Filming Location: The Golf Course in Caddyshack

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Quick Answer

• “Caddyshack” found its iconic greens and fairways primarily at the now-demolished Rolling Hills Country Club in Davie, Florida.
• A supporting role was played by the Golf Club of Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida, for some key scenes.
• The main setting, Rolling Hills, is no longer standing, having been replaced by homes.

Who This Is For

• Die-hard fans of “Caddyshack” looking to walk (or at least drive by) the hallowed grounds where comedy gold was struck.
• Golfers who appreciate the history of the sport and its place in pop culture, curious about where this legendary flick was shot.

What Golf Course Was Caddyshack Filmed At: First Checks

• Verify the primary filming location: Make sure you’ve got Rolling Hills Country Club in Davie, Florida, locked in as the main stage. This is where most of the mayhem unfolded.
• Confirm secondary filming locations: Double-check that the Golf Club of Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida, is on your radar for those other crucial shots.
• Research the fate of Rolling Hills Country Club: Get the scoop on its demolition. It’s a bit of a bummer, but good to know.
• Look for official production details: Poke around for any specific hole numbers, clubhouse details, or practice areas mentioned in interviews or behind-the-scenes docs. Sometimes the smallest details make the biggest difference.

Step-by-Step Plan for Finding Caddyshack Filming Locations

Uncovering the Greens: Finding the Primary Golf Course for Caddyshack

1. Action: Identify the main country club used for filming.

What to look for: Rolling Hills Country Club in Davie, Florida. This was the sprawling estate where the bulk of the film’s iconic moments were captured. Think of it as the spiritual home of Carl Spackler’s gopher war.
Mistake: Assuming that because it’s a golf movie, it was filmed at just one, pristine location. Hollywood often spreads the love (and the shooting schedule) across multiple spots.

2. Action: Pinpoint any secondary filming locations that contributed to the movie’s visual landscape.

What to look for: The Golf Club of Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida. This location was utilized for specific scenes, adding to the variety of the golf course scenery. It’s like finding a hidden bunker shot – adds depth!
Mistake: Overlooking the smaller, supporting locations. Sometimes a specific tee box or a distinctive water hazard at a secondary site is crucial for piecing together the complete filming puzzle.

3. Action: Investigate the history and current status of Rolling Hills Country Club.

What to look for: Information confirming its demolition and subsequent development into a residential area. It’s a stark reminder that even legendary movie sets can change with time.
Mistake: Believing that the original golf course still stands exactly as it did during filming. Many classic film locations are either renovated, repurposed, or, sadly, gone altogether.

4. Action: Seek out interviews or articles from the cast and crew.

What to look for: Anecdotes or factual details that pinpoint specific holes, clubhouses, or even quirky course features that served as backdrops. These firsthand accounts are gold.
Mistake: Relying solely on unofficial fan forums or outdated wikis. While they can be a starting point, official sources and direct quotes from the filmmakers offer the most reliable information.

Course Strategy: Navigating Caddyshack Filming Location Details

5. Action: Examine still images and clips from the movie.

What to look for: Distinctive architectural features of clubhouses, unique landscaping, or specific types of trees that might match archival photos of the actual golf courses. This is where you can play detective.
Mistake: Focusing only on the overall layout of the course. Sometimes a specific, memorable element like a bridge, a fountain, or a particular bunker design is the key identifier.

6. Action: Cross-reference information from multiple reputable sources.

What to look for: Consistency in the reported locations across film history sites, interviews, and documentaries. If multiple credible sources point to the same place, you’re likely on the right track.
Mistake: Taking the first piece of information you find as gospel. In the world of movie trivia, misinformation can spread like a bad slice.

7. Action: Consider the logistical aspects of filming.

What to look for: Information about how the production team utilized the existing course infrastructure. Were they able to film during off-hours? Did they have to make significant alterations? This context helps understand why certain locations were chosen.
Mistake: Forgetting that filming a movie requires more than just a pretty backdrop. The practicalities of production often dictate location choices.

Common Mistakes in Identifying Caddyshack Filming Locations

• Mistake: Believing the entire movie was filmed at one single golf course.

