8 Of The Best Golf Films

An iconic scene in the movie Happy Gilmore (Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Fergus Bisset

published 25 March 2020

Here’s a look at eight of the best golf films ever made, from the hilarious to the inspiring to the emotional.

8 Of The Best Golf Films

Ty Webb: Played by Chevy Chase, he’s the super-wealthy son of one of Bushwood’s founders.

He’s a superb golfer but only measures himself against other players by height.

Briefly owns a sloop, plays golf with Dr Beeper, uncle of Spalding and… this is important… He NEVER slices.

Al Czervik – Played by Rodney Dangerfield, he’s a real estate developer who has an eye on buying Bushwood.

Carl Spackler – Bill Murray plays the assistant greenkeeper at Bushwood.

He’s developed his own type of grass, has a pathological hatred for gophers and lives in a shed.

In an effort to win back his grandma’s house he, reluctantly, embarks on a career as a pro golfer.

It’s a great mix of dramatic recreations and archive footage and it does the great man justice.

Kevin Kostner plays Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, a former prodigy who ends up running a driving range.

Sorry – spoiler alert above….

Adapted from the excellent book by Mark Frost, the film describes the events leading up to and during Francis Ouimet’s incredible 1913 U.S. Open victory.

Tommy’s Honour

Based on Kevin Cook’s book of the same name, this film tells the tragic story of Young Tom Morris and his legendary father Old Tom.

Hilarious “mockumentary” by ClubProGuy where over a full half hour, he and others describe an incredible run on the Mexican mini tour back in 1998 when he made eight, yes eight straight pars!

If you haven’t seen it, watch it, it’s very, very funny.

Going back in time a bit for this one but it’s something of a gem that’s worth discovering.

Released in 1951, it’s a fictionalisation of the life of Ben Hogan, telling the story of his horrific car crash in 1949 and heroic efforts to bounce back to win the 1950 U.S. Open.

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?