32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

As a long-time golf enthusiast and movie buff, I must say that these scenes truly embody the spirit of golf on the silver screen. From the hilarious antics of Starsky & Hutch to the historical depth of Tommy’s Honour, each scene offers a unique perspective on the game we all love so dearly.


Movie scenes featuring golf are enjoyable for both golf enthusiasts and those who aren’t familiar with the sport. They can be hilarious or moving, making it clear why they have been a favorite choice among filmmakers. Indeed, some of the most memorable golf scenes ever depicted in Hollywood.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Caddyshack Flowers

The narrative revolves around a young groundskeeper, on the verge of tears, as if anticipating his victory at the Masters Golf Championship. However, it’s not quite that; instead, it’s Bill Murray portraying one of his most memorable roles in the movie “Caddyshack,” where he’s seen tending flowers near the clubhouse. He weaves a fictional tale about himself triumphantly winning the golf tournament of the highest esteem. The ball has dropped into the hole!

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Goldfinger Gold Bar

In the Bond series, James Bond rarely plays golf, but in the standout film _Goldfinger_, he engages in a round with the main antagonist, wagering gold bars and employing some cunning strategies to combat Goldfinger’s cheating tactics.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Tin Cup 7 Iron

As a golf enthusiast myself, I must say that among all the movies about this sport, “Tin Cup” stands out, particularly for those of us who are everyday working-class players. One unforgettable scene involves Kevin Costner’s character, an ex-pro grappling with his past, wagering with Don Johnson’s character over a 7 iron contest. The twist? Johnson would supposedly not be able to outdrive Costner. But here’s the kicker: Johnson triumphs by sending the ball skimming down a paved road, bouncing endlessly. Quite a spectacle!

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Bagger Vance’s Advice

In simpler terms, although “The Legend of Bagger Vance” may not be a flawless film overall, it offers some truly captivating scenes for golf enthusiasts. The most impressive moment undoubtedly comes when the caddy, Bagger (played by Will Smith), attempts to reassure his golfer (Matt Damon) and elucidates the reasons behind the greatness of Bobby Jones.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Happy Gilmore Wants The Ball In Its Home

In 1996, the release of “Happy Gilmore” instantly made it a timeless golf masterpiece. There’s no doubt that one frequently heard quote from any golf course comes from the scene where Happy (Adam Sandler), growing increasingly frustrated, keeps yelling about the ball not going into “its intended destination.”

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Space Jam Golf Scene

Envisioning a game with Bill Murray, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Wayne Knight from Seinfeld? It would be an unforgettable mix of fun and laughter! Interestingly, this scenario is portrayed in ‘Space Jam’, but it’s not the game itself that grabs all the attention; instead, it’s Bill Murray’s quirky umbrella hat that steals the show.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

I Love You, Man Disaster

In the film “I Love You, Man,” one particularly hilarious scene is the golfing sequence. For Sydney (played by Jason Segel), this scene is a series of mishaps, given his numerous misfortunes throughout the movie. On the other hand, for Peter (Paul Rudd) and Zooey (Rashida Jones), it’s almost a flawless afternoon.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Borat Learning To Play

In “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Sacha Baron Cohen’s iconic character endeavors to master the art of golf, an endeavor that is likely to be cringeworthy for viewers unfamiliar with the film. Despite being awkward and uncomfortable for those involved, Borat seems to find it amusing. The unfortunate golf instructor was taken aback when Borat struggled to grasp the basic concept of holding a club. To make matters worse, Borat even made a scene by chasing after his lost ball on the driving range.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Huge Bet In The Thomas Crown Affair 

In the film “The Thomas Crown Affair,” Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) performs everything with an intense flair. Notably, when he wagers $100,000 on a single shot from a sand trap during golf, his focus remains undimmed. Unlike traditional golf wear like plaid pants and unattractive hats, Crown opts for sleek all-black golfing attire that exudes sophistication.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Smails Slices One Off In Caddyshack

On golf courses, it’s often Caddyshack (the movie) that’s most frequently referenced. A common wager among players is if someone will slice their ball during a drive, thanks to the film. In one memorable scene, Al (Rodney Dangerfield) wagers with Smails (Ted Knight) that he’ll slice his shot into the woods. Although Smails declines the bet, he indeed slices it. One of Dangerfield’s lines from this movie, “you can owe me!”, remains iconic to this day.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Lining Up The Drive In Lost In Translation

