From Hollywood A-listers to music legends and sports icons, golf has a unique ability to attract famous personalities from every walk of life. For many celebrities, golf is more than just a hobby—it’s an obsession that offers escape from the spotlight, a competitive outlet, and a way to connect with friends away from cameras. Some have even developed skills that rival low-handicap amateurs. This guide explores the most devoted celebrity golfers, their handicaps, memorable moments on the course, and the stories behind their love for the game.
Bill Murray: The Life of Every Pro-Am
Bill Murray is perhaps the most beloved celebrity golfer. His love affair with golf began long before his iconic role as groundskeeper Carl Spackler in “Caddyshack.” Murray plays off an impressive 7 handicap and is a fixture at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. On the course, Murray is pure entertainment—he interacts with fans, pulls unexpected pranks on playing partners, and once famously delivered a running commentary from a bunker while awaiting a ruling. He’s also known for handing out hot dogs to spectators from his golf cart. Murray has written a book about his golf experiences, “Cinderella Story: My Life in Golf,” which captures his deep, genuine love for the game. His best pro-am finish? A tie for 5th at Pebble Beach in 2017.
Samuel L. Jackson: The Contract Clause Golfer
Samuel L. Jackson’s love for golf is so intense that he reportedly has a clause in every film contract guaranteeing him time to play at least twice a week, no matter where filming takes place. Jackson plays to an impressive 6.9 handicap and has been spotted on courses all over the world, from St. Andrews to South Africa. His most memorable golf moment: beating Tiger Woods at St. Andrews. Officially, Woods shot 70 while Jackson’s handicap-adjusted net score was lower, leading Jackson to claim the victory. He’s also played in multiple pro-ams and is known for his colorful on-course attire and booming voice. Jackson once said that golf saved his career by giving him a way to manage stress and stay sane between intense film roles.
Mark Wahlberg: The Dawn Patrol
Mark Wahlberg is a serious golfer who carries an 8.7 handicap. Known for his 2 AM workouts, Wahlberg often fits in a round before most people have had breakfast. He has installed a practice area and driving range in his own backyard, complete with a short game area and multiple hitting bays. Wahlberg frequently plays with his children, teaching them the game from a young age. He’s a member at several exclusive clubs and has played in multiple pro-ams. His dedication is such that he once flew directly from a film set to a golf course, changed clothes in the parking lot, and walked 18 holes without missing a beat. Wahlberg credits golf with teaching him patience—a quality he admits did not come naturally.
Alice Cooper: Golf Saved My Life
The legendary shock-rock star has a handicap that has been as low as 5, making him one of the best celebrity golfers. But for Cooper, golf is far more than a game—it saved his life. Struggling with severe alcoholism in the 1980s, Cooper credits golf with helping him achieve sobriety. He would play 36 holes a day, sometimes 54, replacing the time he previously spent drinking. He even wrote a book called “Golf Monster,” detailing his journey from rock bottom to the fairways. Cooper has played over 6,000 rounds of golf and owns a house on a golf course. He’s known for playing fast (2-hour rounds), walking instead of riding, and never taking a practice swing. His advice: “If you want to get sober, get a golf membership.”
Kathryn Newton: The Best Female Golfer in Hollywood
Kathryn Newton, star of “Ant-Man” and “Big Little Lies,” is arguably the best female golfer in Hollywood. She played on her high school golf team in California and has competed in multiple professional pro-ams, including the prestigious Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews. Her handicap has been as low as +2.0 (below scratch) and currently plays to about a 5. She once shot an astonishing 5-under-par over nine holes in a junior tournament. Newton practices relentlessly, working with top instructors and playing competitive amateur events. She’s also known for her putting prowess and mental game. Newton represents a new generation of young Hollywood talent that takes golf seriously.
Justin Timberlake: The Pop Star Who Almost Went Pro
Justin Timberlake carries a 4.3 handicap and has come close to pursuing professional golf. He’s hosted the “Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open” on the PGA Tour and played in multiple pro-ams. Timberlake’s swing is technically sound—he has worked with top instructors and even played in a Monday qualifier for a Web.com Tour event in 2018 (he shot 75, missing the cut). He owns a highly-regarded golf course (Mirimichi) in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Timberlake once said that if he had a “do-over” career, he would try to become a professional golfer. His passion for the game is evident in his frequent social media posts from exclusive courses around the world.
