No lie: The best fictional golfers

Critics panned this film — maybe worse than Caddyshack II. Hawkins (Big Boi) is a rap/hip-hop star (shockingly type cast) who wants to join a swanky country club but is denied membership. Hawkins goes to some interesting lengths to be a member, and some entertaining moments ensue.

We don't see much of Potter (Kevin Nealon) playing golf, but he provides plenty of comic competence as a fellow tour member of Happy Gilmore. He's known for his nonsensical wisdom and believes there is more to the game than just physical talent. That makes him one of the more underrated fictional golfers in movie history.

While the 2010 film was nowhere near as popular and critically acclaimed as the novel, Irons deserves a spot on this list. Irons (David O'Hara) is a veteran golfer who befriends Michael Murphy. He offers guidance, knowledge of the game, and spiritual advice, making him somewhat of a magical character. 

Not necessarily the nicest of people. However, McDuck might be the most athletic within the realm of these famed Donald Duck-associated characters. As legend has it, Donald McDuck invented the game of golf and ultimately got the sport banned in Scotland because of his hot temper and poor etiquette while playing. How's that for history?

Lucas Black does a nice job playing this talented young golfer who tries to rebound from an on-course meltdown. Luke is helped by a mentor of sorts. In this case, one played by the great Robert Duvall. It's a movie that's likely off many radars but well worth the time for golf fans who like a little personal drama with the sport. 

OK, Kramer (Michael Richards) was not a professional golfer. He wasn't even an amateur competitor. However, some of Kramer's more memorable moments involved golf. From the infamous round with "Stan the Caddy" to the tee incident involving a potentially murderous former pro baseball player to driving golf balls into the ocean, Kramer was quite the duffer. 

Tim Conway is one of the true legends of comedy, and his run as the diminutive Dorf should rank up there with some of his best roles. Through this series of short films, Dorf offers plenty of golf advice, which really should only be followed if one wants to become worse at the game.

The antagonist and somewhat rival of one Roy "Tin Cup" McAvoy. Simms (Don Johnson) is one fine golfer, but he's as arrogant as most sports movie "bad guys" seem. Simms is not mean-spirited, but there's enough of him to loathe — especially because he's got something Roy wants that has nothing to do with the game of golf at all. 

Chubbs (Carl Weathers), Happy Gilmore's mentor, was once a great golfer. He was forced to give up his competitive career after an alligator ripped off his hand. When it comes to golf coaches, it's hard to beat Chubbs. He can be rough, gruff, and annoyed by Happy's antics, but he knows what it takes to be a winner.

Pat (Katherine Hepburn) is a tremendous all-around athlete, particularly in golf. However, her performance tends to go poorly when her boyfriend is around. Pat eventually hires a shady sports promoter (Spencer Tracy) to enhance things, and that's when the fun begins.

Another trip back to the 1950s. While Jerry Lewis is the star as a golf instructor-turned-caddy, Dean Martin's Anthony is also entertaining. Joe grows arrogant while earning some golf success. Ultimately, the two learn that the game is destroying both their professional and personal relationship, and maybe they are better off doing something else together.

While the film did poorly at the box office, Junuh (Matt Damon) is a strong enough character to earn a prominent spot on this list. The mental rigors of war have messed Junuh up, but he finds solace in the game of golf. A pure talent, with the help of the mysterious but wise caddie (played by Will Smith), Junuh has the chance to prove his worth on the course against two of the game's greats: Bobby Jones and Walter Hagan. 

The truth of the matter is that Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield) is not a very good golfer. He's on the links for comic relief. His business is real estate and driving a certain judge at the famed Bushwood Country Club crazy. His wisecracks are legendary (You get a free bowl of soup with that hat?). Czervik might also possess the biggest golf bag in the history of the game.

Throwing it out there: This is one of the more underrated sports — not just golf — movies out there. From 1988, Randy Quaid stars a pro golfer who has the talent to be successful. However, the drive and ambition might not always be there. It's an interesting view inside the life of a struggling touring pro, and the often off-centered Quaid delivers an above-average performance. 

Every country club has one member who thinks he owns the place. Meet Judge Smails (Ted Knight). He's bossy, thinks he's the best golfer in the club, and well, let's just say it's winter rules all year round when the Judge is not playing well. Yet, Smails "Billy Baroo" might be the most famous putter in the sport. 

In many ways, Danny (Michael O'Keefe) is the all-American boy just trying to go to college and help his family. Of course, his summer job happens to be as a caddy at America's most dysfunctional country club. Danny has a pretty good life. He's smart enough, is a good golfer, and has done pretty well with the ladies. Now, if he can only win that caddy scholarship. 

Easily the most popular golfing antagonist. Shooter (Christopher McDonald) is the best golfer on tour and knows it, as seen by his famous finger-gun celebration. He also does not like the way Happy carries himself on the course or how much fans love Happy. Shooter is a weasel who will do anything he can to win and make others look bad in the process. 

Kevin Costner has succeeded in roles around baseball, football, and even cross-country roles. Another one that should be celebrated is his turn as a former golf prodigy who has dropped the game to run a crappy Texas driving range. Ultimately, he gets back into pro golf, trying to qualify for the U.S. Open. While Roy has the physical talent, his mental game needs refining, but he's still an easy character to support.

This might be Adam Sandler's best comedic role. It's also something casual golfers can appreciate and imitate often. How many times have we seen a duffer take a running start to hit the ball off the tee? Do the "bull dance" when hitting a great shot? Sinking an important putt? Plus, how many people can go toe-to-toe with the great Bob Barker?

His wry wit, subtle sarcasm, and nonsensical advice are what we find most endearing about Ty Webb (Chevy Chase). Mr. Webb, as Danny Noonan liked to call him, is a pretty good golfer. He's a fan of night-putting and hitting the links while blindfolded. He's apparently a self-made man and owns a lumber yard, though he's not sure where it's located. While Happy Gilmore gets a lot of attention, Webb is the ultimate golf nutjob.