By MyGolf.World Editorial Team
📅 July 21, 2025
When Adam Sandler first heard “Happy Gilmore 2” chants on the street, he laughed them off—until he didn’t. In a sit-down with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America, the comic legend revealed how three decades of fan passion, evolving golf culture, and family life convinced him it was time to re-strap on those oversize spikes and revisit his most beloved role ABC News.
“Maybe It’s Time”—From Reluctance to Revival
“For 28 years, I was like, ‘What are you talking about? No.’ And then all of a sudden I was like, ‘Maybe.’”
That “maybe” came after dinner-table moments with his children—and endless encounters on the street. Sandler realized that Happy wasn’t just a character; he was a cultural touchstone for anyone who’s ever picked up a driver out of frustration or sheer fun ABC News.
Golf Life, Version 2.0
In the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer, we meet an older, thicker, and widowed Happy—now a devoted father of five, raising money for his daughter’s ballet dreams in Paris. Gone are the manic one-liners; in are moments of genuine humanity woven into the green-jacket chase:
- Family First
Sandler cast his real-life wife Jackie and daughters Sunny and Sadie, grounding the film in authenticity. “They’d be on the couch watching me on Netflix,” he laughed. “Sometimes they’d stare like, ‘How did you do this?’” ABC News. - Cameo Craze
From Bad Bunny as Happy’s Caddy to Travis Kelce’s cheeky waiter, the sequel leans into golf’s celebrity crossover—highlighting how the sport has become pop-culture’s latest playground.
What Golf Culture Means to Sandler
Reflecting on golf’s evolution since 1996, Sandler sees a sport more accessible—and more varied—than ever:
“Back then, golf felt exclusive. Today it’s everywhere: simulators in garages, TikTok swing tips, even celebrities trying to break 90. It’s lost a little of its snootiness, and I love that.”
He credits Netflix’s global reach for bringing new eyes to the fairway—where Happy’s unorthodox swing and everyman charm still resonate with anyone who’s ever needed an “I-don’t-know-what-I’m-doing” break from life’s pressures.
The Lighter Side of “Dad Chic”
Strahan quipped that Happy’s wardrobe is pure “Dad Chic,” to which Sandler replied: “It’s comfort, what fits—and sometimes that’s a plaid shirt two sizes too big.” That self-awareness underlines the film’s core: you can outdrive your demons, but you can’t outdrive yourself—so might as well have fun trying.
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