Posted on Wednesday, 26 July 2017

As a movie genre, the ‘golf flick' has seldom set directors' imaginations alight. Boxing (Rocky, Raging Bull) and baseball (Bull Durham, Field of Dreams) have proved far more fertile ground as movie topics.

But upon careful inspection, golf has indeed produced some entertaining – if not always mind blowing – films. And if you love your golf, you'll probably appreciate this top 10 that little bit more than the average non-golfer.

10. Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius (2004)

American golfing legend Bobby Jones gets the Hollywood treatment in this 2004 film, which focuses on Jones' burning ambition to become a top golfer. He famously completed the Grand Slam of all four key tournaments of his day in 1930.

9. A Gentleman's Game (2001)

This movies centres on a 13 year old boy with a remarkable talent for golf. After becoming a caddy on his local golf course, the lad's father enlists the help of a former golfing pro, played by Gary Sinise, to help him reach the top. Lessons in life as well as golf are given.

8. Seven Days in Utopia (2011)

Another 'taken under the wing' golf drama, this flick tells the tale of pro golfer Luke Chisholm (Lucas Black) who's lost his golfing mojo having suffered an embarrassing tournament defeat. Chisholm makes things worse by driving his car through a fence in Utopia, Texas. It just so happens, however, that the owner of the fence is a former touring golfer, played by Robert Duvall, who, you guessed it, decides to help Chisholm, get his passion back.

7. Dead Solid Perfect (1998)

This one's pretty obscure, despite having been produced by HBO. Yet again, this film tells the story of a golfer (Randy Quaid) who's struggling to attain golfing glory. Does he make it?

6. Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

Another rags-to-riches golf story, the Greatest Game Ever Played dramatises some of golf's key historical moments. Shia Labeouf stars too, making the film a lot cooler than it might otherwise have been.

5. Caddyshack 2 (1998)

With Quaid, Mason, Chase and Aykroyd on board, how could this film fail? Just watch it and see. Actually, if you just give in to the slapstick tomfoolery, it's a something of a chuckle-fest.

4. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Despite the star quality of its actors (Will Smith, Matt Damon), this movie only made back half of its production cost. Still, if you love your golf and have a penchant for underdog tales, give this a shot.

3. Happy Gilmore (1996)

It's not clear why golf proves itself a great vehicle for comedy, but we're glad it does. Happy Gilmore is a case in point and arguably one of Adam Sandler's finest performances. Who could fail to have their sides split by the "running start golf swing", or by the physical altercation between Gilmore and golfing legend Bob Barker, played by himself?

2. Tin Cup (1996)

This film has got everything: comedy, drama, romance, Kevin Costner. It's not exactly Dances with Wolves, but it's still a very entertaining movie. And the balls really start to fly when Rene Russo turns up for a golf lesson.

1. Caddyshack (1980)

You can't get more 'eighties' than this comedy classic. With Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight and Chevy Chase, you're sure to see the funny side – unless you're a gopher.

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