10 best and worst golf movies of all time, ranked from 'Happy Gilmore' to 'Caddyshack'

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"Caddyshack" or "Happy Gilmore?"That really is the debate when it comes to the greatest golf movie of all time. How many rounds of golf have you played without a one-liner from either — or both — movies? These two films are among the most-quotable sports movies of all time — and that will be revisited with the 2025 release of "Happy Gilmore 2". It has to be better than "Caddyshack 2" right?  Now, we switch to golf. There are other classic golf movies — including "Tin Cup" — which might be the third-most quoted movie on a golf course. Sporting News took a look at some of those golf movies, but documentaries were not included. How does this compare to our list of auto-racing movies, which we released earlier this summer?Using Rotten Tomatoes — we totaled the points those movies had with the Tomatometer and Popcornmeter as a gauge, but this is still our list. Did "Caddyshack" or "Happy Gilmore" land at the top of the lists? MORE: Is Happy Gilmore's shot legal according to the USGA rulebook?10. 'Bobby Jones: Stroke Of Genius' (2004)Jim Caviezel plays the legendary golfer in this sports biopic, which shows how Jones was able to win all four majors in a single season. Despite a strong cast and plot line, the film was a bit of a commercial bust in the early 2000s. MORE: Ranking the 5 toughest golf courses in U.S. Open history9. 'The Legend of Bagger Vance' (2000) This movie was made when Matt Damon, Will Smith and Charlize Theron were at the top of their games, and Damon plays an aspiring golfer named Rannulph Junah who gets help from Smith as Bagger Vance. He plays in a fictional match against Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. This Robert Redford-directed film is a sports fantasy movie — and it was well received at the time. MORE: Breaking down the differences between links golf and regular golf8. 'From the Rough' (2014) This movie is based on the true story of Tennessee State golf coach Catana Starks and her journey as the first African American men's golf coach at the collegiate level. It fits the script as a feel-good sports movie and stars Taraji P. Henson and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. MORE: Everything to know about the Masters Green Jacket7. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' (2005) Disney. Shia LeBeouf. Based on the true story of Francis Ouimet. This fits the class of inspirational golf films, too, and was nominated by the ESPYs for best sports film, which "Glory Road" won. LeBeouf delivered a convincing performance as Ouimet in this movie. MORE: Inside how to qualify for the U.S. Open6. 'Pat and Mike' (1952) Katharine Hepburn plays Pat Pemberton, and Spencer Tracy plays Mike Conovan in a romantic comedy. Hepburn is Pat Pemberton, a star golfer and tennis player who falls for Conovan as the movie progresses. Hepburn was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the movie. MORE: Scottie Scheffler family tree, including wife Meredith and son Bennett5. 'The Caddy' (1953) This comedy starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis followed up on the success of "Pat and Mike" the following year. It's one of the buddy comedies of the era, and Donna Reed also co-stars in this movie. Martin — the legendary singer from the "Rat Pack" — debuted "That's Amore" in the movie. The song that climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts and has been featured in several other movies to this day. MORE: How Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns met as teens and grew into close friends4. 'The Phantom of the Open' (2022) This is the highest-rated golf movie on Rotten Tomatoes' scale. It tells the story of Maurice Flicroft, the British golfer who shot a 121 in the 1976 British Open. Mark Rylance stars in this comedy that has high ratings, but it does not quite resonate with the American crowd like the next three films on this list. MORE: Complete list of every British Open winner by year3. 'Tin Cup' (1996) Kevin Costner plays hot-tempered Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy, who takes one last shot at qualifying for the U.S. Open, where he is pitted against his college roommate David Simms, a PGA star played by Don Johnson. Rene Russo forms a love triangle, and Cheech Marin is the caddy. This is a witty romantic comedy with convincing performances all around: "When a defining moment comes along, you define the moment or the moment defines you.MORE: Why is the Masters always played at Augusta National?2. 'Happy Gilmore' (1996)Where else can you watch Bob Barker throw a nasty right cross on a golf course? Sandler plays Happy Gilmore, the washed-up hockey player with the long drive who wants to save his grandma's house, but he needs to learn how to putt first. Shooter McGavin, played by Christopher McDonald, is arguably the most-iconic sports movie villain of all time. Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers, Frances Bay, Ben Stiller,  Kevin Nealon and the infamous alligator are the supporting cast, and it delivers so many quick-hitting one-liners along the way. Which one is your favorite? MORE: Ranking the 14 best quotes from 'Happy Gilmore'1. 'Caddyshack' (1980)It hits from the first few notes of "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins. Michael O'Keefe is Danny Noonan, the caddy who encounters a hilarious cast of characters played by Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, Ted Knight and the gopher at the Bushwood Country Club. It's hilarious from start to finish, and it's impossible to pick the best performance among the bunch.MORE: Complete list of every U.S. Open winner by yearWhat is the worst golf movie of all time?"Caddyshack II" had an all-star cast with Jackie Mason, Robert Stack, Randy Quaid, Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase, but it was nowhere near as successful as the original. Rolling Stone ranked "Caddyshack II" at No. 36 in its list of the "Top 50 Most Disappointing Movie Sequels Of All Time" in 2024. MORE: Highest scores to win the U.S. Open in historyWhen is 'Happy Gilmore 2' available on Netflix?"Happy Gilmore 2" will be available to watch on Netflix on Friday, July 25. Adam Sandler will reprise his role as Happy Gilmore, and Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller also return for the sequel. Sandler's real-life daughter Sunny also is featured in the movie. MORE: How to buy a $500 limited edition Happy Gilmore hockey stick putter replicaGolf movie ratings (Rotten Tomatoes)Here is how the movies on this list scored according to the Rotten Tomatoes scales — the tomatometer and popcornmeter. We combined the totals on those 10 movies: MOVIEYEARTOMATOPOPCORNTOTAL"The Phantom of the Open"20228687173"Caddyshack"19807387170"The Caddy"19538375158"Pat and Mike"19528568153"Happy Gilmore"19966385148"The Greatest Game Every Played'20056282144"Tin Cup"19967465139"The Legend of Bagger Vance"20004365108"Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius"2004276289"From the Rough"201407171MORE: Everything to know about the British Open Claret Jug trophy