32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

As a lifelong golf enthusiast who has spent countless hours on the green, I must say that “Happy Gilmore” is not just a hilarious movie, but it also captures the spirit of golf in a way that is both entertaining and relatable. The film’s portrayal of Happy’s raw talent and his struggle to tame it while navigating the stuffy world of professional golf resonates with many who have ever felt out of place in a sport they love.


Without a doubt, Happy Gilmore is among Adam Sandler’s most hilarious creations and stars in one of the top ’90s films. However, when it comes to golf knowledge, there’s some room for debate about how much he truly knows. Despite delivering countless laughs, iconic one-liners, and defeating one of the decade’s most ruthless movie antagonists, our protagonist in “Happy Gilmore” was apparently clueless about golf etiquette. Prepare to hit the fairway as we present 32 instances showcasing his lack of knowledge on the greens.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Iconic Swing Is Great But Totally Not Right

For approximately three decades, golfers from various ages and skill levels have attempted to mimic Happy Gilmore’s unique swing technique. However, this unconventional style of play, despite its undeniable cool factor, contradicts most golf lessons. Yet, given its suitability to his character, it’s hard not to admire it too much.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Fought Bob Barker

In contrast to the casual and amusing nature usually associated with celebrity golf tournaments, the scene where Happy Gilmore teams up with Bob Barker in one of the film’s wildest moments is anything but relaxed. However, engaging in a fight against an elderly man, especially when you end up losing, doesn’t align well with the rules of golf.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Time He Attacked A Heckler In The Crowd

This isn’t referring to the amusing heckler portrayed by Joe Flaherty in “Happy Gilmore,” but rather the unlucky spectator who chuckled at Happy’s missed putts during the Waterbury Open. The hockey-style brawl goes against everything that golf represents, yet it still appears quite exhilarating.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Big Check Incident

In the early part of the film “Happy Gilmore“, there’s a particularly amusing scene where Happy mistakenly believes he’ll receive a check for participating in the AT&T Invitational, but instead learns it will be mailed to him. The humor intensifies when we discover his desire was for one of those oversized checks, which plays a crucial role later in the movie.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Being Confused By His Young Caddy

It’s amusing to see Happy Gilmore, the unconventional golfer, accuse his young caddy (portrayed by Jared Van Snellenberg) of stealing his grandfather’s clubs during the Waterbury Open, despite the fact that he himself had only recently taken up golf.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Not Bringing A Caddy On The Tour

Upon joining the golf tour, Happy Gilmore discovers he needs to personally select a caddy rather than being assigned one. The person he chooses is none other than Otto, the man seen wiping windshields in the parking lot (Allen Covert).

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Retrieving His Own Ball From The Lake

As a daring golfer like Happy Gilmore, if I happen to whack my ball into one of those water hazards on the golf course, I’d typically have to take a one-stroke penalty and fish out a new one from my bag. But not our man Happy! Nope, he’d leap into the lake, grab his ball, and complete the round soaking wet. Yet, even with his unorthodox approach, he still ends up with that one-stroke penalty.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Took Out The Gator That Took Chubb’s Hand

It seems there’s an unspoken convention against golfers interrupting their game to engage in a skirmish with an alligator, even if they have personal reasons for doing so. For instance, Happy often takes matters into his own hands to avenge the alligator that once took Chubb’s hand long ago. However, diving into the water, physically grappling with such a large reptile, and ultimately killing it likely won’t win approval from the golf tour or the Federal Communications Commission due to the numerous complaints they might receive.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Donning A Hockey Jersey And T-Shirts Instead Of Proper Attire

It’s tough to picture Happy Gilmore in anything other than a worn Boston Bruins jersey or ragged T-shirt, as these aren’t typical golfing attire. However, despite his unique appearance, Happy still manages to look quite stylish and cool while playing golf on the course.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Started Hustling At The Driving Range

