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk explores the bond between golfer and caddie. Featuring never before seen stories, Loopers is an account of golf like you've never seen before.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#2 - Phantom of the Open (2021)
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN follows Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance), a dreamer and unrelenting optimist who managed to gain entry to The British Open Golf Championship Qualifying in 1976 and subsequently shot the worst round in Open history, becoming a folk hero in the process.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
#1 - Caddyshack (1980)
Danny Noonan, a teen down on his luck, works as a caddy at the snob-infested Bushwood Country Club to raise money for his college education. In an attempt to gain votes for a college scholarship reserved for caddies, Noonan volunteers to caddy for a prominent and influential club member. Meanwhile, Danny struggles to prepare for the high pressure Caddy Day golf tournament while absorbing New Age advice from wealthy golf guru Ty Webb.
To learn more and see where to watch, click here.
So there you have it. You may have seen most of these, but my guess is it’s time to revisit one or more. Or try something new. Father’s Day is just around the corner. Another great chance to share golf and cinema.
There are a few other decent golf movies out there, but this is Top 10 Golf:) For more choices, you can see The 14 Best Golf Movies, Ranked on SlashFilm or watch Golf24’s 15 MUST WATCH Golf Movies on their YouTube channel.
Until next time, hit em straight.