Bill Murray is famously passionate about golf, as demonstrated in the tranquil golf scene from the movie “Lost in Translation.” In this scene, Murray’s character moves silently through his golf routine, with Mount Fuji serving as an iconic backdrop. The dialogue-free sequence showcases Murray driving a ball into the distance, emphasizing that a memorable golf scene doesn’t necessarily require a famous Bill Murray line.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Nicky Playing Golf In Casino

As a golf enthusiast, I’ve noticed that this sport appeals to people from all walks of life, even those in less conventional circles like gangsters. In Martin Scorsese’s film, “Casino,” there’s an iconic scene where Nicky (played by Joe Pesci) uses golf to irritate the federal agents shadowing him. The game continues until the surveillance plane, trying to track Nicky, runs out of fuel and lands smack in the middle of the course.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Sideways

Golfing can stir up a great deal of feelings. In the movie ‘Sideways’, Paul Giamatti’s character’s frustration escalates into fury when he attempts to retaliate against the players in front of him by aiming his ball at them. However, it’s important not to let anger take over while golfing, as we can all understand the urge.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Guys In Swingers Aren’t Very Good

In a golf scene that many can identify with, the characters played by Ron Livingston and Jon Favreau struggle mightily on an ordinary golf course, resulting in exceptionally high scores. Contrary to typical preppy stereotypes, they are casually dressed, merely passing the time with an affordable game of poorly executed golf. Isn’t this a familiar scenario for most of us?

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Tin Cup Going In The Drink

If you don’t manage to succeed at first attempt, keep persisting, keep trying, and don’t give up. The film “Tin Cup” illustrates this perfectly as its protagonist (Kevin Costner) continually attempts but fails to hit the ball over the water. This is a feeling all golfers can empathize with. Often, our emotions take control, and when they do on the course, it usually leads to unpleasant results.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Caddyshack II Crazy Obstacles

In the past, ESPN aired an advertisement asking PGA tour caddies to identify the best and worst movies about caddies. Consistently, they responded that the original “Caddyshack” was the best, while the sequel, “Caddyshack 2,” was considered the worst. Despite being a poorly made film, it’s hard not to laugh a bit when the golf course transforms into something resembling a mini-golf course, complete with obstacles and all, albeit on a full-size scale. Indeed, it’s an absurd concept, but that’s understandable.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Katharine Hepburn & Howard Hughes Play Golf In The Aviator

In the golf scenes of “The Aviator,” golf is not prominently featured; instead, it serves to highlight the contrast between Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and her vibrant spirit versus Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his apparent lack of vitality. It could be seen as a symbolic representation of golf mirroring life, but in essence, it’s an impactful moment within the movie itself.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Navy SEALs Blow Off Some Steam

In the ’90s, the action movie “Navy SEALs” stood out as exceptionally extravagant for its time, thanks largely to its star-studded cast featuring Charlie Sheen and Michael Biehn. Without their presence, this film might have ended up in the lower-tier category of movies much earlier. One particularly amusing scene involves a wild round of golf where the SEAL team behaves like unruly children on the course, making for an entertaining watch.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Be The Ball

In the movie ‘Caddyshack’, Ty Webb, portrayed by Chevy Chase, suggests that one should play golf as if they are the ball itself. This is easier for Webb to do, even with a blindfold on, but when his caddie Danny attempts it, he often ends up in trouble, like hitting the ball into the water or onto one of Webb’s three lumberyards.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Breaking Windows In The Addams Family

In The Addams Family, it wouldn’t be typical for Gomez Addams to be an avid golfer, yet there’s a memorable scene where Raul Julia’s character is on the roof of his house using the entire neighborhood as his personal golf course. He even smashes a ball through his neighbor’s window. This kind of behavior is certainly strange, but then again, isn’t that just par for the Addams course?

