Sideways – 2004
Sideways is a 2004 film directed by Alexander Payne, focusing on how to find and appreciate beauty in life. Actors Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti travel on a golf-and-wine weekend just before Church’s impending wedding. They argue on the fairway while teeing it off at the Alisal Ranch River Course in California’s Santa Ynez Valley. The scuffle delays the trailing foursome, with one hitting the ball into them. In response, Giamatti irons the ball back to them, and a hilarious fight almost erupts on the golf course.
Swingers – 1996
Ron Livingston and John Favreau play a single par 3 hole at the Los Feliz Golf Course in Los Angeles in this 1996 film directed by Doug Liman. As they chat extensively about an ex-girlfriend, family, and a career letdown, Livingston putts to within four feet after asking Favreau to tend the pin on a 12-foot putt, leaving only two more putts to put it away. The funny part is when the duo faces a tough time calculating their scores on the hole, finally throwing in the towel and settling for 8s.
Casino – 1995
We conclude our list with this hilarious 1995 film about Vegas and the mob, starring famed actor Robert DeNiro. Joe Pesci plays the villain alongside his high-profile thug Nicky, while DeNiro partners with low-lying mob pro Frank. DeNiro negotiates his casino operator’s license renewal in one scene with Nevada gaming control board members at his house’s backyard on Las Vegas National Golf Club’s course. He notices Nicky enjoying a round with friends as a small FBI plane experiences engine troubles right ahead, landing squarely on the fairway. Unperturbed, Pesci offers $100 to whoever hits the plane!
Parting Shot
Golf and pop culture share a very deep relationship, as demonstrated by the above-listed entertaining golf scenes from popular movies. Some other films worth checking out include ‘’Call Me Bwana,’’ ‘’The Thomas Crown Affair,’’ “Jackass: The Movie,” and ‘’Happy Gilmore.’’