How I Would've Done It

Netflix's 'Happy Gilmore: Hole 2'

I know Netflix's upcoming Happy Gilmore sequel will likely stick to its roots—a hilarious, offbeat adventure with Happy getting into wild new situations. I get it. The original film is iconic for its mix of absurd humor and heart, and it's a tough formula to mess with. But if it were up to me, Happy Gilmore 2 would go in a different direction. Sure, there would still be humor, but this time around, I'd aim for a more heartfelt, underdog sports drama. A story where Happy isn't the wild, unpredictable hero, but rather the mentor passing on his legacy.

Enter Jacob McCree.

Jacob is a high schooler who just moved into town—a quiet, brooding kid with a bit of a rough reputation. He doesn't talk much, he doesn't hang out with others, and he's got his share of personal struggles that he keeps bottled up. But there's one thing he's passionate about: sports. He's played just about every game you can think of—football, basketball, soccer—but none of them stuck the way he wanted. And so, here he is in a new town, feeling like an outsider yet again.

One night, Jacob sneaks into the local driving range after hours. Maybe it's to blow off steam, or maybe he's just looking for something to occupy his time. Either way, it turns out the kid has a serious talent for golf. Without knowing it, he's channeling his anger, frustration, and ambition into some seriously impressive drives. The kind of raw, natural skill that Happy Gilmore once had.

What Jacob doesn't realize is that someone's watching him from the shadows—none other than Happy Gilmore himself.

Now, in this version, Happy's life has calmed down a bit. He's older, wiser, and still happily married to Virginia Venit, the same woman who stood by his side during his rise to fame. But the golf legend hasn't been in the spotlight much since his prime. He's still got the fire in him, but he's not the same wild, angry guy who punched out Bob Barker. Life has mellowed him, but it hasn't dulled his passion for the game.

Seeing Jacob hit those balls with such raw power and untapped potential, Happy feels something he hasn't felt in years—excitement for the sport. Maybe even a sense of purpose. He approaches Jacob, who's ready to bolt, thinking he's in trouble. But instead of kicking him out, Happy sees an opportunity: he offers to train Jacob, to help him turn this raw talent into something extraordinary.

Jacob's resistant at first. He doesn't trust easily, especially not some washed-up golf star he barely knows. But something about Happy's offer sticks with him. Maybe it's the way Happy talks about golf like it's more than just a game. Maybe it's because, deep down, Jacob is desperate for someone to believe in him. Whatever the reason, he agrees, and thus begins their journey.

This is where the heart of the film lies: the mentor-mentee relationship between Happy and Jacob. It's not just about teaching the technical aspects of the sport. Happy recognizes that Jacob's biggest obstacle isn't his swing—it's his mindset. The kid's carrying a lot of anger and pain, and Happy knows a thing or two about that. As he trains Jacob, he also helps him confront his own demons. It's the kind of emotional growth we don't typically see in a Happy Gilmore movie, but it's what would make this sequel stand out.

Of course, this wouldn't be a Happy Gilmore film without some comedy and colorful characters. Enter Shooter McGavin.

Yes, the Shooter McGavin—the arrogant, villainous golfer from the original film. In this version, Shooter has gone through his own changes. He's older, humbled by years of being outshined by Happy's success. He's still got that smug attitude, but time has knocked him down a peg or two. He's been off the radar for a while, but Happy knows if Jacob is going to have a shot at winning the upcoming All-American Golf Tournament, he'll need to enlist Shooter's help—specifically, his knowledge of the mental game and precision techniques.

Jacob and Happy seek Shooter out, and at first, Shooter is resistant. He and Happy still have a rocky relationship, after all. But eventually, Shooter agrees, seeing this as a way to redeem himself and regain some relevance in the golf world. His return adds an interesting dynamic to the training process. He and Happy bicker, of course, but underneath all the bravado, there's a mutual respect that's grown over the years.

Then there's Emilia, the popular girl at Jacob's high school. Emilia is more than just a love interest. Jacob admires her from afar, but he's too shy and too preoccupied with his struggles to approach her. Through his training with Happy, Jacob gains confidence—not just on the golf course, but in his personal life. Emilia notices the change in him, and the two slowly develop a relationship. It's not a forced romantic subplot, but rather an organic part of Jacob's personal growth.

As the tournament approaches, Jacob's skills improve, but the pressure mounts. There are doubts—can he really do this? Is he good enough? Happy, Shooter, and even Emilia help him through it, but ultimately, it's Jacob who has to believe in himself.

The tournament itself would be the big emotional climax of the movie. Unlike the chaotic, comedy-driven competitions in the first film, this one is more intense, more heartfelt. The stakes are high, but so is the emotional payoff. We'd see Jacob not just as an underdog, but as a fully-formed character who's learned from his mentors and overcome his personal struggles. Whether he wins or loses the tournament is secondary to the journey he's taken to get there.

In the end, Happy Gilmore 2 isn't just about golf. It's about mentorship, personal growth, and finding your own path. It's about the next generation stepping up, with the guidance of those who came before them. It would still have that comedic edge—because, let's face it, Happy and Shooter can't help but bring some laughs—but at its core, it would be a heartwarming sports drama. Something different, something meaningful.