Happy Gilmore review

Happy Gilmore 1 and 2

Happy Gilmore 2 (2025)

Directed by Kyle Newacheck

Netflix

Or is it the Happy Gilmores?  The Happys Gilmore?

As many of you know, the sequel to the beloved golf comedy premiered on Netflix on July 31. I caught the first Happy Gilmore on Netflix before it disappeared. If you missed it, check the Comedy Channel on the weekends – they always show a good selection of Adam Sandler movies. It’s also available on Starz and for rent on Amazon Prime.

Happy Gilmore 2 finds Happy in need of quick financial gain to help a family member, much like the first movie.  You learn that he has stopped playing golf for reasons I won’t disclose here so as not to spoil the movie. He slowly regains his powerful drive, then begins his march through the golf tournament circuit in search of victory. He plays alongside real PGA and LIV players who star as themselves, and let me tell you, it was so, so fun to watch them all poke fun at themselves.

There are so many cameos by LPGA and PGA legends and current players. If you’re a golf fan, as I am, there are some inside jokes about these players that will delight you. If you are not a PGA fan, then you will still very much enjoy the humor. I also learned that Scottie Scheffler isn’t just an incredibly skilled golfer; he’s also a pretty good actor. Gosh, Scottie, leave some things for the rest of us to do! What’s next, Scottie, law school?

Happy Gilmore 2 is silly fun with some humor that would draw that look from your mother, but with a heart and sweetness underlying it. I give it half a cup of coffee, which means I liked it a lot!

If you need more golf comedy in your life, try Caddyshack. I checked with my brother, and we’re pretty sure the last time we watched it was on a rainy day at golf camp when we were in junior high school. I have vague memories of a gopher tearing up a golf course.  In other words, I don’t remember that much about it, so if it doesn’t hold up, don’t come at me. Other golf movies: Tin Cup with Kevin Costner being Kevin Costner and The Legend of Baggar Vance. I watched this once, and I remember enjoying it – it is not a comedy, however.

I would also recommend Full Swing on Netflix (Debbie, are they sponsoring us yet? I keep mentioning them).  The first season follows the formation of the LIV Tour, which pulled some golfers away from the PGA tour. High drama. If you’ve never watched golf, the first few episodes will define some of the lingo for you. All seasons show a number of golfers – names you’ve heard of and those that aren’t as familiar – so that you get to know them as people: people with super pale foreheads and tanned lower faces due to wearing caps in the sun all day. Please, someone, teach them about self-tanner to fix this.