It seems that everyone enjoys a successful venture, doesn’t it? Prior to discovering about the tour and the substantial earnings, Happy attempted to prevent his grandmother’s house from being seized by the IRS through hustling people at the driving range. Was he trying to make some money with an impressive 400-yard drive? Absolutely. However, this method was viewed as less than favorable by the golf enthusiasts who prioritize tradition.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The ‘Why Didn’t You Just Go Home?’ Putting Incident

In the film “Happy Gilmore,” the intense exchange over why he didn’t just go home instead of playing golf is undeniably one of the most memorable golf scenes ever. However, it likely wouldn’t be the most effective strategy for a professional golfer. Still, it certainly added thrill to the AT&T Invitational and created an unforgettable moment in movie history.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Throwing The Putting Green Flag Like A Javelin

During the final part of the AT&T Invitational scene in Happy Gilmore, it’s as if one blunder after another in golf etiquette unfolds, comically. In the thick of these mishaps, there’s a quick yet side-splitting instance where Happy removes the putting green flag and hurls it like a javelin, coming close to hitting an ESPN cameraman.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Time He Destroyed The Mini Golf Course

After persistently obstructing Happy’s shots on the mini golf course, the clown earned that reaction. However, his subsequent tantrum, leading to significant property damage, gave the hot-headed golfer an uncanny resemblance to Adam Sandler’s character from Anger Management.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Meltdown At The AT&T Invitational

You know how you can make a series of strong language more impactful? By adding in beeps, that’s exactly what occurs when Happy becomes frustrated following several missed putts on the golf course.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Time He Rode His Club Like A Bull

Joy isn’t just contained on the putting green for Happy; he sometimes finds it hard to suppress his exuberance, leading to some unconventional moves with his clubs and causing quite a spectacle among those nearby. A clear example is the “riding the bull” celebration, where Happy treats his club like a rodeo animal and gallops around the hole while leaping for joy.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

And Then There’s The Autograph Scene

The movie Happy Gilmore seemed to foreshadow the wildness of golf crowds in subsequent years, yet nothing quite compares to Tiger Woods autographing women’s bare chests, an act that may have been done by John Daly off-camera, but never on camera as depicted in Happy Gilmore.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Tried To Fight Shooter McGavin

Apart from wagering seriously against Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) during the Tour Championship, Happy also attempts to engage in a physical altercation with him earlier in the film. However, a shattered beer bottle – quite dramatic and visually appealing, especially in a golf course bar setting – may not be the most prudent action for professional golfers.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

It Looks Awesome, But The Hockey Stick Putter Isn’t Legal, Right?

Among the numerous types of putters available, none seem quite like the one used by Happy Gilmore – an unconventional design inspired by ice hockey, which was given to him by Chubbs. You might wonder if it’s even allowed in the game.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Threw His Putter Toward His Caddy

Instead of merely launching golf balls an impressive 400 yards, Happy Gilmore often exhibits an impulsive tendency to hurl his clubs as well. A notable instance of this behavior occurs during the climactic tournament round, where a fed-up Happy chucks his putter towards the spectators. However, who was there to intercept it? None other than Otto.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

And Then There’s The Time He Took Like A Hundred Swings And Threw A Rock In The Water

Towards the film’s climax, Happy’s slide into insanity is quite an amusing spectacle (despite the unnecessary scenes of fantastical rages). One particularly hilarious outburst occurs when Happy repeatedly attempts to hit the ball but misses every time, culminating in him angrily pounding his club onto the ground and tossing a stone into the water.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Celebratory Run Through The Crowd At The Tour Championship

It’s unclear if any official regulations prohibit golfers from charging through spectators during a major tournament, but it’s likely viewed as inappropriate by traditional golf enthusiasts. However, Happy Gilmore doesn’t conform to that norm since he manages to excite the crowd in an amusing yet impressive manner in the Tour Championship, as depicted in a memorable scene.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Time He Tossed The Ball Into The Crowd Like A Foul Ball At A Baseball Game

