The Best Golf Movies & Shows to Binge Watch This Weekend

Golf Movies & Shows

Unlike many other sports genre films, golf movies and shows feature an unusual twist you won’t find in many other sports. Unlike football, baseball, or basketball, the basic premise of golf is man-versus-self rather than man-versus-man. You could also say man-versus-nature, but that may be very literal. Finally, golf is about rising above oneself, and one’s limitations. This can be a tricky subject for filmmakers to translate to the screen at times. However, in the hands of a talented writer and director, it may be a key component in making a picture great. So, today, let’s look at how different filmmakers have approached telling stories centered on this self-centered yet very cinematic habit. Without further ado, we bring to you the ten best shows and movies about golf.

 

Tin Cup

Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a former professional golfer who now runs a driving range. Psychologist Molly Griswold (Rene Russo) wants Roy to teach her, while her boyfriend, pro golfer David Simms (Don Johnson), wants Roy to caddie for him. Roy falls in love with the game again after agreeing to caddie, and the two men are quickly engaged in rivalry in the game and for Molly’s affections. This film strikes the appropriate balance between sports film and romantic comedy, with two pompous golfers striving to outdo each other, terrific chemistry between Costner and Russo, and a memorable and unexpected ending on the final day of the US Open. Tin Cup is arguably many golf fans’ best golf movie and a must-watch for everyone reading this.

 

Loopers: The Caddies Long Walk

You wouldn’t think twice about how vital a caddy is to a professional golfer today. When battling it out on the greens, they’re typically considered the all-knowing guide; however, this wasn’t always the case. Loopers is a documentary on the lengthy and fascinating history of caddies in golf. It includes interviews with a broad spectrum of prominent caddies and golfers, including Bill Murray, a former caddie himself. Looper also takes the opportunity to explain their relationship in the game regarding race, noting that African-American caddies have played an essential role in the position’s history.

 

From the Rough

Coach Carter fans will appreciate From the Rough, which is one of the great golf movies many of you won’t have heard of. The movie is based on a real story and is headlined by Taraji P. Henson as Catana Starks, the first female to manage an all-male NCAA team. She defies the odds and deep-seated prejudice to lead a motley crew of golfers to…well, you will have to watch the film to find out.

Image Source:- FREEPIK – Golf Ball

 

Tee Shot

This documentary covers Ariya Jutanugarn’s path to the LPGA Tour, from kid genius to world No. 1 golfer. It’s a touch cheesy at places, but that’s not a bad thing. If you loved Seve: The Movie or Moneyball, you’ll like this.

 

Happy Gilmore

Happy Gilmore is undoubtedly one of the best golf movies on Netflix and will have you laughing from start to finish. Happy Gilmore’s mother meant everything to him. Happy is saddened when she loses her home to the IRS. While the movers repossess his mother’s belongings, they challenge Happy to a driving competition. Happy receives a $40 prize for three 400-yard drives. This victory inspires Happy to hustle others at the driving range. When club pro-Chubbs Peterson spots Happy, he tells him to compete in a money competition. Winning the tournament earns him a seat on the PGA Tour, but it’s a struggle from there because Happy needs to learn more to compete at a top level. Shooter McGavin rapidly becomes Happy’s adversary as Happy diverts attention away from him. The rest of this movie revolves around the conflict between Happy and Shooter.

 

Full Swing

There are plenty of golf movies on Netflix to keep you entertained, however, some of the docu-series on there are equally as good, which brings us to Full Swing. The series’ objective appears akin to “Break Point,” a recent Netflix venture that showed rising young tennis talent where the significant difficulties were injuries and egos rather than world politics. The plan for “Full Swing” was and still is to devote each episode to a pair of golfers with opposing philosophies, contrasting approaches to the game, or who are on different trajectories in their careers—for example, episode 2 focuses on Brooks Koepka, the No. 1 player in 2018, trying to crawl his way back over a seemingly impossible mental block while Scottie Scheffler blithely cruises to the top of the game.

 

The Greatest Game Ever Played

No golf movie list would be complete without talking about the Greatest Game Ever Played. Golf has had a stigma for catering to the upper class for as long as it has existed. However, that view began to change when Francis Ouimet became the first amateur player to be crowned the US Open champion in what is thought of as one of the game’s greatest shocks. Shia LaBeouf plays Francis, the son of a hardworking, lower-class household, who dreams of becoming a champion in the world of golf. However, he has to overcome a harsh father and the societal standards of the time. But, Francis rises above these challenges and the movie reminds us that greatness is not dependent on our backgrounds but on our skills and determination.

 

The Short Game

This documentary, a personal favorite of mine, follows a few kids on their quest to win the 2012 US Kids Golf World Championship. It’s adorable but demonstrates how tenacious and hardworking these youngsters are. Also, because this documentary was made in 2013, it’s interesting to see where these youngsters are now.

 

The Legend of Bagger Vance

If you’re looking for a good golf movie, look no further than The Legend of Bagger Vance. Some tone-deaf racial politics mar Robert Redford’s magnificent and emotional Depression-era golfing drama. If you can tune out that nagging incorrect note, you’ll find a majestic core here about the love of the game and its metaphorical tie to life itself. Will Smith and Matt Damon also gave strong performances, and this was Jack Lemmon’s final picture. It is based on Steven Pressfield’s 1995 novel of the same name.

 

The Founders

This remarkable documentary follows the efforts of 13 amateur female golfers to establish the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Even though women have been playing golf professionally since at least 1811, when the first professional women’s golf event was staged in Musselburgh, Scotland, the sport is still dominated by men. The Founders is a magnificent tribute to the courageous women who dared to defy convention and show everyone what they were capable of.

Image Source:- FREEPIK – Multiethnic Friends While watching Movie

 

Bottom Line

So, there you have it, folks, ten movies, and shows that will entertain you for hours. Some of these will have you in stitches laughing, some will bring unmatched drama and tension, and others will help tell the story of golf through the ages. Regardless, you will love the above recommendations if you love golf (and even if you don’t).