Tom Holland: The Spider-Man Who Negotiated on a Par-3
Tom Holland, the young star of the “Spider-Man” franchise, has become a well-known golf nut. He learned to play while filming in New York and has since become obsessed, often playing 36 holes in a day. Holland has used the game as a tool for networking and famously claimed to have won a deal point during a contract negotiation while playing a par-3 course in New York. For Holland, golf also plays a vital role in his sobriety journey: he explained that trying to drink his way through bad rounds led to worse play before he cut alcohol out completely. His handicap is estimated around 10-12, but he’s improving rapidly with lessons from top coaches.
Don Cheadle: The Consistent Contender
Don Cheadle is a genuinely skilled player with a 7.6 USGA Handicap Index who plays about 50 rounds per year, including several pro-am tournaments. His most memorable moment on the course came when he made a hole-in-one in a tournament in front of 1,000 people. Cheadle is known for his smooth, rhythmic swing and his unflappable demeanor on the course. He rarely gets angry after a bad shot—a trait that fellow players admire. Cheadle frequently plays at celebrity events and has been paired with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other top pros. His consistency is his strength: he rarely shoots over 85.
Kenny G: The Club Champion
Kenny G, the renowned saxophonist, is a low-handicap golfer who has twice won the club championship at Sherwood Country Club, an exclusive course in Thousand Oaks, California. His dedication to improvement is serious enough that he has worked with swing coach George Gankas (who also coaches pro golfers). Kenny G’s handicap has been as low as 2.0. He’s known for his obsessive practice habits—hitting hundreds of balls per day during the off-season from touring. He once played 72 holes in a single day. Kenny G credits golf with keeping him focused and disciplined in his music career.
Larry David: The Frustrated Golfer (And That’s the Point)
Larry David, creator of “Seinfeld” and star of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” plays golf regularly. His handicap is estimated around 13-15, but that’s not the point. David’s golf persona is pure “Curb”—he’s known for getting unreasonably angry at slow play, complaining about course conditions, and inventing absurd local rules. He once got into an argument about whether a ball that landed on a sprinkler head could be moved (it can—free relief). David’s love of golf is well-documented on his show, including the episode where he uses a foot wedge to improve his lie. Despite his on-course frustrations, David plays multiple times per week and considers golf his primary form of exercise and social interaction.
Full List of Celebrity Golfers and Handicaps
| Celebrity | Handicap | Claim to Fame |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Timberlake | 4.3 | Singer, Actor |
| Kathryn Newton | 5.0 (was +2.0) | Actress (Ant-Man) |
| Alice Cooper | 5.0 | Rock Legend |
| Samuel L. Jackson | 6.9 | Actor (Pulp Fiction) |
| Bill Murray | 7.0 | Actor, Comedian |
| Don Cheadle | 7.6 | Actor (Ocean’s Eleven) |
| Mark Wahlberg | 8.7 | Actor (The Departed) |
| Matthew McConaughey | 8.6 | Actor (Dallas Buyers Club) |
| Kenny G | 2.0 (lowest reported) | Saxophonist |
| Tom Holland | 10-12 | Actor (Spider-Man) |
| Larry David | 13-15 | Comedian, Writer |
Why Celebrities Fall in Love with Golf
For celebrities, golf offers a unique combination of benefits. First, it provides a private escape—elite clubs offer security and discretion that public places cannot. Second, golf’s mental challenge is a welcome distraction from the pressures of fame. Third, the pro-am circuit provides networking opportunities with business leaders and fellow stars. Fourth, golf is a lifelong sport that can be played well into old age, unlike many physical activities. Finally, golf’s handicap system allows celebrities of varying skill levels to compete fairly. Whether it’s Bill Murray’s comedy, Alice Cooper’s redemption story, or Kathryn Newton’s competitive drive, each celebrity has found something different in golf. But they all share one thing: a deep, genuine love for the game.
The bottom line on famous celebrities who love golf: From rock stars to superheroes, golf attracts an astonishing range of famous personalities. Bill Murray, Samuel L. Jackson, Alice Cooper, Justin Timberlake, and Kathryn Newton represent the diversity of celebrity golf fandom. Some are excellent (Kenny G, Kathryn Newton), some are passionate despite modest skills (Larry David), and all are dedicated. The next time you’re paired with a friendly stranger on the first tee, remember—they could be a movie star incognito. After all, on the golf course, everyone is just a golfer.