As the film Happy Gilmore progresses, the audiences become increasingly boisterous, resembling what you’d expect at a minor league baseball game on discount hot dog night. And unlike some occasions, Happy doesn’t attempt to quell their fervor; like when he chucked a golf ball over a group of men, who had “Happy Rules” written all over them.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Time He Made Fun Of Another Golfer’s Clothes

In the scene, Happy Gilmore teases the golfer ahead of him, focusing on his unusual attire. Granted, the outfit was questionable and anyone with good taste would have advised against it, but golf has always been about elegance. Or so it once was.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Not Knowing About The Golden Jacket

It’s understandable that Happy Gilmore, having no prior experience with golf since he only encountered it after meeting Chubbs, might be unaware of the customary golden jacket awarded to the Tour Championship winner. This fact merely underscores the fact that the former hockey player was completely clueless about the game he would soon conquer without any prior knowledge.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Showing Up To The Tour Welcoming Dinner In An AC/DC Shirt

At the gathering preceding the AT&T Invitational, everyone else donned golden jackets except Shooter. However, Happy Gilmore arrived in an AC/DC t-shirt and worn-out jeans – not as a deliberate act of defiance, but simply because that was his choice of attire for that day.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

The Batting Cage Incident

Although this story isn’t directly related to golf, it’s so fascinating that I can’t ignore it. Prior to crossing paths with Chubbs and altering the course of his life, Happy prepares for hockey trials (which are approximately a year away) in an unusual way. He positions himself in front of a pitching machine, which hurls fastballs at top speed, as if he were facing a real pitcher on the ice rink. However, please refrain from attempting such actions at home.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Kissing The Tour’s PR Manager On The 18th Hole

Absolutely, Happy and Virginia Venit (portrayed by Julie Bowen) share a romantic moment in the film earlier, but it’s questionable if their public display of affection is suitable for the tour’s PR manager and a golf star known for controversy to indulge in, especially on the 18th green immediately following his victory.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Though Probably Against The Rules, The Final Putt At The Tour Championship Is So Awesome

Moments before Happy was about to secure his win and the coveted golden jacket, an overenthusiastic crowd brought down scaffolding on the 18th hole, leaving the daring golfer no choice but to devise an unusual strategy to outplay Shooter. The audacious shot resembled a Rube Goldberg machine rather than traditional golf play, and while it might not pass muster with tournament management, its quirky coolness fits perfectly in this amusing sports comedy.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Sending An Angry Mob To Catch Shooter McGavin

As soon as Happy believed he had resolved his issues with Shooter, the petulant Shooter steals his competitor’s championship jacket. This act triggers an enraged crowd, including Richard Kiel’s character, to chase after him. Such actions seem certain to get him expelled from the tour and landed in prison.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Hit A Golf Ball Towards A House, Not Once But Three Times

In the beginning of that movie, when Happy first unleashes his power swing on the ball, it’s an absolutely thrilling moment for me. Yet, continuously whacking balls towards the same house, which undoubtedly disrupts the homeowners, clearly breaches several golfing courtesies. Despite this, it remains hilarious throughout.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

Yeah, It Was The Crowd, But Happy Turns The Tour Into A Traveling Party/Freak Show

Indeed, it seems like the crowds are transforming golf tournaments into roving festivities or unusual spectacles, yet one must wonder who instigated this change? Ah, that would be Happy. Although their actions deviate from tradition, they undeniably add an exciting element to these events.

32 Times Happy Gilmore Proved He Knows Nothing About Golf Etiquette

When He Didn’t Know A 400-Yard Drive Was ‘Unbelievable’

In the classic golf film, Happy was initially unaware about golf’s standards, as when he hit the ball an astonishing 400 yards, he didn’t know whether that was impressive or not. However, let me tell you, Happy, it wasn’t just impressive, it was completely mind-blowing!

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2024-11-17 17:38