News

Members Choice: Which movie character has the best golf swing?

Published

8 years ago

Dec 25, 2017

As golfers, we all quote the classic golf movies — such as Caddyshack and Tin Cup — ad nauseam. Hang around a golf course long enough and you’ll most certainly hear someone drop a “na-na-na-na-na,” a “gunga galunga,” or a “Noonan!” We just can’t help ourselves.

But one thing that golf movies tend to struggle with is utilizing actors with believable golf swings for their roles. If you put Shooter McGavin on the range at the U.S. Open, he’d easily be exposed. Or imagine watching David Simms warm up on the range at Augusta next to Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott. The main characters in golf movies are often touted as the game’s best players, but the actors who play the roles often don’t have the swings to match. Not saying that it ruins the movies, but avid golfers can tell something is a bit off.

That being said, some movie characters do have great, or at least passable golf swings. In that vein, we polled our GolfWRX Members to see what movie character has the best golf swing.

Below are the top-3 movie character golf swings, as voted by GolfWRX Members, and why. Join the discussion here.

3) Danny Noonan (Caddyshack): 13.33 percent of votes

SubaruWRX: Na na na na na na na na na na…

Medic: Do you do drugs, Danny? The guy (Noonan) had a really nice looking swing. Seem to recall that I read somewhere that the actor still plays.

2) Bobby Jones (The Legend of Bagger Vance): 14 percent of votes

BCULAW: The actor that played Bobby Jones in The Legend of Bagger Vance actually looked like he could play a bit. Can’t say that about many of the “actors who golf.”

sdandrea: Bobby Jones in Bagger, hands down.

hehateme2285: Jim Caviezal took his role as Bobby Jones seriously. Took a lot of lessons.

1) Roy McAvoy (Tin Cup): 24.67 percent of votes

bladehunter: It’s Tin Cup and it ain’t even close. David Simms looks like a Tin man with rusty joints.

Discussion: Join the discussion here.

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7 Comments

Mike W

Feb 14, 2018 at 12:19 pm

It’s hard to credit Costner/McAvoy’s swing as a pro swing, I just don’t see it, he looks like at best a 10 handicap, whereas the fellow who plays Jones in Bagger Vance, that swing wouldn’t immediately trigger snickers if he teed it up on the range at a tour event.

Reply Report comment
Dave Sanguinetti

Dec 27, 2017 at 1:14 pm

Your research is baaaad- Joel Gretsch is a professional acting and looking a lot like Bobby Jones. While Costner is a very good athlete, and has done many sports themed movies, NO ONE who sees this swing would ever confuse him with a pro golfer.

Reply Report comment
Brandon

Dec 26, 2017 at 3:48 pm

The Unfinished Symphony of Roy McAvoy

Reply Report comment
HOWARD THEISMAN

Dec 26, 2017 at 3:45 pm

Swings from ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’ should be included. Great movie with great swings!

Reply Report comment
ken

Dec 26, 2017 at 3:28 pm

Costner has a good move to the ball. Looks like he plays ,
However the Actor ( Joel Gretsch) that played the part of Bobby Jones, had about the most natural, smooth golf swing of any actor I have seen in a golf movie.
Bruce Mc Gill, who played the part of Walter Hagen also had a very good golf swing.
Other actors that had good swings. Jerry Orbach of Law and Order and “Dirty Dancing” fame.
Don Johnson’s swing in Tin Cup looked pretty authentic.
In the movie “Greatest Game Ever Played” which chronicles the shocking win of the US Open by Francis Ouimet, the actor Shia LaBeouf . That actor’s swing was in need of some serious editing during the golf scene shooting.

Reply Report comment
S

Dec 26, 2017 at 2:32 pm

Jim cavaziel didn’t play Bobby Jones in the legend of bagger Vance. Joel Fritsch did. You’ve got yout Bobby Jones movies mixed up

Reply Report comment
- John K
  
  Dec 26, 2017 at 3:38 pm
  
  You mean Joel Gretsch.
  
  Reply Report comment

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News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

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Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

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2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

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Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.