Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore has remained embedded in golf culture since its 1996 release.
So much so, that a sequel came out in 2025 featuring all of golf’s biggest superstars, including Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy.
Sandler played a failed hockey player trying to make it in golf, bringing an aggressive attitude and hockey traits into a gentleman’s game. Gilmore would famously take a run-up before hitting ridiculously long drives off the tee.
But this character wasn’t pulled out of thin air. Sandler grew up in New Hampshire and was surrounded by friends who were far more used to being on the ice than the fairway, so when they did play golf, they brought a unique style of play.
And one person in particular was responsible for inspiring the Happy Gilmore character.
The man who inspired Happy Gilmore
The inspiration for Happy Gilmore was Sandler’s childhood friend, Kyle McDonough. McDonough wasn’t a struggling amateur, however. He was a professional athlete who played in the British Hockey League.
When playing golf with McDonough, Sandler noticed that he couldn’t help but bring his hockey skills to the game. McDonough would sometimes take a running start to the ball as Gilmore later did, and would hit a kind of slap-shot with the golf club.
And it was actually Sandler’s dad who first thought this swing could be translated to comedy. According to Time Magazine, he said, “There’s something funny in there”.
Little did he know that he’d just inspired a cult classic.
Where is Kyle McDonough now?
McDonough went on to have a long and successful career in the world of professional Ice Hockey.
He was once a star at the University of Vermont, leading the team to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1988.
After college, he spent 11 professional seasons in Europe, taking his talents to Denmark, Sweden, Scotland and more.
His final season was in 2000, as he retired with Frisk Asker in Norway. He was then inducted into the UVM Athletic Hall of Fame and the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey. McDonough is now coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels.
And even better, he’s still friends with Sandler! He once said in an interview with British Ice Hockey that he’s treated like a “King” by the Hollywood star!
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