Owen Wilson’s new golf comedy series Stick on Apple TV+ has done more than entertain, it inspired the actor himself to pick up golf, and now he’s hooked. If a Hollywood star can fall in love with the game in his 50s, what’s stopping the rest of us? In this post, we’ll explore Owen Wilson’s journey from non-golfer to golf enthusiast, the relatable lessons from his experience, and how it can encourage all golfers, newbies, weekend warriors, and those who’ve drifted away, to get back out on the course. Grab your clubs (or dust them off) and let’s dive in!
From Hollywood to the First Tee: Owen’s Golf Awakening
Owen Wilson has built a 30-year film career full of memorable roles, but swinging a golf club was never part of his repertoire until recently. In fact, he grew up not playing golf even though his father and brothers were avid golfers. His excuse? “I was left-handed and there were only righty clubs around as a kid,” Wilson admits. It wasn’t until he landed the lead role in Stick, playing a washed-up former pro golfer named Pryce Cahill, that Wilson finally gave the game a shot.
To prepare for the role, Wilson took several golf lessons and practiced diligently, determined to look the part of a credible ex-PGA Tour player. Those lessons paid off in more ways than one. Once he felt confident enough, he ventured out for a real round with his Maui neighbor and friend, basketball Hall-of-Famer Don “Nellie” Nelson. Like many of us on the first tee, Wilson felt nervous with people watching. And yes, he shanked his very first drive in front of everyone. “You get a bit self-conscious with people watching on the first hole, and I tee off and shank it,” Wilson recalls. “Nellie’s like, ‘This is gonna be a long show, isn’t it?’”. Sound familiar? Even a movie star isn’t immune to first-tee jitters and blunders!
Instead of getting discouraged, Wilson laughed it off and kept playing. That day on the course marked the start of something special. After finally experiencing the ups and downs of golf, Owen Wilson discovered what so many golfers know: once the “golf bug” bites, you’re in for good. In his own words, learning golf for the show “kind of connected me with my dad. He would always say, ‘You know, you’ve got to pick up this game,’ and I’d have that echoing in my head as I was learning.” Through Stick, Wilson not only learned to swing a club, he fulfilled a longtime wish of his late father and unlocked a new passion.
Stick: A Story of Second Chances (On-Screen and Off)
The comedy series Stick follows Wilson’s character, Pryce Cahill, a 50-something former tour pro who burned out after a spectacular on-course meltdown and had to walk away from the game. Years later, life hasn’t been kind to Cahill, he’s divorced, scraping by working at a sporting goods store, and wondering if his best days are behind him. Enter Santi, a teenage golf phenom (played by Peter Dager) who gives Cahill an unexpected shot at redemption. Cahill becomes a mentor to the kid, hitting the road with him to chase golf glory together. It’s a classic tale of a washed-up athlete seeking a second act, and finding it through helping someone else.
What’s remarkable is how this on-screen story mirrored Owen Wilson’s real-life connection to golf. Stick’s creator, Jason Keller, originally dreamed up the plot as a way to explore what happens when a pro athlete’s first career ends and they need to find a new path. In a way, Wilson’s own “new path” was learning golf at age 56 for the first time. Just as Pryce Cahill gets a new lease on life through mentoring a young player, Wilson found a fresh enthusiasm by taking up his dad’s favorite sport.
The show also cleverly blurs fiction and reality by bringing real golf figures into the mix. Major champions Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, and Wyndham Clark are among the pro golfers who make cameo appearances as themselves in Stick, adding authenticity and fun for golf fans. (Yes, you might spot Morikawa giving a swing tip or two!). Even legendary CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz pops up, lending the series a “who’s who” of golf. All these cameos underscore a larger point: golf is a lifelong community. Once you’re in the circle, whether as a pro, an amateur, or a beginner like Wilson, you’ll find the game welcomes you.
Catching the Golf Bug: Owen Wilson Becomes One of Us
Perhaps the most heartwarming outcome of Wilson’s Stick adventure is that he didn’t just act like a golfer, he became one. Filming took place on actual golf courses (mostly in Vancouver), and during downtime Wilson would sneak in extra holes with the crew and co-stars instead of sitting in his trailer. “Vancouver is beautiful in the summer and we were filming on courses, so there wasn’t a lot of, ‘Let’s go back to the trailer and sit around,’” Wilson says. “It was, ‘Let’s go over to the 7th hole and play that par-3 again.’” That’s a feeling every golf lover understands: when you’re on a course, it’s hard to resist playing another hole (or three).
Wilson also soaked up advice from the pros around him. Collin Morikawa, who cameoed in the show, gave pointers and even asked Wilson a question that every golfer should consider: “What’s the best club in your bag?” Wilson had never thought about it, being so new to the game. On the spot, he decided to answer confidently. “I answered decisively: ‘My putter,’” Wilson recounts. Morikawa approved: “I could tell he was like, ‘O.K., you commit to something and that’s the way to do it.’” It’s a small insight, but an important one, confidence and commitment go a long way in golf. By claiming the putter as his best friend, Wilson showed he was developing a golfer’s mindset.
