Hollywood and Golf — the two go together like mustard and relish. Few industries cross-pollinate the way the golf and entertainment worlds do, mostly because it seems like everyone who picks up a golf club — Hollywood icon or not — falls head-over-heels in love with the game.
Because of this, we’ve seen countless celebrity golfers through the years who have their hearts captured by the game more they’ve captured ours. Whether it was Bob Hope, Clint Eastwood or Katherine Hepburn, there have always been Hollywood stars and starlets who were enamored with the game.
Today, the Hope’s and Hepburn’s of the world have been replaces with Dion’s and Duhamel’s, Murray’s and Alba’s. Here’s a look at the top-50 celebrity golfers in Hollywood:
50. Kevin Dillon
Johnny Drama from HBO’s “Entourage” is the best real-life golfer of the guys on the show — all of whom are frequently showed on the golf course. Matt’s brother currently plays off a 7.3 handicap.
49. Kate Upton
Kate Upton has been a household name ever since she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue in 2011, but it wasn’t until she appeared alongside Arnold Palmer — arguably the coolest human being ever — in Golf Digest that she became really cool. Upton says she’s not great at the game, but is learning. Surely her boyfriend — Detroit Tigers pitcher and 5-handicap Justin Verlander — will give her some pointers, too.
48. Caitlyn Jenner
After successfully transitioning from life as Bruce to Caitlyn, Jenner had carried her love of golf through the whole process, often playing golf in Los Angeles with her close friend, Angie Harmon.
47. Stephen Dillane
Odds are, you probably know Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon from “Game of Thrones,” but the Scot has also played Harry Vardon, starring as the foil to Shia LaBeouf’s Francis Ouimet in Disney’s “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
46. Joe Pesci
Academy Award-winning actor Joe Pesci is known for his attitude on screen, whether it’s as Vincent Gambini in “My Cousin Vinny” or as Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas.” Off screen, Pesci loves the relaxing game of golf — though he admits, it’s frustrating from time to time. He participates in a number of charity outings each year — including his own — and has been featured on Golf Channel’s show, “Playing Lessons with the Pros.”
45. Aidan Quinn
“Elementary” actor Aidan Quinn currently plays off a 7.8 handicap; known in golf circles for playing Harry Vardon in 2004’s “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.”
44. Chris O’Donnell
Actor Chris O’Donnell is one of television’s most recognizable faces thanks to the success of “NCIS.” Boasting a 5.2 handicap, he’s also one of Hollywood’s best golfers.
43. Kevin James
“King of Queens” star Kevin James has parlayed his comedy career into a very successful film one. When he’s not working, he’s probably golfing with his friends — including fellow Hollywood golfer, Adam Sandler.
42. Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood was the king of cool during his heyday, and that’s a reputation you just can’t shake with age. Eastwood and Pebble Beach are almost synonymous with each other. Before Bill Murray became the star attraction each year at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, it was Eastwood (in a much different manner) who drew the crowds. His handicap has risen with age, but he still plays as much as he can.
41. Hugh Grant
English actor Hugh Grant hasn’t been heard from as often as he was in the late 90’s — but that’s probably just because he’s playing golf. Grant can be found every fall playing in the annual celebrity portion of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
40. Tea Leoni
You probably wouldn’t think it — but Tea Leoni is one of Hollywood’s top female golfers. The “Madam Secretary” star currently plays off a 12 and plays whenever her busy schedule allows.
39. Owen Wilson
You don’t hear about him too often when you hear about golfers in Hollywood, but Owen Wilson is a pretty good stick. According to his brother, Luke, Owen spends a lot of his spare time working on his putting on his private practice green.
38. Michael Chiklis
When you think of golfers in Hollywood, you don’t usually think about Michael Chiklis — but maybe you ought to. The former “Shield”star plays off a 10 handicap.
37. Cheech Marin
Known originally for his comedic bits with sidekick Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin loves the game of golf and will forever be remembered by golf fans as “Romeo,” the faithful caddie and friend to Roy McAvoy.
36. Charlie Day
Charlie Day has become one of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars as a result of his work on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and movies like “Horrible Bosses” and “The Lego Movie.” When he’s not busy writing and starring in “Sunny,” Day can be found on the golf course honing his game. For those of us who are fans of the show and the game of golf, Day often shows his support for the game by wearing TaylorMade shirts and other strategically placed golf paraphernalia in episodes of the show.
