On July 25, golfers will return to their happy place when Happy Gilmore 2 premiers on Netflix. It’s hard to believe that the original Happy Gilmore movie came out in 1996.
(It’s even harder to believe that 1996 was nearly 30 years ago!)
In just a couple of weeks, we will see how the second chapter of the hockey player-turned-golfer fable unfolds. My guess is that we will see some Happy Gilmore bombs off of the tee and some putts dropped via a hockey stick.
The second part of that sentence is not a guess since I hold in my hands the Happy Gilmore 2 hockey stick putter from Odyssey.
Happy stuck it to Shooter an Odyssey hockey stick putter
One of the fun twists in the first Happy Gilmore film was when Happy finally starts sinking putts with his new hockey stick-shaped putter.
Gilmore’s transition from shouting “Suck my white ass, ball!” after a missed putt to “Happy learned how to putt! Uh-oh!” is one of the most fulfilling golf stories of our time.
Ultimately, the creation of Odyssey’s original Happy Gilmore hockey stick putter ensured that Shooter McGavin would leave the course without the champion’s gold jacket.
By the way, if you want one of the original 1996 Odyssey hockey stick putters, there is one up on eBay right now for $8,000.
If you attended the Waterbury Open in 1996, how can you pass up the chance to own that piece of history?
Happy’s new Odyssey is a modernized stick
Whereas the first Odyssey hockey stick putter had a vintage feel, the new Happy Gilmore 2 putter is all modern in design. It has what appears to be a White Hot insert, an elongated hockey stick-style grip and even some yellow “tape” on the face to improve shot control.
Perhaps Happy is like the rest of us who are now 30 years older and who need a bit more technological assistance to stay competitive.
The black-and-yellow color scheme is a nod to Gilmore’s favorite hockey team, the Boston Bruins.
It’s non-conforming but who cares?
The Odyssey Happy Gilmore 2 putter is non-conforming. If this is something that concerns you, you’ve probably missed the whole point of the release.
This is a fun novelty putter whose release hypes up the release of a new movie about a beloved character.
Unlike every other putter that they make, Odyssey is not expecting you to drop double-breaking 50 footers with this one. (Although that would be cool.)
Remember, Happy Gilmore 2 is a comedy. It’s a lighter take on the sometimes way too uptight world of golf. Not everything these days needs to be serious.
Can you still play the Happy Gilmore 2 putter?
If you are playing in tournaments or keeping a handicap index, you’ll not want to have the Odyssey Happy Gilmore 2 putter in your bag.
Outside of that context, I say you should play whatever makes the game fun.
Here is when I will use this putter. Once a quarter, my weekly “Monday Golf” group puts together a casual afternoon tournament. Everyone brings a six-pack to add to the prize pool, with the winner typically sharing said prize afterward in the parking lot.
Sometimes we play as teams. Oftentimes there are holes where using a specific piece of equipment is required.
For example, we usually have a hole where you must tee off with The Hammer or a par-3 where your tee shot is with a 1-iron. We’ve even required a Happy Gilmore-style drive on a hole once or twice.
Prior to one tournament, one of our regular’s daughters got a hole-in-one on our home course. During our tournament, we tried to repeat her shot while using her very short junior club.
I’m not sure even one of us hit the green …
During our next tournament, there will be a Happy Gilmore putter hole. All putts must be taken with the hockey stick putter. I’m sure the number of putts will be high but the number of laughs will be even higher.
This putter is all about fun. I do wish that the price was not $499.99 as this makes the hockey stick putter more of a collectible than a whimsical novelty. I suppose I will just try and keep it in pristine condition by using its tube sock headcover.
The putter is fun. Hope the film will be, too
Odyssey did a great job of capturing the playful Happy Gilmore feel with this putter. It’s nostalgia on a stick. After seeing it for the first time, I immediately started quoting the film.
Do you remember the scene when Happy’s caddy Otto taught him about Aimpoint?
Happy Gilmore: What do you think? Slightly downhill?
Otto: And slanting left.
Happy Gilmore: No, it only seems that way because you have only one shoe on.
Sequels are rarely as good as the original. I know there are some notable exceptions like The Godfather 2, The Empire Strikes Back and The Dark Knight Rises.
Hopefully, Happy Gilmore 2 will be more like those films than perhaps the worst sequel of all time, Caddyshack 2. With 30 years to write the sequel story, we all hope for Terminator 2: Judgement Day and not Grown Ups 2.
We’ve been quoting the original film for 30 years. How great would it be if we were quoting the second installment 30 years from now?
Regardless, we should all get ready for the Happy Gilmore 2 merchandising machine to infiltrate our feeds over the next few weeks. Netflix has a dedicated Happy Gilmore 2 merchandise page that will be launching soon. Subway has a Happy Gilmore 2 meal deal on the way.
If all of these upcoming releases are as good as the Odyssey Happy Gilmore 2 Hockey Stick putter, then we are in for a cavalcade of treats in our happy places.
Find out more about the Odyssey Happy Gilmore 2 Hockey Stick Putter at Odyssey.CallawayGolf.com
Brisun Depp
11 months ago
How bout a tournament where on every hole you either have to use a 1iron on your 2nd shot or drink a 1iron on that hole. Im assuming everyone knows a 1iron is a Titos, Fresca and a splash of cranberry juice. 1 1iron a hole really adds up, I guess depending on who is making the drink. 18 shots of liquor in 4ish hours is not recommended and I have done it many times.