Best Golf Movies

Golf movies extend far beyond just Happy Gilmore and Caddyshack. Believe it or not, there’s a whole lineup of golf-themed films out there, many of which rival the classics in terms of quality and entertainment. 

We’ve compiled a list of the best golf movies we’ve come across. Take a look and let us know if there are any we might have overlooked.

Follow The Sun (1951)

For any Ben Hogan fan, Follow The Sun is a must-see classic. This biographical film details Hogan’s career and his incredible comeback to win a major championship. Hogan was one of the most dedicated and resilient players the game has ever seen. Canadian Glenn Ford plays Hogan with Anne Baxter as his wife Valerie.

Featured Actors and Actresses: Glenn Ford, Anne Baxter and Dennis O’keefe.

Who It’s For: Any golfer who needs a little inspiration will find it in Hogan’s story.

The Caddy (1953)

Another great golf movie from the 50s starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The Caddy is a humorous and light-hearted look at the game. The movie focuses on the relationship between a golf instructor and his caddy.

Featured Actors and Actresses: Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and Donna Reed.

Who It’s For: If you need a mix of comedy and sport in a film, this one has it. 

Tommy’s Honour (2016)

There’s a lot we have learned about golf’s founding father, Old Tom Morris, through the years. However, the story of Young Tom Morris isn’t as well known. Tommy’s Honour explores this father-and-son relationship and what golf was like in the early days.

Featured Actors: Benjamin Wainwright, Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden.

Who It’s For: Any fan of golf history

Tin Cup (1996)

Tin Cup is a romantic comedy that focuses on the life of a struggling professional golfer, Roy McAvoy. Kevin Costner does a tremendous job in this movie to help us root for the underdog. Tin Cup is a movie you will enjoy whether you play golf or not. However, it holds a special place in the hearts of most golfers.

Featured Actors and Actresses: Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, Don Johnson and Cheech Marin.

Who It’s For: Golfers, non-golfers and Kevin Costner fans.

Caddyshack (1980)

Caddyshack is a cult classic comedy set at high-end Bushwood Country Club. The characters in Caddyshack are memorable, hilarious and entertaining. This movie should come with a warning that you won’t be able to watch it just once.

Featured Actors: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray and Ted Knight.

Who It’s For: Any golfer and anyone who loves to poke fun at the quirks of golf culture. 

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

Francis Ouimet was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open. His story is unique and interesting. The Greatest Game Ever Played depicts what it was like to be the underdog. This is a movie you can watch with the entire family and you’ll fall in love with Ouimet’s young caddie. He could be the best character in the movie. 

Featured Actors: Shia LaBeouf, Stephen Dillane, Elias Koteas and James Paxton.

Who It’s For: If you like historical sports dramas, this is good. 

SEVE: THE MOVIE (2014)

Legendary Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros had a massive following. This biographical drama uses a combination of re-enactments with archival footage to tell the story of his life. Seve had incredible talent and charisma and this film is a fitting tribute to his life. 

Featured Cast: Jose Luis Gutierrez, Jose Navar, Tiger Woods, Gary Player and Nick Faldo.

Who It’s For: Any golfer who enjoyed watching Seve play and any fan of inspirational golf movies. 

Happy Gilmore (1996)

This Adam Sandler comedy imagines the story of a failed hockey player turned golfer. This movie is known for its humor and you don’t need to be a golfer to understand the appeal of Happy Gilmore. Watching this may hurt, not help, your game but it’s a lot of laughs. 

Featured Actors and Actresses: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen and Bob Barker.

Who It’s It For: Happy Gilmore is easy and funny to watch for golfers and non-golfers. 

Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)

Maybe you have caught on to the fact that golf biographical films are quite popular. Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius highlights the triumphs of Jones’s career and personal life. Bobby Jones is the only golfer to win all four major championships in a single season, thus creating the Grand Slam. He’s earned a movie! 

Featured Actors and Actresses: Jim Caviezel, Claire Forlani, Jeremy Northam and Malcom McDowell.

Who It’s For: The movie offers a deep understanding of golf’s traditions and values. It’s great for golf and history enthusiasts.

A Gentleman’s Game (2002)

A Gentleman’s Game is an inspiring film about a golf prodigy who learns a lot as a caddie at an East Coast country club. The movie focuses on life lessons learned throughout the game. We’ve all had golf teach us a thing or two and A Gentleman’s Game will remind you of that. 

Featured Actors: Mason Gamble, Gary Sinise, Philip Baker Hall and Dylan Baker.

Who It’s For: If you want a great personal growth and sportsmanship story, this is it. 

Dead Solid Perfect (1988)

Dead Solid Perfect is another golf movie that flies under the radar. This one is based on a Dan Jenkins’ novel about the life of a golf professional. If you want an inside look at life on the PGA Tour in the 1980s, Dead Solid Perfect has it. There are plenty of ups and downs to life on tour and this film lets you embrace that. 

Featured Actors and Actresses: Randy Quaid, Kathryn Harrold and Jack Warden.

Who It’s For: Golfers intrigued by the PGA Tour and the realities of professional sports

The Short Game (2013)

When Happy Gilmore or Caddyshack has been played on repeat, it’s worth putting on a golf documentary. This story is about seven-year-old golfers at the World Championships. If you think you’ve had pressure on you trying to make a putt to win a match over your friend, The Short Game will make you think otherwise. 

Featured Cast: Amari Avery, Jed Dy and Allan Kournikova

Who It’s For: Kids and adults interested in the world of junior golf 

The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Although The Legend of Bagger Vance never reached the popularity of some other golf movies, putting Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron in a movie is an incredible combination. Legend of Bagger Vance focuses on a mystical caddie who brings a different perspective to the game. 

Featured Cast: Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and Bruce McGill.

Who It’s For: Anyone who enjoys golf, spirituality and a great movie 

Pat and Mike (1952)

We return to the 1950s with this classic romantic comedy Pat and Mike. Katharine Hepburn stars in this film which is about a female athlete who plays golf and tennis. The movie celebrates females in sports and it’s witty and engaging. 

Featured Actors and Actresses: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Aldo Ray.

Who’s It For: Fans of old-school Hollywood and romantic comedies 

Phantom of the Open (2021)

The Phantom of the Open is based on a true story that took place at the 1976 British Open. If you think you must be born into professional golf to make it, you will love this movie. It captures the love we all have for the game regardless of where we started. 

Featured Actors: Mark Rylance, Ian Porter and Tommy Fallon.

Who It’s For: When you need an underdog story, especially a quirky one, Phantom of the Open will do it. 

Other honorable mentions include: Seven Days in Utopia, Swing Away, The Squeeze and Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk.

Let us know what your favorite golf movies are and which ones we left off the list.