Happy Gilmore 2, streaming on Netflix, is a triumphant sequel that cements Adam Sandler’s comedic legacy while delivering a love letter to golf fans, especially those tuned into the LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour saga.
Directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, this instant classic stumbles out of the gate but finds its swing with a heartfelt nod to Carl Weathers and a riotous climax, though its final moments could use a trim.
For fans of both Sandler’s anarchic humor and the sport’s ongoing civil war, this is an unmissable gem.
The film opens sluggishly, with Happy Gilmore (Sandler), now a retired golf champ battling alcoholism and grief over his wife Virginia’s (Julie Bowen) tragic death, playing a cringeworthy round with a trio of hipster misfits. Their try-hard banter and TikTok-obsessed antics feel forced — think crypto bros with man-buns — feels like a swing and a miss, dragging the opening act.
The film finds its groove when Happy, aiming to fund his daughter Vienna’s (Sunny Sandler) ballet school dreams, launches into a Rocky-style training montage to rejoin the PGA Tour. This nod to the late Weathers’ Chubbs is a home run, blending slapstick with Sandler’s raw, hockey-jersey swagger.
The real fireworks explode at the Tour Championship dinner — a scene primed for social media domination — with one user vowing to “clip that dinner scene forever.”
Tour diehards will howl at subtle zingers that nail pro golf’s ongoing civil war, like a journeyman’s defection to the upstart league immediately after winning his first PGA Tour trophy, or the LIV Golf-inspired Maxi Golf league CEO (Benny Safdie) explaining how 18 holes is out of style.
These gags demand familiarity with tour golf’s drama; without it, they might land like a shanked drive. For pro golf fanatics, though, they’re pure gold.
The supporting cast is a treasure chest of meme fuel as well: Christopher McDonald’s Shooter McGavin oozes villainous glee; Ben Stiller’s deranged Hal steals multiple scenes; and Bad Bunny’s busboy-turned-caddie masters the deadpan. Meanwhile, speaking cameos by John Daly, Travis Kelce, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Lovitz, and Eminem are tailor-made for GIFs.
The final 10 minutes, a chaotic showdown on Maxi Golf’s over-the-top “course” drags slightly with outlandish antics that could’ve been trimmed for tighter impact.
Still, the film’s 114-minute runtime bursts with quotable lines, crude gags, and heartfelt callbacks.
Fans on X call it “a social media goldmine,” with one vowing to “meme Happy into history.”
The Verdict: A Meme-Ready Classic for Golf Junkies
Happy Gilmore 2 overcomes a wobbly, cringe-tinged start and a slightly long-winded finish to deliver a near-perfect sequel.
Its Rocky-esque training, iconic Tour Championship dinner, and biting LIV-PGA satire make it a must-watch for golf fans who know their Tour drama.
Stream it on Netflix, clip the best bits, and brace for a new wave of Happy GIFs. Just warn your non-golfing friends: the sharpest jokes might sail past them.
Rating: 4.5/5 – A near-perfect drive, slowed only by a shaky start.