35. Kevin Costner
One of America’s biggest movie stars, Kevin Costner is better known in golf circles as Roy McAvoy from “Tin Cup.” In real life, Costner’s busy schedule hasn’t allowed him to spend as much time on the links as he’d like.
34. Jessica Alba
If you told any man on the planet that Jessica Alba could get more attractive, they’d have laughed — but one look at the “Sin City” actress on the golf course and her impressive swing, and it’s hard not to think she’s the perfect woman. Add to that that she’s checked at least one item off every amateur golfer’s bucket list — play with John Daly — and you’ve got a legendary celebrity golfer in the making.
33. Adam Sandler
Most notable in golf circles as hockey player-turned-golfer “Happy Gilmore,” Sandler plays around Los Angeles off a 16 handicap and has put his real swing on display on screen in the film “50 First Dates” alongside Drew Barrymore.
32. Matt Craven
Canadian actor known best for “NCIS” was ranked No. 3 on Golf Digest’s 2007 list of Hollywood’s top 100 golfers.
31. George Lopez
Actor/Comedian George Lopez is one of Hollywood’s most notorious golfers, making appearances in countless celebrity events — including an annual appearance in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
30. Kyle MacLachlan
“Desperate Housewives” actor Kyle MacLachlan is another die-hard golf nut who lives in Hollywood and makes movies and TV shows to support his golf habit.
29. Jon Hamm
Now that “Mad Men” has come to an end, Jon Hamm will have a little more time to focus on his golf game. Hamm, who starred as “Don Draper” on the legendary show, says he played a lot growing up in St. Louis and that the lowest handicap he’s ever carried is “about a 12.” Hopefully Hamm will see that number drop this summer.
28. Dennis Haysbert
Dennis Haysbert has had a pretty enviable film career, having memorable roles in “24,” “Heat,” “Major League” and more. Off the silver screen, he’s a 15 handicap who loves playing the game and using it to give back.
27. Sean Connery
He doesn’t talk about it much, but Sean Connery is very avid golfer. The former 007 agent got the golf bug on the set of the film that made him a legend — “Goldfinger” — learning the game for the famous golf match between James Bond and the infamous Auric Goldfinger.
26. Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz first showed us her sweet swing in the 1996 Farrelly Brothers comedy, “There’s Something About Mary,” but reports are that she wasn’t immediately taken by the game. Golf Digest claims the Golden Globe nominee was introduced to the game on a serious level by her ex-beau and golf-nut Justin Timberlake. Due to her busy work schedule, her current handicap isn’t readily available, but she was listed as a 36 in 2012.
25. Christopher McDonald
In “Happy Gilmore,” Christopher McDonald played the world’s best golfer — Shooter McGavin. In real life, McDonald is an avid golfer who spends most of his time on the swanky private tracks around L.A.
24. Matthew McConaughey
The Academy Award winning actor played golf in high school and still plays fairly often despite his intense work schedule. McConaughey carries a single digit handicap and is friend of the University of Texas golf team. No surprise here, the Texan also loves himself some Jordan Spieth.
23. Kevin Nealon
Before he was starring alongside Arnold Palmer and NASCAR driver Brian Vickers in golf-related medicine commercials, Kevin Nealon was the eccentric tour pro encouraging Happy Gilmore to, “feel the flow.”
22. Lucas Black
While he’s better known for his role in “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift,” Lucas Black showed off his sweet swing in the 2011 golf film, “Seven Days in Utopia.” Black is also a regular at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and his handicap is nearly scratch.
21. Will Smith
Acclaimed actor Will Smith is a certified golf nut. The “Independence Day” star reportedly carries a 14 handicap and spends his time teeing it up at Calabasas Country Club with the likes of “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star Alfonso Ribeiro and other Hollywood A-listers. Last year, the “Fresh Prince” even had the chance to catch up with golfing royalty — Rory McIlroy.
20. Colin Jost
New host of “Saturday Night Live’s” Weekend Update was Golf Digest’s cover boy for 2015 “Comedy Issue.” Says he tries to get golf jokes on the show whenever possible.
19. Snoop Dogg
Arguably the most surprising name on this list, Snoop Dogg finds lands at No. 19 thanks to his star power more so than his rounds of 90+ around Southern California.
18. Catherine Zeta-Jones
Michael Douglas’ better half, Catherine Zeta-Jones, has taken to golf like a fish to water. The “Chicago” actress says she usually plays twice a week at a course outside her home in Bermuda. “I have a whole bunch of girlfriends who I play with,” she told People Magazine in 2007. “We have a girls’ day — which is always fun because it’s like, ‘Oh, we’re not playing well. Let’s go for lunch and have a glass of wine!'”
