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A general view of the atmosphere during Happy Gilmore 2 Presents: Disruptors Redefining The Game with The Pivot Podcast at Topgolf Midtown on July 16, 2025.
Unlike the original 1996 film shot in British Columbia, Happy Gilmore 2 was filmed entirely in New Jersey during fall 2024–shifting the narrative backdrop to a state known for its lush courses and suburban charm. The production wove scenes across nine counties, leveraging both historic private clubs and local range facilities to ground Happy’s return to golf in authenticity and character.
Here are the top 10 golf (and golf-adjacent) locations that made it all happen:
1. Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club (Bedminster)
This private, 54-hole facility was the heart of the film’s major tournament scenes. Known for its River, Meadow, and Forest courses, Fiddler’s Elbow was fully closed to members during shooting–an indication of how central it was to the production. The variety of hole designs allowed for both competitive drama and comedic chaos to unfold naturally on-camera.
2. Montclair Golf Club (Verona / West Orange)
A prestigious venue with roots going back to 1893, Montclair provided the perfect traditional backdrop. Its 36-hole layout and vintage architecture gave the film a dose of golf history, especially during scenes involving rival showdowns and clubhouse banter. Its rolling terrain also delivered plenty of visual punch.
3. Alpine Country Club (Demarest)
Used for transitional competition shots and minor player montages, Alpine Country Club was selected for its pristine fairways and proximity to urban hubs. While its screen time is limited, the course adds an upscale contrast to Happy’s scrappy underdog persona.
4. Forest Hill Field Club (Bloomfield)
This classic Donald Ross-designed track made a subtle but key appearance during scenes featuring rising players and crowd build-ups. Its tight fairways and bunker-heavy design offered strong visual detail without needing heavy editing.
5. Beacon Hill Country Club (Atlantic Highlands)
Perched near the Jersey Shore, Beacon Hill’s scenic elevation allowed for striking overhead shots and wide-angle tournament sequences. Its inclusion added coastal flavor to a mostly inland film.
6. Rockleigh Golf Course (Rockleigh)
A standout among the public courses featured, Rockleigh gave Happy Gilmore 2 a grounded feel. Used in practice montages and casual swing scenes, it reminded audiences that golf isn’t only for the country club elite.
7. Closter Golf Center (Closter)
This driving range brought raw energy to early scenes of Happy “finding his rhythm.” With minimal CGI and real swings on display, Closter Golf Center’s inclusion gave viewers a tangible look at the practice behind the power.
8. Essex Golf Center (Roseland)
Essex served as both a real-life practice facility and comedic backdrop. Several training scenes—with oddball gadgets, missed putts, and Happy’s trademark slapshots—were shot here, giving the sequel its signature chaotic tone.
9. Farmview Golf Center (Hackettstown)
This family-friendly mini-golf and practice range doubled as a comedic side venue. It was used for scenes involving Happy’s unconventional lessons and fan interactions, lending levity to the more intense competition sequences.
10. Ideal Beach (Middletown)
Yes, a beach. Happy takes his golf game seaside in one of the movie’s more memorable montages, practicing trick shots by launching balls into floating targets. This scene balances slapstick and skill, shot at Ideal Beach, a real public beachfront known for dog walks and shoreline views.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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