Golf Courses in Movies: 7 Iconic Locations You'll Recognize

The connection between golf and film is timeless. Both demand focus, patience, and rhythm, and when they merge, they create some of the most memorable visual stories ever told. Through humor, rivalry, or triumph, filmmakers have transformed golf courses into cinematic battlegrounds and emotional arenas - places where characters chase not only birdies but also redemption.

In this post, we explore seven iconic golf courses in movies that have left a mark on both cinema and the sport itself. From Caddyshack’s manic laughter to Tin Cup’s bittersweet heroism, each of these legendary films captured the soul of the game - and you can still play many of these courses today.

Film-friendly golf courses possess specific characteristics that make them ideal for cinematic storytelling. The visual appeal of golf course locations starts with their natural beauty - rolling hills, strategic water features, mature trees, and dramatic elevation changes create stunning compositions that require minimal enhancement. Directors and cinematographers seek golf courses with cinematic qualities that offer diverse shooting angles and natural lighting opportunities throughout the day.

Beyond aesthetics, movie-ready golf facilities need practical considerations. Accessibility for large film crews, equipment trucks, and temporary structures is essential. The course must accommodate filming schedules that might disrupt normal play, requiring cooperation from management and members. Golf course movie production often involves weeks of preparation, including establishing base camps, running power cables, and setting up elaborate lighting rigs that transform daytime scenes into magic hour perfection.

The architecture of famous golf courses plays a crucial role in storytelling. Signature holes with distinctive features become memorable scenes that audiences recognize and discuss long after leaving the theater. A dramatic par-3 over water, a treacherous dogleg that demands precision, or a finishing hole with championship pedigree can elevate pivotal moments in a film's narrative arc. Golf course design in movies often mirrors character development - challenges on the course parallel obstacles in the protagonist's journey.

Location also matters significantly. Golf courses near Hollywood or major production centers naturally attract more film projects due to reduced transportation costs and logistical simplicity. However, filmmakers will travel anywhere for the perfect setting, with international golf course filming locations becoming increasingly common as productions seek authentic backdrops. The historical significance of golf courses adds another layer of depth, with venues hosting major championships or featuring classic architecture providing instant credibility and gravitas.

Weather patterns, seasonal considerations, and geographic characteristics all influence golf course movie selection. Southern California's consistent sunshine makes it a favorite for productions requiring reliable conditions, while Scottish links courses offer dramatic coastal settings that evoke golf's ancient origins. The versatility of golf course settings allows a single venue to represent multiple locations through creative camera work and production design, making some facilities particularly valuable to budget-conscious filmmakers.

1. Caddyshack: Bushwood Country Club (Grande Oaks Golf Club)

Let’s start with the most quoted golf comedy ever made - Caddyshack (1980). The film’s fictional Bushwood Country Club came alive at Rolling Hills Golf Club (now Grande Oaks Golf Club) in Davie, Florida.

Its wide fairways, swaying palms, and classic clubhouse were the perfect playground for the movie’s hilarious chaos. Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield brought golf’s quirky culture to life, making it funny, unpredictable, and strangely relatable. While Bushwood Country Club in Caddyshack is presented with exaggerated antics and over-the-top characters, the physical setting of the golf course - filmed at Grande Oaks Golf Club -is fairly accurate to what golfers might find in South Florida. However, the film's depiction of events and atmosphere is heightened for comedic effect, offering a more entertaining than realistic view of golf course life.

Grande Oaks Golf Club still carries that legacy. Though it’s a private course, members and guests often pay homage to the film with themed events and a touch of Caddyshack flair. The course’s precision design - mature oaks, lakes, and subtle elevation - keeps it challenging yet visually cinematic. Classic golf carts, like the ones humorously featured in Caddyshack, remain part of the course’s nostalgic appeal for fans who remember memorable scenes with the club’s golf carts from the movie.

Famous Scene: Carl Spackler (Murray) vs. the mischievous gopher. Country club settings have been featured in numerous TV shows and movies, but few are as iconic as Bushwood Country Club in Caddyshack, filmed at the Grande Oaks Golf Club.

Why It Matters: Caddyshack made golf cool by breaking stereotypes - it celebrated the underdog and turned country club etiquette upside down. Alongside Caddyshack, other notable golf course settings in film and television include the Augusta National Golf Club in The Masters TV broadcasts and the Pebble Beach Golf Links featured in various movies and tournaments, but Bushwood Country Club remains one of the most recognizable due to its memorable comedic legacy.

