5 Best Golf Movies to Binge

These are such strange times.  So strange that it doesn’t seem quite right to blog about fantastic golf vacations or great golf clothing.  Frankly, it all seems very inconsequential right now.  The reality is that none of us are traveling and, I suspect consumer spending on discretionary items is way down.

Having regrouped, I was chatting with some girlfriends about the positive things we can talk about — the first being what great golf movies we can now binge with all our free time.  Looking for a nice distraction, here are the 5 best golf movies to binge, again and again.

1. CADDYSHACK

In my opinion, one of the all time great movies is Caddyshack.  It’s one I can watch over and over and still laugh at all the crazy scenes.  Released in 1980, it has proven itself to be a time-honored classic.

I love Chevy Chase as the charismatic and cool Ty Webb, Ted Knight as Judge Smails and Rodney Dangerfield as Al Czervik, Judge Smails’ nemisis.

But really, Bill Murray as the kooky Carl Spackler, is the most iconic character in the golf world.  There are so many great lines from this movie.  So many in fact, that you can’t help saying them or hearing them when playing your own round.  Na na na na na na na…

Here is some trivia about this movie: the scene in which Murray and Chase appear together is the only one in any movie…ever!  Want more trivia, check this out.

2.  TIN CUP

Who doesn’t like looking at a dashing young Kevin Costner and Rene Russo?  Throw in a younger Don Johnson and hilarious Cheech Marin and you have another great classic movie on your hands.

How many times can you watch (and relive) the missed golf shot(s) in the water on the 18th hole by the reckless Roy McAvoy (Costner)?  As cringeworthy as it is, I can still watch it over and over.

3.  THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED

This is a fabulous movie that came out in 2005 and if you haven’t watched it, do so today!

It’s a very entertaining biographical sports film based on the early life of golf champion Francis Ouimet.  It stars Shia LeBeouf as a young Francis.  The movie was actually adapted from Mark Frost’s book, The Greatest Game Ever Played:  Harry Vardon, Francis Ouimet, and the Birth of Modern Golf.

Not to give too much away, The Greatest Game Ever Played is about Francis Ouimet who was the first amateur to win the U.S. Open, during a time when amateur golf was a sport only for the wealthy, which Francis was not.

4.  THE LEGEND OF BAGGAR VANCE

I always remembered that Will Smith was awesome and starred in this movie, but I had forgotten that Charlize Theron was in this movie until I started researching the details.  Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and Will Smith are among the many stars in this movie directed by Robert Redford in 2000.

The Legend of Baggar Vance takes place during the Great Depression wherein a Georgia socialite announces a high stakes match at her family’s struggling golf course.  A once promising local golfer (Matt Damon), who’s life got derailed by by WWI, is brought in to play alongside the stars.  Unfortunately, his game is weak until Baggar Vance (Will Smith) arrives to help coach him back to being a great golfer.  This movie is super entertaining and a must-see.

5.  HAPPY GILMORE

Don ‘t try this at home!

Last, but not least, there’s good old Happy Gilmore.  This is Adam Sandler in one his funniest roles ever.  Adam actually co-wrote this movie — who knew?

Adam plays an unsuccessful ice hockey player (Happy Gilmore) who discovers a talent for golf.  After a series of unfortunate events, Happy discovers that his unorthodox golf talent may actually help resolve some of his problems.  Long story short, Happy Gilmore will keep you entertained for a few hours.

All of these movies are available thru Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and iTunes.  Happy viewing!