Happy Gilmore

Happy Gilmore

Year: 1996

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: Dennis Dugan

SportComedyRomance

Happy Gilmore pursues a career in golf to save his grandmother's house from foreclosure. Trading his hockey skates for a golf club, he quickly becomes a surprising sensation with his unconventional style and aggressive playing. His boisterous personality and lack of traditional golf etiquette ruffle the feathers of the established, more refined players as he navigates the competitive world of professional golf.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Happy Gilmore (1996)

Trace every key event in Happy Gilmore (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Happy's Hockey Aspirations

Happy Gilmore, played by Adam Sandler, dreams of becoming a professional ice hockey player. Despite his powerful slap-shot inherited from his father, his lack of skating skills and aggressive behavior constantly sabotage his efforts to join a hockey team.

2

Grandmother's Financial Trouble

Happy learns that his beloved grandmother is in deep trouble with the IRS, accumulating a debt of $270,000. With three months to secure the funds, he faces the reality that her home is set to be seized, escalating his desperation.

3

Grandma Moves to Retirement Home

In the wake of the tax issues, Happy's grandmother is forced to move into a retirement home managed by the cruel Hal. This event serves as further motivation for Happy to find a way to save their family home.

Retirement home
4

Discovery of Golfing Talent

While helping with the move, Happy impresses movers by hitting golf balls over 400 yards using his slap-shot technique. This unexpected revelation sparks the idea for Happy to pursue golf as a means to earn money to save his grandmother’s house.

Driving range
5

Meeting Chubbs Peterson

Happy meets Chubbs Peterson, a former golf champion, who recognizes Happy's unique talent. Chubbs encourages Happy to enter a local tournament to earn the money needed for his grandma’s house.

6

Victory at Local Tournament

Happy wins the local golf tournament, which earns him a spot on the Pro Golf Tour. Ignoring Chubbs’ advice to refine his skills first, Happy dives headfirst into competitive golf, quickly attracting attention.

Local golf course
7

Conflict with Shooter McGavin

Upon entering the Pro Golf Tour, Happy makes an enemy of the arrogant Shooter McGavin. Shooter views Happy as a serious threat to his status and starts working to sabotage Happy’s success.

8

Controversial Golf Event

During a tournament, Happy’s antics paired with an event featuring Bob Barker lead to a chaotic altercation. Provoked by Shooter's hired fan, Happy encounters both hilarity and consequences like a fine and temporary suspension.

Golf tournament
9

Endorsement Deal

Despite his ups and downs, Happy secures an endorsement deal with Subway, providing him with enough financial means to reclaim his grandmother’s house. However, he soon discovers that the house is set to be auctioned off.

10

Wager with Shooter

In an effort to regain his grandmother’s house, Happy proposes a wager to Shooter. If he finishes above Shooter in the Tour Championship, he will reclaim the house; if not, he will leave the tour for good.

11

Training with Chubbs

With the help of Chubbs, Happy begins improving his golfing skills, especially his putting. Their training sessions help them develop a strong mentor-mentee bond, further motivating Happy to succeed.

12

Chaotic Championship Showdown

As the Tour Championship nears its climax, Happy and Shooter are neck and neck in the competition. Shooter resorts to desperate measures, including using Donald to disrupt Happy's game.

Golf Championship
13

The Final Hole

On the 18th hole, Happy faces Shooter in a tense showdown. An unexpected calamity occurs with a TV tower collapsing, but Happy applies his learned tricks to execute a miraculous shot, securing a tie.

Golf course, 18th hole
14

Winning the Championship

In a thrilling finale, Happy manages to win the Tour Championship through skill and determination. His victory allows him to reclaim his grandmother's home, fulfilling his promise to her.

Golf Championship
15

Celebration and Closure

The film concludes with Happy celebrating his victory amidst humorous and surreal congratulations from the spirits of Chubbs, Abraham Lincoln, and a fearsome alligator. This moment encapsulates the film's blend of comedy and heartfelt sentiment.

Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 00:30

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Happy Gilmore Summary

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Happy Gilmore Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Happy Gilmore

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Happy Gilmore

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