Golf is a sport you either love or don’t. There isn’t a lot of in between when it comes to the sport, largely because it isn’t that fast moving, doesn’t have any heavy-hitting, and despite being a spectator sport, is known more for its skill than the adrenaline rush that other sports are so widely known to produce. But golf is a gentleman’s, and a ladies, game, and is distinguished above many others in that it is in fact one of the only sports that promotes almost sheer skill versus anything else. Those that play the game are not always the most refined however, especially in film.
Here are our picks for the top five fictional golfers in movies
Danny Noonan – Caddyshack
Nooonan! He’s not much a well-known character to many newcomers to cinema, but back in the day Danny Noonan was, well, he was still not as well known. Thanks to his role in Caddyshack the character of Danny Noonan became well known to those that watched the movie and those that thoroughly enjoyed it. His antics in the film weren’t always as memorable as the film itself, but he did add another level to a golf film that would have otherwise been a giant game between Chevy Chase and Bill Murray to see who could upstage the other.
Shooter McGavin – Happy Gilmore
Yes, he’s a jerk. Yes, he’s the antagonist, and yes, he is without a doubt one of the most hated fictional golfers of all time? Why you ask? Well that’s simple, he’s a great golfer and he knows it, but he hasn’t a shred of humility to his name in this film. Also, he’s entirely focused upon making sure Happy Gilmore is made as miserable as possible to get his point across that the working man’s golfer is simply not good enough to be featured in the PGA tournament. Despite not wanting to cheer at the misfortune of another person, many fans were actually quite happy when Shooter was heard catching a beating off screen.
Ty Webb – Caddyshack
Stop thinking, and be the ball. Caddyshack gains two entries on this list simply because it features some of the most iconic characters in the history of golf movies. Ty Webb is among the elite few that can be called truly gifted. Despite being kind of a goof ball and almost completely choking when the stakes get serious, he’s still the greatest golf guru that has ever graced the big screen. His off the wall stories and aloof manner almost made people forget they were watching a golf movie at times, which was probably why he was the film’s biggest draw, and the reason he had to come back for the ill-fated sequel.
Happy Gilmore – Happy Gilmore
Like Caddyshack this film gets two entries because it would seem a sin to mention one of the golfers within the film and neglect the other. Think about it, how many people can say, in a fictional context, that they went toe to toe with BOB BARKER and lost? Admit it, if you’ve ever tried to golf after seeing this movie then you’ve likely tried the Gilmore swing, or at least contemplated it. It’s okay, there’s no shame in it.
Roy McAvoy – Tin Cup
Kevin Costner seems to be inherently great at movies in which he’s playing a sports icon. Fantasy not so much, but sports, oh yes. It’s no doubt his carefree and devil may care attitude that gets him by, but whatever it is he shines as an athlete and seems to bring a new life into the sport of golf that, much like Happy Gilmore, defies the more conventional beliefs of the sport. It’s also just entertaining to watch him play a round of golf with garden tools.
Conclusion
For those that think golf is a boring sport these films could possibly be entertaining enough to give a person hope that it might be a little different;. Just keep in mind that golf in real life is not quite as zany as this on a regular basis.
Other notables:
Randy Quaid in Dead Solid Perfect and we refuse to talk about Matt Damon in Legend of Bagger Vance due to his atrocious a swing.
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