The Top 9 Funniest Golf Scenes from Movies and TV

By Jackelyn Crawford

The PGA Tour is considered to be the pinnacle of golf entertainment, but sometimes it's more fun to watch the kind of golf game where it's okay for spectators to express themselves beyond whispers and conservative applause. For the kind of golf-viewing that encourages raucous laughter, it's best to look to Hollywood. Here are nine of the funniest hole-in-one golf scenes from the big screen. (Note: Please view clips at your discretion as some may contain offensive language.)

Happy Gilmore

It's almost impossible to decide on a favourite scene from this classic Adam Sandler movie that depicts (somewhat accurately) what happens when an aggressive hockey player leaves the rink and takes to the links. Happy's behaviour, as he stalks around pristine PGA courses in a Bruins jersey swearing like a drunken sailor, is endlessly shocking and entertaining. Perhaps he's at his finest when he sucker punches golf partner Bob Barker and gets back more than he bargained for.

Caddyshack

Told from a caddy's-eye view, this dark comedy about the strange goings on at Bushwood Country Club is worth watching for Rodney Dangerfield's grotesque one-liners and Bill Murray's pathetically fruitless pursuit of the tenacious (and utterly fake-looking) course gopher. Yet it's Chevy Chase as the quirky, gifted golfer Ty Webb that makes for the most memorable scene, when he shows off his amazing putting skills to Danny Noonan, using a variety of backwards, barefoot and cue-stick-inspired techniques to sink one ball after another.

The Simpsons

During the Simpsons' brief stint at Springfield Country Club (season 7, episode 14 - Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield), Marge goes to all lengths to impress the members, but Homer stays true to himself on the golf course, belting out his signature "Woohoo!" as he drives his ball, decked head to toe in argyle. Mr. Burns sets him up for the perfect golf-related Homerism when he tells him to get his ball out of the sand trap using an open-faced club - the sand wedge, sending him into a drooling food fantasy about an open-faced club sandwich.

Tin Cup

When Tin Cup (Kevin Costner) challenges David Simms to a bet over who can shoot further with a 7 iron, the PGA superstar (played by Don Johnson) tricks him by sending his ball bouncing down the road. Though it's usually more fun to hate Don Johnson's character in this film, the scene warrants him some respect for his clever methods of bet-winning. Plus, it's chuckle-worthy.

Modern Family

It's an upset of brunch-ruining proportions when Jay finds out his famous hole-in-one was actually kicked in by a bored, teenage Mitch trying to speed up his dad's golf game (season 3, episode 16 - Virgin Territory). Jay is further embarrassed at the country club, when a well-intentioned Mitch accidentally spills the beans about the fake ace to Jay's friends. The incident is a humbling experience for Jay, who had even gone as far as printing his club moniker Ace on a hat and robe, and now has to answer to club staff asking him "What's your real name anyway?" (Clip not available.)

Sideways

A round in California's lush wine country only becomes fun for an irritable Paul Giamatti when another group of golfers begin to shoot balls at him and Thomas Haden Church. The pair happily fires back at the enemy, and Church takes a running attack at their golf cart, howling like an animal with his club a-swinging.

Seinfeld

Leave it to Kramer to take golf to new levels of absurdity in The Marine Biologist episode (season 5, episode 14), when he shoots 2,000 Titleist golf balls into the ocean at the expense of one poor whale. The fish (mammal, whatever) lucks out when George Costanza, posing marine biologist and aspiring fake architect, somehow removes the golf ball obstructing its blow hole. The moral of the story - sometimes it pays off to be creative in your pursuit of a hole-in-one.

There's Something About Mary

Only a character as flawless as Mary could maintain a smooth golf swing while being distracted by a meathead like Detective Healy throwing out lame and laughable pick up lines at the driving range. Mary executes each drive effortlessly, managing to ignore Healy's requests for tips, and excuses that he hasn't "swung at the wrenches" in a while. She only ever shows she's slightly annoyed when she tells Healy not to talk in her backswing, further highlighting her perfection against his idiocy. (Clip not available.)

Entourage

It's always amusing to see Ari worked up, or better yet, struggle to keep his cool on the course as he gets heckled by old-man producer Bob Ryan, who vehemently hates him, and loses thousands per flubbed hole to Alan Grey, the studio head he's trying to hustle (season 5, episode 6 - ReDOMption). The hustling doesn't pan out as well as he hoped, especially since Grey is playing with golf pro Phil Mickelson by his side. It's fun to watch Ari waver on the brink of a conniption during the game, especially when Bob yells "Miss it, you scumbag!" right into his swing.