We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
Sure, finding seven golf movies proved a little difficult. After a weekend where Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket, and Tiger Woods returned to the Master's after his sex scandal, it's as good a time as any to make a list of the best golf movies. Now, we are only looking at those that tee it up in the modern era. So, no films that come before 1980 are hitting the links with us here. You can shed a tear for Glen Ford and Follow the Sun if you want to. It's your call. I'm bringing a caddy along for this Top 7. Why? Because even though I love the game, I haven't seen two movies of this list. What else is a caddy for, except helping you out of a jam. Introducing caddy Brian Hunt. You'll be glad to know he has an actual handicap lower than mine, and he's even coached a rag-tag group of high school kids onto the golf playoffs. Hmmm... I think that idea would be good enough for No. 6 on our list. Maybe we can get Matt Damon back on the course, after all Hunt thinks he looks like him.
7. Caddyshack 2 (1988)
Recap: The sequel to the 1980 hit comedy classic Caddyshack. Once again, this tells the story of a rich, over-the-top arse (Jackie Mason) who rubs the country-club elitists the wrong way. Reason: Yes, even a terrible film like this can make a list of Top 7 golf movies in the modern era. I know. I'm sad about it too. The director Allan Arkush, never directed a feature film after this, though he's had great success on TV with "Moonlighting," "Ally McBeel" and "Heroes." Here's the basic problem, the first film barely had a script, but it had an amazing cast that played off of each other brilliantly. Jackie Mason is not Rodney Dangerfield. Dan Ankroyd is not Bill Murray. But most importantly, Chery Chase (1988) is not Chevy Chase (1980). Thankfully "Community" is somehow giving us good Chase again. But this film didn't. And no, it's not the worst sequel of all time. Caddyshack 2 can thank Blues Brothers 2000 for that. Wow, Ankroyd's in both. interesting. Plus, both went away from their R rating. Big mistake. Huge.
6. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
Recap: A mystical caddy (Will Smith) comes to town and helps a golf (Matt Damon) recover his swing, and his outlook on life. Reason: You just let out a sigh when you read number six was Bagger didn't you? I can remember seeing this in the theater, and actually cheering for it. Wishing it would improve. After all, Robert Redford directed it, Damon, Smith and Charlize Theron were supposedly at the top of their game. Damon is depressed and Smith talks in riddles. The accents don't help either. What does work? A good golfing threesome, and the look of "seeing the field." Part of the battle with golf is the ability to focus (and repeat) before every shot. This film nails that.
5. The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
Recap: Based on the 1913 U.S. Open where 20-year-old Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) plays against his idol, 1900 U.S. Open Champion, Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane). Reason: (by caddy, Brian Hunt) To be fair, this is a better looking film than Dead Solid Perfect, which sits at No. 4 on this list. Director Bill Paxton used some fancy camerawork to show a different side of the game and Shia LaBeouf was fine, as he usually is. The problem is that it didn't make me feel anything. I was amazed (OK, it made me feel amazed). I'm a golfer and a huge fan of the other emotionally manipulative underdog Disney movies. I wanted this to be great. The Greatest Game Ever Played was just plain boring. Thankfully, Ouimet's 10-year-old caddy made me smile twice, which made the experience a tiny bit memorable and just less than a total waste of time.
4. Dead Solid Perfect (1988)
Recap: A golf pro (Randy Quaid) decides to take a chance on tour, and travels the nation looking to score big on the tour. Reason: (by caddy, Brian Hunt) It's sad that we're only four movies into the TOP 7 and we're already using "made for TV" movies. Dead Solid Perfect was Tin Cup, eight years before Tin Cup came out and did it right. There's a perception that pro golfers have it made--play a game for a few days a week and cash your check. D.S.P. gives you a little insight into the reality of life for most pro golfers and Quaid made me believe it. It's hard. It's lonely. Occasionally there's a naked girl walking the hall back to your hotel room with an ice bucket balanced on her head that will eventually ruin your marriage. That's life on the tour.
3. Happy Gilmore (1996)
Recap: Happy (Adam Sandler) Reason: Forget Sandler for a second, who doesn't love Julie Bowen? From "Ed" to "Modern Family" that girl is money. Golf tournaments need a little shaking up. Why can't fans yell and scream? Plus, I like the idea of a hockey player suddenly dominating golf, even with that unorthodox swing. By the way, Andre Agassi was doing this years before Happy, below is proof. As far as the most quotable moments, Happy Gilmore places second on this list with "The price is wrong, Bob!" "Why don't you go to your home!" and many more.
2. Tin Cup (1996)
Recap: A washed up golf pro (Kevin Costner) tries to win the U.S. Open with the help of his caddy (Cheech Marin). His motivation isn't to be a champion, but simply to win the affections of his rival's girlfriend (Rene Russo). Reason: Every time this film is on TV, I'm sucked in. It's ridiculously rewatchable. The film is perfectly cast. Both Costner and Don Johnson look like they can golf. Russo proves that cougars aren't anything new, and Marin actually makes me laugh. No other movie on the list makes me want to get up and go golfing more than this one. What's my one gripe? Roy 'Tin Cup' McAvoy (great nickname) takes a 3-wood and nails it (eventually) for a very memorable final hole. The problem is, a 3-wood would cause the ball to roll, yet this ball bites (credit jake). Thankfully, the film doesn't bite.
1. Caddyshack (1980)
Recap: Not only does a country club have to deal with a destructive gopher, but now a new member by the name of Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) is here and potentially hurting the sanctity of the club. Reason: Do I have to give you a reason? Really? I can't just say Caddyshack in No. 1, you guys simply nod accordingly, and then that's that? OK, first, Caddyshack is one of the most quotable movies of all time. I'm not just talking golf, sports or comedy ... I'm talking all movies. Chevy Chase and Bill Murray hang out in a scene and improvise, because producers realized they didn't have any scenes with the two big stars. Judge Smails (Ted Knight) might be the funniest guy to hate in a movie ever. Lacey Underall (Cindy Morgan) defines 80s sexy. Let's just end this with some Caddyshack quotes and be done with it, I've got to hit the links. Come along caddy, come along.
- Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're a tremendous slouch. - You're rather attractive for a beautiful girl with a great body. - Hey everybody, we're all gonna get laid. - Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greens keeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a miracle ... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!