Why it matters: This leads to an incomplete understanding of the production and can send you on a wild goose chase looking for features that don’t exist at the primary site. It’s like thinking you can win the Masters by only practicing your putting.
Fix: Actively seek out information on multiple filming sites. Reliable sources often mention both Rolling Hills Country Club and the Golf Club of Florida.

• Mistake: Assuming a location still exists in its original state.

Why it matters: Golf courses, like any property, undergo changes. Clubhouses get renovated, landscaping is altered, and sometimes entire courses are redesigned or even demolished. This makes direct visual comparison challenging.
Fix: Verify the current status and appearance of any identified location. Look for recent photos, news articles, or satellite imagery to see how it compares to its cinematic past.

• Mistake: Relying on fan theories without factual backing.

Why it matters: The internet is a breeding ground for speculation. Without cross-referencing, you might end up believing that “Caddyshack” was filmed at Pebble Beach or St. Andrews, which is pure fantasy.
Fix: Cross-reference fan claims with official records, interviews with the filmmakers, or reputable film history websites. If Rodney Dangerfield isn’t quoted saying it, be skeptical.

• Mistake: Focusing only on exterior shots of the golf course.

Why it matters: Interior scenes, such as the clubhouse bar or specific offices, might have been filmed at different locations or on sets, even if the exterior shots were at a real course. You don’t want to miss key parts of the puzzle.
Fix: Broaden your search to include all types of scenes. Look for details about where the interior shots were filmed, which might include soundstages or other buildings on or near the golf courses.

• Mistake: Underestimating the impact of editing and set dressing.

Why it matters: Filmmakers can make a location look significantly different than it is in reality. Clever camera angles, lighting, and added props can transform a regular golf course into the chaotic world of Bushwood.
Fix: Be aware that what you see on screen is a curated version of reality. While the locations are real, the presentation is designed for the film. Look for the fundamental, unchanging elements of the course.

• Mistake: Confusing filming locations with the fictional “Bushwood Country Club.”

Why it matters: Bushwood is a fictional entity created for the movie. While it’s inspired by real golf clubs, it doesn’t correspond to one single, real-world location.
Fix: Understand that “Bushwood” is a composite. The filming locations provided the tangible settings that brought this fictional club to life.

FAQ

• What was the name of the primary country club where “Caddyshack” was filmed?

The main golf course used for filming “Caddyshack” was Rolling Hills Country Club, located in Davie, Florida. This is where most of the iconic scenes, including the interactions with the caddies and the general mayhem, took place.

• Was “Caddyshack” filmed at a real golf course, or were sets used?

Yes, “Caddyshack” was filmed at real golf courses. The primary location was Rolling Hills Country Club, and some additional scenes were shot at the Golf Club of Florida. While some set dressing and minor adjustments were likely made for production, the core of the film utilized existing golf course environments.

• Is Rolling Hills Country Club still open today?

No, Rolling Hills Country Club is no longer open. The property was demolished to make way for a residential development, a common fate for many older golf clubs. So, you can’t exactly book a tee time there anymore.

• Can you still visit the filming locations from “Caddyshack”?

You can visit the general area where Rolling Hills Country Club once stood, which is now a residential neighborhood in Davie, Florida. The Golf Club of Florida in Pompano Beach, Florida, is still an operational golf course and can be visited if you’re looking for a round on a location with a tangential connection to the movie.

• Did the filmmakers build the fictional Bushwood Country Club from scratch?

No, the filmmakers did not build Bushwood Country Club from scratch. They utilized existing golf courses, primarily Rolling Hills and the Golf Club of Florida, and adapted them for the film. Bushwood is the fictional name given to the composite of these real-world locations within the movie’s narrative.

• Where were the interior scenes of the clubhouse filmed?

While the exteriors of the clubhouse were primarily filmed at Rolling Hills Country Club, some interior scenes might have been shot on soundstages or at other locations to facilitate production. The exact details for every interior shot can be a bit murky, but the overall setting was grounded in real golf club environments.

• Are there any other notable golf courses associated with “Caddyshack” filming?

While Rolling Hills Country Club and the Golf Club of Florida are the most prominent filming locations, some sources suggest that a few additional shots or practice areas might have been filmed at other nearby facilities. However, these are generally considered minor contributions compared to the main two sites.