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Greatest Game Of The Bishop’s Life

When one is a dedicated golfer, they place faith in divine intervention to provide them with outstanding performance on the green. In the movie ‘Caddyshack’, it seems that the bishop believed God would grant him his finest round ever and break the course record. However, he misses his final putt, followed by a lightning strike. It’s time for reflection and penance.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Price Is Wrong

1. Golf’s Celebrity-Pro events are quite famous. Pair a well-known celebrity who’s passionate about golf with a professional golfer, and watch the fun unfold. There’s usually plenty of humor and some questionable swings involved. In the movie Happy Gilmore, things take an unexpected turn when TV personality Bob Barker from The Price is Right gets paired with Happy. Their brawl has gone down as a classic cinematic moment.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Tin Cup Billiards Putting

Occasionally, you might give a go at taking a pool shot instead of putting, similar to the everyday golfer scenarios shown in ‘Tin Cup’. These instances are common experiences for golfers, happening more than just occasionally, unless they only play once per round. However, it doesn’t contribute to the official score.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Thugs On The Course In Enter the Dragon

In the film “Enter the Dragon,” the golf scene isn’t particularly memorable, but we felt compelled to include it because a Hong Kong Kung Fu movie is an unusual setting for a golf scene. The game concludes when Han’s henchmen locate Roper and bring it to an end.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Starsky & Hutch & Snoop Caddy

In the golf scene from Starsky & Hutch, rather than focusing on the game itself, it showcases camaraderie. Here, Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn) is not just any caddy, but Snoop Dogg takes up that role. That’s the kind of caddy we all dream about having.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Old Billy Baroo

In a humorous scene from Caddyshack, Ted Knight delivers one of the film’s standout lines as he emotionally begs his putter for assistance in winning. If not for its comedic aspect when he reveals the “old Billy Baroo,” the scene might seem unsettling. Fortunately, the appeal proves effective, and he successfully sinks the putt, even though it wasn’t enough to secure the victory in the match.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Everything In Tommy’s Honour

The film, Tommy’s Honour, isn’t primarily focused on a single scene; rather, it delves into the enchanting idea of golf in Scotland, its roots, and the two pioneers of the sport, “Old” Tom Morris and “Young” Tom Morris. These individuals were not only a father and son but also the top golfers of their time during the late 19th Century in Scotland. Their relationship was complex, yet they significantly impacted the development of the game. This movie is highly recommended for anyone captivated by the historical aspects of golf.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

There’s Something About Mary’s Range

In the film “There’s Something About Mary,” Matt Dillon portrays an inept detective who is captivated by Mary (Cameron Diaz). It’s worth noting that everyone in the movie seems drawn towards Mary. For Dillon’s character, this allure becomes apparent when he stands beside her on a golf range, watching as she effortlessly sends balls flying across it. To be honest, Diaz’s golf swing isn’t the poorest we’ve ever witnessed in a film, but it doesn’t seem like she’s as skilled as she appears to be.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Pros From Dover

In the “golf scene” of MASH, even though golf isn’t actually played, it remains a memorable moment. Hawkeye (Donald Sutherland) and Trapper John (Elliott Gould), in their clever scheme to go to Tokyo for a round of golf, arrange a surgery there instead. They storm into the hospital, brandishing their golf clubs, and make absurd requests. They are known as the “pros from Dover,” and they require the surgery to be performed swiftly so they can dash off to the golf course without delay.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

The Short Game

Despite being a documentary about golf, we felt compelled to incorporate “The Short Game“. Golf documentaries usually induce boredom, even for ardent enthusiasts of the sport. However, “The Short Game” deviates from this norm, offering an incredibly engaging and at times unsettling glimpse into the realm of competitive youth golf. This film serves as a critical analysis of youth sports in general, prompting viewers to question whether or not parents are making the right decisions for their children.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Go Back To Your Shanties

In the film “Happy Gilmore,” it’s apparent that when Happy joins the golf tour, he introduces a fresh crowd of fans to the sport. These fans, to put it mildly, aren’t the usual golf enthusiasts. The character Shoot McGavin (played by Christopher McDonald) is particularly irked by their presence and doesn’t hesitate to express his displeasure, telling them bluntly, “I want you all to go back to your trailers.” That must have stung, as they didn’t take kindly to him either.

32 Of The Best Golf Scenes In Hollywood History

Smails’ Winter Rules

A common action that golfers may have resorted to and might not be proud of is subtly moving the ball for a better position, which is often referred to as improving one’s lie. Judge Smails in the movie “Caddyshack” openly acknowledges this practice, labeling it his “winter rules,” even during summer. While we understand his perspective, it doesn’t make the action right.

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2024-07-31 23:10