Opinion & Analysis
Golf Movie Madness: What’s the best golf film ever?
In the spirit of a certain collegiate sporting event that occurs during the third month of the year (which will unfortunately not be occurring this year), we’re presenting a bracket of our own and allowing you to determine the winners via a series of polls.
We’ll leave voting open for 48 hours for the first eight matchups. At that time, we’ll determine the winners and matchups for the next four matches. We’d say the “final four” matches, but that might be met with a cease and desist letter…
The movies and seeding were determined by a contentious round-table discussion among the WRX staff (via Zoom meeting, naturally), and Editor-in-Chief Ben Alberstadt was tasked with composing the thoroughly amateur bracket in Google Sheets. He did not disappoint with respect to the amateurishness. (Note: the inclusion of Caddyshack in the featured image does not necessarily mean GolfWRX is biased toward that particular Brian Doyle-Murray, Harold Ramis, and Doug Kenney-written masterpiece)
Game 1
Tin Cup
Roy McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a washed-up golf pro now turned instructor who falls for his latest pupil (Rene Russo) who just happens to be the girlfriend of PGA Tour great and enemy of McAvoy, David Simms (Don Johnson). Embarrassed by Simms at an exhibition, McAvoy decides to return to the game and make a run at the U.S. Open.
Bagger Vance
Rannulph Junuh (Matt Damon), whose life and career has been turned upside down after World War 1, is brought in to play a high stakes match at Adele Invergordon’s (Charlize Theron) family golf course. Struggling with his game, Junuh meets the mysterious caddie Bagger Vance (Will Smith) – who changes his path of destiny.
Who wins game 1?
- Tin Cup (75%, 2,165 Votes)
- The Legend of Bagger Vance (25%, 732 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,897
Loading ...Game 2
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Working-class immigrant Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) in employed as a caddie at the exclusive Brookline Country Club where he works on his game in his off-time. Fighting class boundaries, Ouimet enters the 1913 U.S. Open where he competes against his childhood hero Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane).
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius
Based on the real-life of Bobby Jones (Jim Caviezel), who while winning events left, right and center, must lean on his wife Mary (Claire Forlani) to control his intense persona and to balance his life on and off the course.
Who wins game 2?
- The Greatest Game Ever Played (78%, 2,188 Votes)
- Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (22%, 618 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,806
Loading ...Game 3
Happy Gilmore
Ice Hockey wannabe Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) finds he has a talent for golf and in learning that his grandmother (Frances Bay) is on the verge of losing her house he joins a tournament to win the money for her. Disrupting the applecart with his foulmouth and unorthodox approach, and armed with a big drive but poor putting, Gilmore must take down his greatest foe Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald).
Dead Solid Perfect
Kenny Lee (Randy Quaid) is a talented underachiever who learns about life and himself as he travels the country, struggling to turn pro and enter the U.S. Open.
Who wins game 3?
- Happy Gilmore (76%, 2,165 Votes)
- Dead Solid Perfect (24%, 697 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,862
Loading ...Game 4
Caddyshack
Danny Noonan (Michael O’Keefe) works as a caddie at an exclusive golf club in an effort to fund his education. Eccentric club members, a gopher running riot and all-out chaos ensue in this golf film classic which features the likes of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield.
A Gentleman’s Game
Timmy Price (Mason Gamble) is a 12-year-old boy who caddies at an exclusive country club who learns about life as he sees the seismic divide in wealth and class between the members who frequent the club and the staff members.
Who wins game 4?
- Caddyshack (95%, 2,726 Votes)
- A Gentleman's Game (5%, 145 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,871
Loading ...
Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.
Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.
First, meet Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.
Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter
The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.
Third, meet Martin Kaymer
Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.
Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler
Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.
Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger
Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!
On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.
I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.
To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.
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Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s
5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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R2D2
Mar 20, 2020 at 10:36 pm
Seven Days in Utopia wasn’t terrible..
