Savvy deal-spotting readers who grabbed themselves a special Sky Sports Golf Pass from Now TV still have plenty of top action to look forward to with The Open, which gets underway next week, and Ryder Cup in September.
To help get fans in the mood ahead of next week’s action from Carnoustie, we take a look at some of the top golfing movies:
Caddyshack
Probably topping every list is Harold Ramis and Brian Doyle Murray’s (Animal House and Meatballs) 1980 comedy inspired by the writers’ experiences of working as a country club caddy.
Bill Murray steals the show in an often chaotic film that also stars Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight and Michael O’Keefe.
ESPN has hailed the film as one of the funniest sports movies of all time, an accolade no-one would even consider awarding to the disappointing 1988 sequel.
Dead Solid Perfect
Based on the novel of the same name by Dan Jenkins and starring Randy Quaid, the film follows a struggling PGA player as he aims for success.
Produced by HBO, the film has never been released on DVD despite its popularity with golf fans and players – it’s reportedly one of PGA champion John Daly’s favourite films.
While you can’t buy the film, the soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, is available on CD.
The Caddy
The oldest film in our list is this 1953 Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedy in which the duo are joined by real-world golf pros Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Julius Boros.
Lewis plays Harvey Miller who wants to follow in his famous golf pro father’s footsteps but us is afraid of crowds. Instead, he follows his fiancée’s advice becomes a golf instructor with her brother Joe (Martin) becoming his first client.
Joe becomes good enough to start playing in tournaments, with Harvey tagging along as his caddie.
The film a marks the first performance of Martin’s That’s Amore which went on to become one of the star’s signature songs and a massive hit.
Tommy’s Honour
Based on Kevin Cook’s widely acclaimed history of golfing pioneer Old Tom Morris and son Tommy, this 2016 film stars Peter Mullen and Jack Lowden and was directed by former Robin of Sherwood actor Jason Connery.
Widely praised on release, the film won Best Feature Film at the 2016 BAFTA Scotland Awards.
Rounding out the cast are Ophelia Lovibond as Tommy’s wife Meg and Sam Neill as R&A captain Alexander Boothby.
The Greatest Game Ever Played
This 2005 film is based on the early life of golf champion Francis Ouimet, who in 1913 became the first amateur golfer ever to win the US Open, as well as being the first non-British captain of the R&A in St Andrews.
Ouimet is played by Shia LaBeouf who heads a cast that also includes Stephen Dillane and Stephen Marcus.
Adapted by Mark Frost from his book, the film is basically your classic underdog makes good sporting tale but director Bill Paxton infuses it with enough emotion and class to lift it above the average.
If our round-up and Sky’s summer of golf coverage have inspired you to head out for a few rounds, Function 18 are offering savings on top brands and have even compiled a look book to ensure your outfit is as stylish as your swing.
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