It’s probably because I have a little more time during the summer months, but movies play a bigger part of my life during the summer months.
More time means more movies and that got me thinking what are the five golf themed movies for me. You know no matter how many times you have seen a specific golf move, there’s a good chance you will turn it on, at least to see where they are in the movie.
I made a list of about 8-10 movies then trimmed it down to my top five, also adding why they made my list.
I do suspect that should you make a list there will certainly by some carryover but there is also probably a movie that doesn’t make mine but has a spot on yours.
And this is a beautiful thing. There is no right or wrong list but rather a suggestion that can provide talking points for a discussion.
Without any more fanfare, here are my top five:
1) Caddyshack (1980): To me, this is the must No. 1 on any list. It’s not the greatest cinematic golf-movie experience but I feel it’s the movie that has influenced the behavior and conversation on golf courses. There are lines in the movie that have become part of golf lingo. I would say there are lines from the movie that are used throughout a round of golf that the younger generation may not know where they came from. How about phrases like “Be the ball,” “No, no, nice shot, right on the beach,” and “Did anyone see where that shot went? Right in the lumberyard.” I hear these almost every time I play a round. They are part of the golf vernacular. My favorite line: Danny Noonan: “I planned to go to law school after I graduated, but it looks like my folks won’t have enough money to put me through college.”
Judge Smails: “Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too.”
2) Tin Cup (1996): The first time I saw the movie, I was disappointed with the ending as we all wanted to see Roy McAvoy win the U.S. Open but after watching a second time, it was the perfect ending. The ending of the movie summed up the main character in one scene. Great job by Cheech as Roy’s caddy, and Kevin Costner for the way he embraced the character, Roy McAvoy. The debate/problem of the movie – I still have a hard time envisioning a three-wood baking up much.
Favorite line: Roy: “If I had it to do all over again, I’d still hit that shot.” Romeo: “Man, you’d bury yourself alive just to prove you could handle the shovel.”
3) Greatest Game Ever Played (2005): Is one of two movies that made this list where I read the book before seeing the movie. And in both cases, the book was much better. Still, knowing it’s based on the 1913 U.S. Open title won by 20-year-old Francis Ouimet, beating British golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the process. Shia LaBeouf did a wonderful job playing Ouimet in the movie that will have you cheering at the end. Favorite line: Lord Northcliffe (noticing Eddie caddying for Francis) “What’s that carrying his bag – a pygmy?”
4) Happy Gilmore (1996): Seriously? This has to be on the list. Really makes fun of the PGA Tour and how the Tour can think too highly of itself. Many of the purist golf fans may not be in love with this movie but I think the vast majority of golfers love this flick. Raise your hand if you have tried the Happy Gilmore swing when you’re on the driving range. Adam Sandler with a Master (pun intended) movie. Favorite line: Shooter – “I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast.” Happy – “You eat pieces of shit for breakfast.”
5) The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000): Another book made into a movie. This one follows the spiritual side of golf as a young man played Matt Damon faces battles in life through the game of golf. The movie is set in 1931 Georgia during the Great Depression, with the big golf match between Rannulph Junuh (Damon), Walter Hagen, and Bobby Jones, a match put in place by Charlize Theron’s character, in a socialite trying to draw attention to her family’s struggling golf resort.
It is the last movie by Jack Lemmon in the last movie was in. He narrated the movie and made an appearance at the end of the movie. In the movie Lemmon’s character Hardy Greaves, the youngster who caddies for Junuh in the match. Hardy is dealing with his dad being a street sweeper in his hometown, an issue that Junuh helps his understand.
Will Smith plays Bagger Vance, a caddy that appears out of nowhere to guide a select golfer through their spiritual journey.
The book/script is based on the Hindu sacred text Bhagavad Gita.
This movie was either loved or hated. It’s the type of movie that is as deep as you want it to be. I loved it but had buddies that did not like it at all.
Favorite line: “Yep… Inside each and every one of us is one true authentic swing… Somethin’ we was born with… Somethin’ that’s ours and ours alone… Somethin’ that can’t be taught to ya or learned… Somethin’ that got to be remembered… Over time the world can, rob us of that swing… It get buried inside us under all our would’as and could’as and should’as… Some folk even forget what their swing was like.” Bagger Vance to Rannulph Junuh.
By Dennis Miller