Tour News

Analyze this: Padraig Harrington’s Happy Gilmore long drive swing

Published

12 years ago

Aug 6, 2014

Ben Alberstadt

The return of the long drive competition at the PGA Championship Tuesday was notable for few reasons.

Bubba Watson was a spoilsport and refused to participate.
Jack Nicklaus’ long drive from the 1963 competition with a persimmon driver and balata ball (341 yards, 17 inches) would have won this year’s competition.
South African Louis Oosthuizen won the contest with a 340-yard poke.
Padraig Harrington didn’t crack the top five, which included Jason Day (338 yards), Jason Kokrak (337 yards), Gary Woodland (330 yards), and Rickie Fowler (328 yards). The Irishman did, however, do an excellent rendition of the Happy Gilmore golf swing, which you can see below.
The drive, as you can see, was pulled and ended up in the rough. Thus it wasn’t eligible for the contest, which stipulated that qualifying drives must find the fairway.

My question for golf swing enthusiasts is, “What do you think of Harrington’s swing?”

[youtube id=”BEbg7pw5Mco” width=”600″ height=”360″]

And here’s Rory McIlroy doing the Gilmore a few years ago.

[youtube id=”XUXNooDIWN8″ width=”600″ height=”360″]

And Happy himself…

[youtube id=”VyydT8dy3Hs” width=”600″ height=”360″]

Related Topics:

Up Next

No signs of pain, but Tiger struggles in Round 1 of the PGA Championship

Don't Miss

Tiger arrives at the PGA Championship: How long will he last?

Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

7 Comments

MHendon

Aug 7, 2014 at 11:57 am

I’d love to know the weather and course conditions in 1963. Bet it was down hill, down wind, and firm.

Reply Report comment
Jeff

Aug 6, 2014 at 8:18 pm

No one cares Russ

Reply Report comment
- JB
  
  Aug 7, 2014 at 6:03 am
  
  Hahaha
  
  Reply Report comment
nikkyd

Aug 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm

Paddy actually honed that gilmore swing a few years ago when they did a special on golf on that sport science show. Even though paddy took a run at the ball, for the moment that counts, his swing looks like his ordinary swing

Reply Report comment
Russ

Aug 6, 2014 at 4:05 pm

I have been doing the Happy Gilmore for YEARS, even was fortunate enough to do it in front of Paul Azinger at a convention (322 on the launch monitor). My normal swing speed is 103-105. I have gotten up to 114. the challenge is catching it on the sweet spot. Won a lot of side bets with this swing…. former Raidernut1234 here…

Reply Report comment
- Russ
  
  Aug 6, 2014 at 4:14 pm
  
  And I will go on record and say I do it Better than Padraig and more consistent. I have even done it in a Club invitational event,had the pro check and it’s legal. Icemkr is a witness if he still posts on here…
  
  Reply Report comment
Joe

Aug 6, 2014 at 4:03 pm

Padraig is the best at the ” Happy Gilmore” check out these pros having fun with the swing, Phil’s swing is a classic at the end.
http://deadspin.com/heres-a-bunch-of-pro-golfers-giving-the-happy-gilmore-779654796

Reply Report comment

Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.