From the red carpet to the rolling greens, many of Hollywood’s biggest names share a passion for golf. For some, it’s a way to escape the spotlight and find peace on the fairways. For others, it’s a competitive pursuit with single-digit handicaps that would impress any club golfer. This guide explores the most devoted celebrity golfers, their impressive skills, and the fascinating stories behind their love for the game.
The Kings of the Celebrity Fairway
While many celebrities enjoy a casual round, a select few have turned golf into a serious passion — and their handicaps prove it.
Samuel L. Jackson’s legendary love for golf is so intense that he reportedly has a clause in every movie contract guaranteeing him time to play at least twice a week, wherever filming takes place [citation:2][citation:10]. His official handicap has been reported as an impressive 6.9 [citation:2]. A true highlight of his golfing career came at St. Andrews, where he once beat Tiger Woods in a round — Woods shot 70, while Jackson’s handicap-adjusted net score was far lower [citation:10].
Bill Murray, the comedic icon and star of the golf classic “Caddyshack,” plays off a strong 7-handicap [citation:2]. He’s a regular fixture at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where his on-course antics — from handing out hot dogs to fans to pulling unpredictable stunts — make him a fan favorite [citation:2][citation:4]. His book “Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf” delves into how deeply the sport has shaped his life [citation:2].
Mark Wahlberg is another Hollywood heavy hitter with an 8.7 handicap [citation:2]. An early riser, he often hits the course at dawn before a full day on a film set. His dedication to the game includes installing a practice area and driving range in his own backyard, where he enjoys playing with his children [citation:2].
Surprising Golf Fanatics
Some of the most dedicated celebrity golfers might surprise you with their skill and commitment.
Carson Daly’s background is one of the most intriguing. He played junior golf with Tiger Woods himself [citation:5]. Long before hosting “The Today Show,” Daly caddied at the iconic Riviera Country Club and even tried to qualify for the U.S. Open [citation:5]. He received a partial golf scholarship to Loyola Marymount University, showing his early talent was no joke.
Don Cheadle is a genuinely skilled player with a 7.6 USGA Handicap Index who plays about 50 rounds a year, including several pro-am tournaments [citation:5][citation:7]. His most memorable moment on the course? Making a hole-in-one in a tournament in front of 1,000 people [citation:5].
Matthew McConaughey carries an 8.6 handicap and played on his high school golf team [citation:5]. He’s also a member of a very exclusive club: he claims to have made four holes-in-one in his lifetime [citation:5].
Musicians and Rock Stars on the Greens
The music industry is also well-represented on the golf course.
Alice Cooper, the legendary shock-rock star, is one of the most passionate celebrity golfers with a handicap that has been as low as 5 [citation:2][citation:3]. But for Cooper, golf is more than just a game — he credits it with saving his life and helping him recover from severe alcoholism [citation:2]. He even wrote a book called “Golf Monster” detailing how the sport helped him achieve sobriety [citation:2].
Kenny G, the renowned saxophonist, is a low-handicap golfer who has twice won the club championship at Sherwood Country Club [citation:5]. His dedication to improvement is serious enough that he has worked with swing coach George Gankas, resulting in notable improvements to his game [citation:5].
Country star Jake Owen is such a skilled player that he was on a path to play golf at Florida State University and pursue a professional career before a wakeboarding accident led him to music instead [citation:5]. He’s now a low single-digit handicapper who regularly partners with Jordan Spieth at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am [citation:5].
Hollywood’s Power Couples
Golf is often a family affair, and no celebrity couple embodies this more than Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones [citation:9].
The 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship saw this Hollywood power couple return to the “Home of Golf” at St. Andrews, playing alongside professionals and other stars [citation:9]. Zeta-Jones has become a passionate golfer, and the couple has been seen enjoying practice rounds together, showcasing their enduring partnership on some of the world’s most beautiful courses [citation:1][citation:9].
A New Generation: The MCU’s Rising Stars
The love for golf is being passed to a younger generation of actors.
Tom Holland, the star of the “Spider-Man” franchise, has become a well-known golf nut [citation:6]. He has used the game as a tool for networking and even claims to have won a deal point during a contract negotiation on a par-3 course [citation:6]. For Holland, golf also plays a vital role in his sobriety journey, explaining that trying to drink his way through bad rounds led to worse play before he cut alcohol out completely [citation:6].
Kathryn Newton of Marvel’s “Ant-Man” movies is arguably the best female golfer in Hollywood [citation:3][citation:4]. She played on her high school team and has competed in multiple professional pro-ams, including the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship [citation:4]. Her best handicap has been as low as +2.0, and she once shot a remarkable 5-under-par for nine holes [citation:8].
Full List of Celebrity Golfer Handicaps
Here is a quick reference table of the estimated handicaps for some of the most notable celebrity golfers mentioned above:
| Celebrity | Estimated Handicap | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Kathryn Newton | 5.0 (was +2.0) | Ant-Man, Big Little Lies |
| Alice Cooper | 5.0 | Rock Legend |
| Samuel L. Jackson | 6.9 | Pulp Fiction, Marvel |
| Bill Murray | 7.0 | Ghostbusters, Caddyshack |
| Don Cheadle | 7.6 | Avengers, Hotel Rwanda |
| Mark Wahlberg | 8.7 | The Departed, Ted |
| Matthew McConaughey | 8.6 | Dallas Buyers Club |
| Justin Timberlake | 4.3 | Singer/Actor |
Why Hollywood Falls for Golf
For many in the entertainment industry, golf offers a welcome escape from the constant noise of Hollywood [citation:1]. It’s a sport where one’s character is revealed through self-policing of rules, providing a sanctuary of integrity and calm [citation:1]. The pro-am circuit also provides a unique networking environment, as Tom Holland pointed out, where business deals can be discussed in a relaxed setting [citation:6]. Ultimately, for these stars, the challenge of mastering the game’s mental and physical rigors is an irresistible draw that keeps them coming back to the course, year after year.
Teeing Off with the Stars: The next time you’re struggling to break 90, remember that even some of Hollywood’s biggest names have been right there with you — and some of them are even better. This list proves that the love for golf transcends career paths, bringing together rock stars, action heroes, and legendary actors on the same beautiful fairways.
