You know those movies that just sort of exist in the background of late-night cable or the deep trenches of a streaming service? Hole in One, the 2010 golf comedy, is exactly that. It's not Caddyshack. It’s definitely not Happy Gilmore. But for a specific subset of people who grew up on the raunchy, low-budget humor of the early 2010s, it’s a weirdly persistent piece of nostalgia.
Golf is usually stuffy. This movie isn't.
Directed by Nathan Thomas Milliner, the Hole in One film (often titled American Pie Presents: Hole in One in international markets despite having no official link to the franchise) follows a talented but arrogant golfer named Eric Applebaum. He's a med student. He's a jerk. And he loses everything in a high-stakes golf bet to a bunch of "frat boys" who are actually professional ringers.
The plot is thin. It's basically a delivery mechanism for slapstick, gross-out humor, and a surprising amount of actual golf footage.
What Actually Happens in the Hole in One Film?
Eric, played by Steve Talley, is the kind of character you love to hate until he gets humbled. Talley is basically playing a version of the Dwight Stifler character he perfected in the American Pie direct-to-video sequels. If you’ve seen The Naked Mile or Beta House, you know exactly the energy he brings. It's high-octane arrogance.
After losing his scholarship and his dignity in a rigged game, Eric has to find a way to win it all back. He teams up with a ragtag group of misfits. It's a classic underdog story, but instead of training montages in a gym, it’s mostly drinking and bad behavior on the green.
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The stakes are goofy. The humor is "of its time," which is a polite way of saying it relies heavily on the tropes of 2000-era teen comedies. But honestly? It works if you're in the right mood. There's a certain charm to how unapologetically dumb it is.
The Cast and the "Stifler" Connection
Steve Talley is the engine here. Without him, the movie probably would have vanished completely. He has this specific ability to make a total "bro" character somewhat likable. Or at least watchable.
Supporting him is David Lawrence (famous as Lazer from Dodgeball) and Dean West. The chemistry isn't Oscar-worthy, obviously. But they feel like a group of guys who actually hang out at a muni course on a Saturday morning.
People often get confused about the branding. You might see this movie listed as National Lampoon’s Hole in One or under the American Pie umbrella in some regions. This was a common tactic in the 2000s—slapping a recognizable brand name on an independent comedy to boost DVD sales.
In reality, it’s a standalone flick. It was filmed mostly in and around South Carolina, which gives it a specific, humid, Southern golf course vibe that feels more authentic than a Hollywood backlot.
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Why Does This Movie Keep Popping Up?
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a movie that has a pretty low rating on IMDb. It’s the "comfort food" factor. Sometimes you don't want a complex Christopher Nolan plot. You want a movie where someone gets hit in the groin with a Titleist.
- The Golf Niche: There aren't that many golf movies. Once you’ve watched Tin Cup and The Legend of Bagger Vance, you start looking for anything that features a fairway.
- Streaming Algorithms: Because it's a cheap license, the Hole in One film frequently appears on free, ad-supported streaming services like Tubi or Pluto TV.
- The Nostalgia Loop: Men of a certain age remember these "frat-coms" from their college days. It's a time capsule of 2010 fashion (think oversized polos and cargo shorts).
The Technical Side of the Golf
One thing that surprisingly doesn't suck is the golf itself. Often, in movies, actors have terrible swings. It ruins the immersion. In Hole in One, you can tell some of the performers have actually held a club before.
The cinematography captures the "beauty" of the course, even if the script is busy making jokes about bodily functions. It captures that specific frustration of a missed putt or a drive that hooks into the woods. Every golfer knows that pain.
Critical Reception vs. Reality
Critics hated it. Let's be real. It sits at a very low percentage on most review aggregators. They called it derivative. They called it crude.
But critics aren't the target audience. The target audience is someone who just finished a round of 18, had three beers, and wants to laugh at something that doesn't require brain power.
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It’s a movie that knows exactly what it is. It isn't trying to win an Indie Spirit award. It’s trying to be the cinematic equivalent of a hot dog at the turn.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night
If you're actually going to sit down and watch the Hole in One film, here is how to handle it so you don't feel like you've wasted 90 minutes of your life:
- Adjust Expectations: Do not expect The Greatest Game Ever Played. This is a raunchy comedy. If you don't like American Pie style humor, skip it.
- Check the Title: Search for both "Hole in One (2010)" and "National Lampoon’s Hole in One" on your streaming apps. They are the same movie.
- Look for the Cameos: There are several faces from the 2000s comedy circuit that pop up. See if you can spot the overlap with other "straight-to-DVD" legends.
- Watch the Swing: If you're a golf nerd, pay attention to the form. It's better than you'd expect for a low-budget comedy.
Don't overthink it. It's a movie about a bet, a girl, and a very difficult shot. Sometimes, that's all you need for a Tuesday night. If you're looking for where to find it right now, check the "Free with Ads" section of your favorite platform—that's usually where it lives.
Next Steps for the Viewer:
Identify which version of the film is available in your region, as the "National Lampoon" branding varies by territory. If you enjoy Steve Talley's performance, look into his work in the American Pie sequels to see the evolution of his "lovable jerk" persona. For those interested in the filming locations, the movie provides a decent look at the lush greenery of the Carolinas, which serves as a backdrop for the chaotic comedy.