Fun fact: The gopher puppet wasn’t originally in the script; it was added later for comic relief and became one of the most iconic golf movie characters ever.

Hole19 Tip: Visiting Florida? Track your round and relive movie history using Hole19’s GPS and performance stats.

2. Goldfinger: Stoke Park, England

Few scenes in cinematic history define elegance and rivalry quite like James Bond’s golf match against Auric Goldfinger. In Goldfinger (1964), Sean Connery’s 007 proves that golf isn’t just a game - it’s psychological warfare.

The real setting for that duel was Stoke Park, a heritage golf resort in Buckinghamshire, England. Designed by Harry Colt, it exudes timeless sophistication, making it a natural fit for the world’s smoothest spy.

Bond’s sly ball switch and Goldfinger’s fury created one of the most famous golf movie scenes ever filmed. The lush, tree-lined course was as much a character as the players - representing power, precision, and class.

Today, visitors to Stoke Park can tee off on the same ground where cinema history was made. The resort combines five-star luxury with a championship-level course, offering a real-life Bond experience.

Why It Matters: Goldfinger transformed golf into a stage for tension, intellect, and charm - elements that mirror the strategic beauty of the sport itself.

3. Tin Cup: Kingwood & Tubac Golf Resorts

No list of golf movies is complete without Tin Cup (1996). Kevin Costner’s portrayal of Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy - a talented but self-destructive golfer chasing redemption - remains one of golf cinema’s most beloved tales.

The movie’s action unfolds across two stunning locations: Kingwood Country Club in Texas and Tubac Golf Resort in Arizona. These courses bring to life the dusty resilience and quiet beauty of the American Southwest.

The famous 18th-hole meltdown, where Roy insists on clearing the water hazard “one more time,” perfectly captures golf’s tragic heroism. Every golfer knows that balance between confidence and collapse - which is exactly what makes the scene unforgettable.

Fun Fact: The director used real tournament conditions, bringing in PGA players as extras to create authenticity.

Why It Matters: Tin Cup isn’t just about golf - it’s about courage, stubbornness, and chasing impossible dreams. It made millions of viewers understand the mental side of golf, where ego and ambition often drive the game as much as talent.

4. Happy Gilmore: Swan-e-set Bay Resort & Pitt Meadows Golf Club

When it comes to golf movies that broke the mold, Happy Gilmore (1996) is at the top of the leaderboard. Starring Adam Sandler, the movie turned golf into a contact sport and made millions of fans see the game in a new light - chaotic, hilarious, and full of heart.

The film was shot across British Columbia, mainly at Swan-e-set Bay Resort and Pitt Meadows Golf Club. The breathtaking mountain views and wide fairways perfectly captured the comedic tension of Happy’s wild swing and even wilder temper.

Why It Matters: Happy Gilmore inspired a new generation to pick up a golf club - not because they wanted to be perfect, but because they wanted to have fun. It proved that golf could be both intense and entertaining, blending physical comedy with real skill.

Fun Fact: Adam Sandler’s famous running swing has been recreated in countless charity events, tournaments, and even PGA Tour practice rounds.

Hole19 Tip: Channel your inner Happy and measure your longest drive (minus the hockey stick) using the Hole19 app’s driving distance tracker.

5. The Legend of Bagger Vance: Kiawah Island Golf Resort (South Carolina)

If Happy Gilmore is about humor, The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) is about grace. Directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Charlize Theron, the movie brings spirituality and self-discovery to the fairway.

The film was shot at the stunning Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, a course known for its coastal winds and rolling dunes. Its natural beauty served as the perfect metaphor for the movie’s core message: finding rhythm, not perfection.

The scenes blend golden-hour cinematography with thoughtful dialogue about purpose, patience, and the soul of the game. Bagger Vance’s mentorship of Rannulph Junuh (Damon) mirrors the timeless bond between golfer and course - a balance between control and surrender.

Why It Matters: This film portrayed golf as a mirror to life itself - a mental challenge requiring inner calm. It became a cinematic love letter to the game’s spiritual side.

