Par 3: MORE Golf Movies That Just Completely Nail It
It's Par 3 time!
Golf is a game of patience, passion, and perseverance. While other movies have touched on the game, these deal with issues and lessons to which golfers at every level can relate. Here is this weeks Par 3:
Tin Cup (1996)
Twenty-seven years have passed since the mid-90s release and Tin Cup remains one of the most beloved golf movies ever made.
Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy (Kevin Costner) is a driving range pro who just simply HAS to take the risky shot, on and off the course, even when it costs him everything.
I love this movie because it clearly captures why golfers fall in love with the game. We all know the feeling of ignoring the “smart play” because the other one calls your name.
This game isn’t always about winning. It’s about chasing the one shot that always keeps you coming back for more.
Why you should watch: Tin Cup celebrates the human side of the game and the risk of following your heart.
Is it reckless? Yes.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)
If Tin Cup is about recklessness, The Greatest Game Ever Played is about belief.
This true story follows Francis Ouimet (Shia LaBeouf) who has found himself playing in the U.S. Open champion versus Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane).
The year is 1913 and golf is still very much considered to be for the country club elite only.
The U.S. Open is down to Harry “The Stylist” Vardon. Six-time Open Champion. Member of the Great Triumvirate.
And, Ouimet, a working class kid from New Jersey who would need a miracle to win.
The stakes are high and the question is posed: is golf really for the elite or anyone brave enough to pick up a club?
The outcome of this game could forever change golf’s image in America.
The thing that this movie does that makes me want to go back time and time again is how it illustrates the mental game. It’s a timeless reminder that whether you identify as a golfer or not: finding calm under crushing pressure comes by focusing on the moment at hand.
One step. One swing. One hole at a time.
Why you should watch: a true underdog story with a message that reaches beyond the sport is an absolute winner, every time.
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
While Ouimet brought the game to the people, Bobby Jones gave it its soul.
The inspirational bio-flic, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, paints the picture surrounding one of the greatest golfers to decide not to turn pro; playing for love of the sport, not money.
Despite his ability to win a Grand Slam in a single calendar year, what stands out about Jones (Jim Caviezel) is his integrity. Known for calling penalties on himself, even when no one else noticed because for him, golf was as much about honor as it was about skill.
Why you should watch it: Jones touched golf in a way that is still very evident today, through the course he co-founded, Augusta National, and the tournament played there in The Masters. Now, that’s influence.
Each of these golf flicks reflects a different truth about the game.
Tin Cup displays golf as passion and risk.
The Greatest Game Ever Played proves golf as opportunity and perseverance.
Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius shows golf as integrity and legacy.
Together, they remind us that golf isn’t just about a ball that goes in a hole. It’s a reflection of character, choice, and the pursuit of something bigger than a scorecard.
Whether you’re a weekend hacker or actively chasing championships, these stories resonate. Because at its core, golf is never just about the swing…
It’s about the person holding the club.
From cult classics to fresh finds, Par 3 is your weekly golf movie playlist. Come back next week for more!