Fast forward to today, and Owen Wilson is now a bona fide golf addict. He spends a lot of his time in Maui, where he’s become a fixture at local golf courses, often teeing it up casually with friends like Don Nelson and joining pick-up rounds with visitors who come for the PGA Tour’s annual stop on the island. In just two years, Wilson transformed from a total novice to a guy who can’t get enough of the sport. If that’s not inspirational, what is?
The takeaway: Golf can hook anyone, at any stage of life. You don’t have to be a child prodigy or a lifelong player to fall in love with the game. Sometimes all it takes is one good reason to start (in Wilson’s case, a work project), and you might discover a passion you never knew you had.
Lessons We Can All Learn from Owen’s Golf Journey
Owen Wilson’s late-blooming golf obsession carries some encouraging messages for all golfers. Whether you’re a seasoned player who hasn’t swung a club in years or a newbie curious about trying golf for the first time, here are a few takeaways from Wilson’s story:
It’s Never Too Late to Start: Wilson started learning golf in his mid-50s, proof that you can begin (or begin again) at any age. Golf is truly a lifelong sport, and there’s always time to pick it up. Your future self might thank you for starting now!
Don’t Be Afraid of the First Tee: Even Owen felt self-conscious and hit a horrible shot in front of onlookers. Guess what? We’ve all been there. The key is to laugh it off and keep playing. The first-tee jitters fade as you gain experience, especially if you prepare with a bit of practice or a lesson beforehand.
Embrace the Learning Process: Taking lessons was crucial for Wilson to get comfortable. Instead of stumbling alone, he got guidance from coaches and co-stars. Golf has a learning curve for everyone, so be patient with yourself. A good instructor can make the journey more enjoyable by helping you build solid fundamentals and confidence.
Connect Through the Game: For Wilson, golf became a way to connect with his late father’s memory and bond with family and friends. Golf is as social as it is personal, it gives you quality time with buddies or loved ones out on the course. If you’ve been away from the game, consider it an opportunity to reconnect with people (and maybe make new friends at the club).
Find What Works for You: When Morikawa quizzed Owen about his best club, it taught him to play to his strengths (he chose his putter). In golf, everyone has different skills, maybe you’re deadly accurate with your 7-iron or you crush your driver. Lean into your favorite club or aspect of the game. It helps build confidence and joy whenever you play.
These lessons remind us that golf is a journey, not a destination. Wilson’s experience shows that the journey can be just as rewarding whether you’re playing in a Hollywood production or at your local muni course.
Ready for Your Own Golf Comeback?
By now, you might be feeling that itch to get back out on the fairways, or to finally take the plunge if you’ve never played. Owen Wilson’s story is a testament to golf’s magnetic pull. It’s a game that challenges and charms us, frustrates us at times (remember that shank!) but also rewards us with moments of pure satisfaction. Perhaps most importantly, it’s fun. As Stick portrays and Wilson discovered, golf offers camaraderie, personal growth, and even a bit of redemption when life calls for a fresh start.
If you’ve been away from golf for a while, consider this your friendly nudge to give it another go. The game will happily welcome you back, no matter if you left due to a busy life, a slump in form, or simply other interests. Start by hitting a few balls at the driving range, calling up a friend for a casual round, or watching a bit of Stick for inspiration. You might find that the swing comes back to you quicker than expected, and if not, that’s okay too.
Teeing It Up Again, We’re Here to Help
Getting back into the swing can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Remember how Owen Wilson took lessons to kickstart his golf journey? That’s a great blueprint for any of us. A lesson or two can boost your confidence and shake off the rust, making the game more enjoyable from the get-go. If Wilson had a coach helping him go from newbie to golf junkie, imagine what a little guidance could do for you.
At TeachMe.to, we’re all about making that first step easier. Our platform connects you with knowledgeable, friendly golf instructors near you, so you can book a lesson on your schedule and at your skill level. Whether you want to fix your slice, learn how to putt like a pro (maybe your putter will become your favorite club, too!), or simply get comfortable playing again, we’ve got you covered. Think of it as your personal shortcut to finding the joy in golf, just as Owen Wilson did.
So why not give it a try? Dust off those clubs, channel a bit of that laid-back Owen Wilson vibe, and head out for a lesson or a round. Golf is waiting with open arms, and who knows, you just might catch the golf bug all over again. Book a lesson through TeachMe.to when you’re ready, and let’s make your comeback to the game as fun and fulfilling as it can be. After all, if a Hollywood actor can learn to love golf in his fifties, there’s no reason you can’t rediscover why you loved it in the first place. It’s time to tee it up and write your own second act on the course. Good luck and happy golfing!
