‘Happy Gilmore’ sequel will film at this New Jersey golf club, memo reveals

Details about the much-anticipated “Happy Gilmore” sequel have been scant, but one notable development has come to light this week: the film’s primary shoot location.

According to a memo from the trustees of Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J., their expansive club about 40 miles west of New York City has been selected “as the site to film most of the scenes in the movie.” 

The 433-word correspondence, a copy of which was obtained by GOLF.com, does not cite the film by name but GOLF.com has confirmed that the referenced shoot is for the next installment of “Happy Gilmore,” the 1996 cult classic golf comedy starring and co-written by Adam Sandler. That the sequel, which Netflix is producing, will be filmed in New Jersey is unsurprising given its talent-spotters conducted an open casting call for extras at a hotel in nearby Morristown last month.  

“Earlier this summer, the club was contacted by Netflix who were seeking a location to film a movie,” begins the memo, which Fiddler’s membership received Thursday afternoon. “After weeks of site visits, discussions, and negotiation we are pleased to report that Netflix has chosen Fiddler’s Elbow as the site to film most of the scenes in the movie.”

A source told GOLF.com that the crew is expected to begin shooting in early October.

Fiddler’s Elbow opened in 1965 with 27 holes; it since has expanded to housing three regulation 18-hole courses (River, Meadow and Forest), all of which will serve as settings in the movie, the trustees said. According to the memo, the Meadow course’s front nine “will experience more extensive alterations and filming. The staff and management of the club are working hard to re-route holes and provide the best experience possible. The plans are constantly evolving but, at this point, it looks likely that we will shut down three holes for the remainder of the season and an additional hole for two weeks.”

The memo continues: “The club views the filming of this movie much like other clubs when they host PGA/LPGA tour events. The membership must endure a short period of disruption for a lifetime of memories and the pride knowing your club was chosen out of many other choices. The total time on property will be approximately two months while filming will last four to five weeks. We will extend the golf season on the Forest Course to better accommodate the membership.

“Please remember that you will recognize famous faces on property. They are here to work, so autographs and pictures may not be possible. Also, while you may want to take photos of the club during this time, Netflix mandates that nothing can be posted to social media before the premiere of the movie.”

Other than Sandler’s, it’s unclear whose famous faces might grace the property. Presumably some of the original cast — including Christopher McDonald, who played the deliciously smarmy Shooter McGavin in the original “Gilmore” and broke the news of the sequel in a March radio interview — will be back. Sandler also let slip in interviews last month that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce will appear in the film along with several professional golfers.

Also largely unknown: the sequel’s plot, although Sandler did tell Travis and Jason Kelce on their “New Heights” podcast last month that the film “picks up from an older guy who’s played golf a long time. Some stuff goes on in his life — he’s a little, he’s different. He’s a bit of a mess when you meet Happy. And then we try to get his life cooking again.”

The film’s 2025 release (a date has not yet been announced) will coincide with Fiddler’s 60th anniversary.

“We are planning a year’s worth of events to commemorate this milestone,” the trustees wrote in the memo. “Certainly, the list of events will include a special, complimentary blow-out party showing the premiere of the movie next summer! In the end we want the shared experience to be something that all of us can watch with pride and a smile for many years to come.”

Alan Bastable

Golf.com Editor

As GOLF.com’s executive editor, Bastable is responsible for the editorial direction and voice of one of the game’s most respected and highly trafficked news and service sites. He wears many hats — editing, writing, ideating, developing, daydreaming of one day breaking 80 — and feels privileged to work with such an insanely talented and hardworking group of writers, editors and producers. Before grabbing the reins at GOLF.com, he was the features editor at GOLF Magazine. A graduate of the University of Richmond and the Columbia School of Journalism, he lives in New Jersey with his wife and foursome of kids.