Caddyshack ending confusion
March 1, 2006 7:50 PM Subscribe
My Google searches have failed me. Help me understand the end of "Caddyshack."
I just saw "Caddyshack" again, it's been a while. But not being a golfer, the end is confusing me.
Let's recap: The principals are playing a golf match. The referee (Brian Doyle-Murray) says "Gentlemen, this match is all even. Final hole. Doctor, you are away." Dr. Beeper (Dan Resin) putts and misses, and makes his second putt. Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) putts, misses, and makes his second putt. Judge Smails (Ted Knight) takes out the old "Billy Baroo" and makes his putt. Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe) putts, the ball hangs on the edge of the hole until the course blows up, then the ball falls in, and everyone rejoices because the good guys win.
How is it they won? I don't know much about golf, but shouldn't this be a tie?
I just saw "Caddyshack" again, it's been a while. But not being a golfer, the end is confusing me.
Let's recap: The principals are playing a golf match. The referee (Brian Doyle-Murray) says "Gentlemen, this match is all even. Final hole. Doctor, you are away." Dr. Beeper (Dan Resin) putts and misses, and makes his second putt. Ty Webb (Chevy Chase) putts, misses, and makes his second putt. Judge Smails (Ted Knight) takes out the old "Billy Baroo" and makes his putt. Danny Noonan (Michael O'Keefe) putts, the ball hangs on the edge of the hole until the course blows up, then the ball falls in, and everyone rejoices because the good guys win.
How is it they won? I don't know much about golf, but shouldn't this be a tie?
Maybe Danny was on the green lying only 2 instead of Smails lying 3? (That is, Danny made it to the green in two shots and Smails three). So the good guys' pair goes up one and wins the match.
posted by skynxnex at 8:04 PM on March 1, 2006
posted by skynxnex at 8:04 PM on March 1, 2006
They put it behind a subscription wall, but Bill Simmons at ESPN.com addressed this question. If I recall correctly, his interpretation was that the additional bets that take place before the final shot (where Rodney Dangerfield ups the ante, and Ted Knight agrees) essentially wipe away the original bet and focus everything on the single remaining shot. Dangerfield says, "double or nothing he makes it," which doubles the original bet and focuses the bet on the final putt, not the entire game.
A different ESPN article addresses whether the shot was even legal at all -- did it fall into the hole in time?
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/closer/020726.html
In Reel Life: In the film's final scene, Danny putts for $80,000. He just misses -- the ball is maybe an inch from the cup. Then comes Carl's massive explosion. The earth rumbles, and after what seems like a long time, the ball falls into the cup.
In Real Life: Danny's ball comes to a stop for 12 seconds before the first explosion goes off, and it takes 54 seconds for the series of explosions to send the ball into the cup. According to Jeff Hall of the USGA, "In all likelihood, (rule) 16-2 kicks in." If so, Danny could be due a penalty stroke, and his side loses. But Lou, the caddy master, has been agreed upon as the referee, and his ruling is accepted by both sides. So the good guys do win.
posted by frogan at 8:14 PM on March 1, 2006
A different ESPN article addresses whether the shot was even legal at all -- did it fall into the hole in time?
http://espn.go.com/page2/s/closer/020726.html
In Reel Life: In the film's final scene, Danny putts for $80,000. He just misses -- the ball is maybe an inch from the cup. Then comes Carl's massive explosion. The earth rumbles, and after what seems like a long time, the ball falls into the cup.
In Real Life: Danny's ball comes to a stop for 12 seconds before the first explosion goes off, and it takes 54 seconds for the series of explosions to send the ball into the cup. According to Jeff Hall of the USGA, "In all likelihood, (rule) 16-2 kicks in." If so, Danny could be due a penalty stroke, and his side loses. But Lou, the caddy master, has been agreed upon as the referee, and his ruling is accepted by both sides. So the good guys do win.
posted by frogan at 8:14 PM on March 1, 2006
Yeah, Smails doubles it all on Danny's putt.
posted by mookieproof at 8:57 PM on March 1, 2006
posted by mookieproof at 8:57 PM on March 1, 2006
I'm surprised that the Caddyshack movie didn't follow rule 16-2. I would have expected more from a movie with a professional gopher actor. I believe that gopher was also in Terms of Endearment, but I can't find confirmation on IMDB.
posted by about_time at 4:28 PM on March 2, 2006
posted by about_time at 4:28 PM on March 2, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Astro Zombie at 7:54 PM on March 1, 2006