6. The Greatest Game Ever Played: Kanawaki Golf Club (Montreal)

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005) tells the true story of Francis Ouimet, the amateur golfer who shocked the world by defeating British professionals at the 1913 U.S. Open. Directed by Bill Paxton and starring Shia LaBeouf, it’s a heartfelt underdog tale that every golfer can relate to.

The production recreated the 1913 The Country Club of Brookline in Massachusetts at Kanawaki Golf Club near Montreal, Canada. With its period-accurate design and authentic atmosphere, it perfectly transported audiences to golf’s golden age.

Why It Matters: Beyond its historical accuracy, the movie captures the emotional essence of golf as a great equalizer - where passion, not privilege, determines victory.

Fun Fact: To ensure realism, actors went through golf boot camps led by PGA professionals before filming began.

7. Playing Through: Pebble Beach Golf Links (California)

No course represents cinematic beauty and golf heritage better than Pebble Beach Golf Links. Featured in Playing Through (2022), a biographical drama about African-American golf pioneer Ann Gregory, this course embodies excellence and resilience.

Pebble Beach’s breathtaking cliffs and ocean views have long been a symbol of golf’s grandeur, but its portrayal in Playing Through adds something deeper - the spirit of breaking barriers. The film captures Ann’s determination to play a sport that often excluded her, using Pebble Beach as a backdrop for inclusion, ambition, and history.

Why It Matters: Few golf movies blend beauty and meaning so powerfully. Playing Through isn’t just a sports film; it’s a statement about courage and equality - values that resonate with golfers everywhere.

Fun Fact: Pebble Beach has appeared in multiple films and commercials due to its cinematic coastline and dramatic finishing holes, making it one of Hollywood’s favorite golf backdrops.

Bonus Section: Other Memorable Golf Movie Moments

While the seven films above top most lists, there are dozens of other movies where golf scenes left their mark. From romantic comedies to intense dramas, these moments remind us that golf is a storytelling goldmine.

A fictional tale of rivalry and redemption inspired by Augusta National, this made-for-TV movie showcases how golf’s traditions inspire deep emotion and competition.

Set on a private club course in Maryland, this drama explores class, mentorship, and growing up through golf - a reminder that every fairway holds lessons beyond the sport itself.

A documentary that follows young prodigies competing at Pinehurst, it captures the future of golf with raw honesty and humor.

Each of these stories shows how golf serves as a mirror for human character - from discipline and patience to the pressure of performance.

The Cinematic Side of Golf: Why These Courses Matter

Beyond entertainment, golf courses in movies inspire real-life players. They showcase the artistry of course design, from the manicured greens of Stoke Park to the rugged dunes of Kiawah Island. Watching these films often motivates golfers to explore new destinations and appreciate the game’s beauty on and off the screen.

Each course has its own cinematic personality:

• Grande Oaks brings laughter.

• Stoke Park exudes elegance.

• Kingwood shows perseverance.

• Kiawah Island radiates calm.

• Pebble Beach embodies inspiration.

This diversity mirrors the sport itself - a game that blends discipline, creativity, and humanity.

How Hole19 and CORE Golf Bring Movie Magic to Your Game

Watching golf on screen is inspiring - but living it is better. That’s where Hole19 and CORE Golf step in.

🎯 Hole19 App helps you play smarter rounds on real courses - including many featured in films. Get GPS distances, score tracking, and course maps for over 43,000 courses worldwide. You can even compare your performance hole-by-hole, just like a pro on camera.

🏌️ CORE Golf brings the range to life through performance-based practice. It’s designed for focused improvement - helping you work on drills, track consistency, and measure results. It’s the ideal companion for anyone inspired by Tin Cup’s grit or Bagger Vance’s mindfulness.

Together, these apps bridge golf’s cinematic imagination and real-world experience. You don’t need a film crew - just a passion for the game.

Step Into the Scene

The next time you watch a golf movie, pay attention not just to the story - but to the landscape. Those rolling fairways and glistening greens aren’t just settings; they’re characters, carrying emotion and energy.

From Florida’s Grande Oaks to California’s Pebble Beach, the world’s greatest golf courses have helped cinema tell stories of laughter, courage, and transformation. Each one proves that golf is more than a sport - it’s a stage.

So grab your clubs, open your Hole19 app, and create your own movie-worthy moments out on the course. Because in the world of golf, every round can be a story worth telling.