For a figure like Young Tom Morris, there’s always a threat that time will leave him a little colourless—nothing more than a name you vaguely recognize, but with all but the most prominent details (“he won some Open Championships, right?”) washed out with history. He didn’t live into his 80s like his father, Old Tom…in fact, he didn’t live past 24. When he died on Christmas Day in 1875, professional golf was still in its infancy. Over time, of course, at least a dozen legendary golfers have come and gone, the centre of power in global shifted across an ocean, and it’s no surprise that names like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods are going to resonate far more with American fans.

But there’s something about Young Tom Morris that—when you fill in those colours—is both fascinating and heartbreaking. He was the greatest golfer of his time, a designation that includes his father, and despite his brief time in the spotlight, he completely transformed the world of golf and set the stage for the modern game. He was, in fact, the first true modern professional golfer, achieving a celebrity independent of his club, setting his own financial terms, and building up an impressive store of wealth considering the times and his own station in life. More than all that, he was a consummate winner.

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When the details are plucked from the fog of history, Young Tom comes to life. In this week’s Local Knowledge podcast, we explore the man as he was, through his cockiness bordering on arrogance in the face of a sport dominated by wealthy gentlemen, to his incredible rise to the top at a shockingly young age, to the heartbreak of the fate that befell his wife and child and then, not long after, Young Tom himself. Compared to contemporary figures like Woods, source material on this original superstar is scant, and it’s a testament to his legend that despite the intervention of the decades, we can still see him with great clarity—golf’s tragic genius.

Listen to the Local Knowledge episode below, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The post Young Tom Morris: Golf’s Tragic Genius appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The golf film canon is a short, mostly infamous body of work. “Caddyshack” is the unchallenged monarch of the kingdom, a movie that’s quoted daily on golf courses despite its 1980 release. There’s a precipitous drop-off from there — “Follow the Sun,” “Dead Solid Perfect,” “Tin Cup,” and “The Greatest Game Ever Played” — with every other film on the sport a disaster. Depending on your age, the standing of “Happy Gilmore” varies. And don’t get us started on “Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius.” There’s already enough anger on the Internet.

There’s a simple reason for this scarcity: it’s really, really hard to make a good golf film. Case in point: “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” Great book, a unique narrative with historical figures, phenomenal cast in Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron, beautiful cinematography; it seemed to hit all the requisite factors for a winning formula. And yet, it all went to hell because Damon — playing a supposed amateur prodigy — swung like this:

So whenever a golf movie is released, we try not to get our hopes up. Yet, “Tommy’s Honour” has been an exception.

Based on the award-winning eponymous book, the story centers on Old and Young Tom Morris, the legendary father-son Scottish duo that changed the face of golf in the late 19th century. Betweenthe clips that have been released, along with director Jason Connery joining us to talk about the film, we hoped “Tommy’s Honour” could be the rare triumph in the genre. Set for an April 14th release, we decided to check the status of early reviews.

And according to critics, the movie lives up to the hype.

“Tommy’s Honour” currently owns a 77 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a figure indicating positive reviews. For context, “Caddyshack” is at 76 percent, “Tin Cup” at 69 percent and “Happy Gilmore” 60 percent.

“An engrossing and accessible celebration of the game’s modern origins, enhanced by striking locations and a standout cast, led by Scottish actors Peter Mullan and Jack Lowden,” wrote Hollywood Reporter’s Justin Lowe. Added Ray Greene of The Wrap, “The rare sports biography that keeps its eye on the ball of character and milieu.”

There are a few negative reviews, those tending to point to the movie’s slow pace. Nevertheless, anything in the 70s on the TomatoMeter is generally considered a success.

“Tommy’s Honour” is set for limited U.S. release, hitting a select theaters this Friday.

Ed’s note: Golf Digest Middle East has checked with the two major cinema companies in the UAE and it sadly appears we’ll have to wait for Tommy’s Honour to be released online.

The post The reviews are in for ‘Tommy’s Honour’ and the critics are saying… appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.