17. Celine Dion
Canadian singing legend and the voice of “Titanic” theme song, Celine Dion is a little-know golf nut. According to Reuters, Dion currently carries a 17 handicap.
16. Matt Damon
Matt Damon doesn’t play often — or well, according to Golf Digest’s 2007 list — but he’s still Matt Damon and he did play Rannulph Junah in “The Legend of Bagger Vance.”
15. Josh Duhamel
Fergie’s husband and star of “Transformers,” Josh Duhamel is a regular the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am every February. Duhamel estimates that he’s a 10-handicap and is reportedly already teaching the game to his baby boy, Axl.
14. Haley Joel Osment
“Sixth Sense” star has grown up and currently owns a 9.6 handicap and plays mostly out of Southern California. Doesn’t really act too much anymore, leaving plenty of time for the game.
13. Larry David
“Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David can’t seem to curb his enthusiasm for golf. David, who loves to loathe the game as much as most amateurs reportedly carries a 10 handicap. He was featured in Golf Digest’s 2015 “Comedy Issue.”
12. Andy Garcia
The 1997 celebrity winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Garcia is one of Hollywood’s most notorious golfers playing whenever and wherever he can get a tee time.
11. Kevin Sorbo
Like many actors, Kevin Sorbo has annual celebrity golf tournament to raise money for charity. Along with that, Sorbo reportedly carries a 7.2 handicap and plays primarily in Southern California.
10. Jack Wagner
Jack Wagner is one of the Hollywood’s most well-respected actors — and golfers. While Wagner is officially listed as a 1.0 handicap, he told Golf Digest in 2007 that he was, “a 10.”
9. Ray Romano
Few celebrities have a bigger golf addiction than Ray Romano. The “Everybody Loves Raymond” star is a regular at almost every major celebrity tournament — including the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am — and even put his game on display for the world as the subject of Golf Channel’s “The Haney Project.”
8. Craig T. Nelson
TV’s “Coach” — Craig T. Nelson — plays to a single digit and has been featured on Golf Channel’s “Playing with the Pro’s” series. Can often be seen integrating golf into some of his film roles.
7. Mark Wahlberg
It’s next to impossible to have a “Coolest” whatever list in Hollywood and fail to include Mark Wahlberg. I mean, he’s Marky Mark for crying out loud. Wahlberg has put his game on display in public a number of times for television and is quite proud of his swing. In 2010 as a 14-handicap, Wahlberg was the only amateur to break 100 on the U.S. Open setup at Pebble Beach during an exhibition round.
6. Jack Nicholson
Not to be confused with Jack Nicklaus, Jack Nicholson doesn’t play as often as he used to but is still one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and biggest draws. According to 2007 Golf Digest list, the other “Jack” played to a 12.7 handicap.
5. Luke Wilson
Brother of Owen Wilson and star of more than a dozen films, Luke Wilson loves golf and plays whenever he can. Wilson is a member at Bel-Air Country Club where he plays with the likes of Greg Kinnear and Dennis Quaid.
4. Dennis Quaid
For a while, Dennis Quaid was the best golfer in all of Hollywood, according to Golf Digest. Since 2004, however, his handicap has risen from a 1.1 to a mid-single digit. Quaid, who has appeared in more than 50 films in his career told Golf.com in 2011, “I’d love to do a golf movie. I turned down Don Johnson’s role in Tin Cup. I regret that. I’d love to do a movie with [Tin Cup director] Ron Shelton.”
3. Justin Timberlake
There are very few people who love the game of golf more than Justin Timberlake. JT is a bonafide star, topping the pop charts and starring in Hollywood blockbusters – but in his spare time, he’s a single digit handicapper who loves playing golf. He was even a golf course owner for a while. His name was on the deed for Mirimichi Golf Course before selling it in 2014.
2. Samuel L. Jackson
If there’s anything Samuel L. Jackson likes more than the f-word, it’s playing golf. The highest grossing actor of all-time (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) carries a single-digit handicap and spends most of his down-time on the golf course.
1. Bill Murray
The man, the myth, the legend – Bill Murray’s passion for golf is well-documented. He’s a fixture at celebrity events like the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and Dunhill Links Championship and even co-hosts a charity event in Florida each year with his brothers, the “Murray Brother’s Caddyshack Tournament.” The Oscar-nominated actor’s greatest on-course success came in 2011 when he and D.A. Points won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.