Boyo
Mar 20, 2020 at 2:43 pm
“We’re all gonna get laid!”
Rich Douglas
Mar 20, 2020 at 10:06 am
Where’s Caddyshack II?
ken
Mar 20, 2020 at 11:16 am
Caddtshack II, A movie that should never have been made
Rich Douglas
Mar 20, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Sarcasm-impaired, huh? Too bad.
Michaele
Mar 20, 2020 at 2:53 pm
In the bottom of the toilet.
Dttruman
Mar 20, 2020 at 9:40 am
What about “Follow the Sun”, about Ben Hogan, You got a story in there about Bobby Jones?
Old tom
Mar 20, 2020 at 9:07 am
Where is Tommy’s Honour?
Dan
Mar 20, 2020 at 8:52 am
This poll lost all credibility when I see HG has move votes than DSP
For those who haven’t seen Dead Solid Perfect: https://youtu.be/TrVPsofkko4
Nick
Mar 20, 2020 at 9:05 am
Came here to say this. If you don’t vote for DSP you’re a cop.
TommyV
Mar 20, 2020 at 2:51 pm
Thanks for the link, had never seen it before. Tried to buy it a few years back and couldn’t find it for sale.
Russell Ziskey
Mar 21, 2020 at 9:08 pm
OMG I have been looking for this movie for nearly 30 years. I almost bought a VHS copy in like 2005 that was going for $70 so I could rip it to a digital format, but would have then needed to find a VCR!
That’s for the link – an unbelievable public service u have performed!!!
pat
Mar 20, 2020 at 8:50 am
People should try to see “Dead Solid Perfect”, a true golf movie, before voting. Also agree, a tough draw against “Happy Gilmore” which most everyone has seen. Glad DSP was included in poll so that many will now be aware of this undiscovered gem. Thanks for including it.
GhostofKenGreen
Mar 19, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Dead solid perfect ! Happy Gilmore is the game improvement iron of golf movies.
Steve Cantwell
Mar 20, 2020 at 12:26 am
Excellent metaphor (?)!
MikeB
Mar 20, 2020 at 11:04 am
Dead Solid Perfect hands down!! Those who didn’t vote for DSP, never saw it. IMHO, better than Tin Cup. Case in point, at any US Open, when will a 3w, into a green, back up and go into the water? Multiple times.
Happy Gilmore was entertaining, but not really a true golf movie.
Seeing nothing is on, The Golf Channel needs to get Dead Solid Perfect on the air, some how, some way. Just buy the rights, ESPN has the money.
Steve Cantwell
Mar 19, 2020 at 8:55 pm
Happy Gilmore is not a golf movie. It’s a comedy that uses golf as a backdrop. Dead solid perfect is by far a much better movie. Sadly, it had no chance against Adam Sandler.
Jason
Mar 19, 2020 at 7:46 pm
Dead Solid Prefect is a great “golf” movie. It’s actually one of those movies that should be remade.
Will o'the Glen
Mar 19, 2020 at 3:42 pm
“A Gentleman’s Game” is a nice little movie that maybe 20 people have ever seen, most of them related to Tom Coyne, the author of the book is its based on. I liked it, and I even own a copy on DVD. Tough, tough 1st-round draw against “Caddyshack”.
“Dead Solid Perfect” is a pale, pale shadow of the classic Dan Jenkins book, and also got a very tough draw, against a movie that I personally don’t care for, “Happy Gilmore”.
Smith
Mar 19, 2020 at 3:31 pm
Tin Cup and Happy Gilmore is going to be tight!
Paulo
Mar 19, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Why go through all this. There’s only one winner , “ooooh billie billie “
TG65
Mar 19, 2020 at 6:06 pm
I’ve sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn’t want to do it… felt I owed it to them.
NormW
Mar 20, 2020 at 8:42 pm
Toss up between that and The Greatest Game…….