7 Unexpected Canadian Filming Locations Where Happy Gilmore Found His Swing (And Where The Sequel Is Headed)

For nearly three decades, fans have assumed the iconic, slapstick golf comedy *Happy Gilmore* was filmed across the United States, following the titular character on his whirlwind PGA Tour journey. However, as of December 18, 2025, the truth remains one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets for a generation of movie lovers: the entire 1996 Adam Sandler classic was shot exclusively in the picturesque, golf-rich landscapes of British Columbia, Canada. This deliberate cinematic illusion transformed the Vancouver Lower Mainland into the various US golf tournaments and locales, a fascinating contrast to the new, highly-anticipated sequel which has definitively moved its production south of the border. The film, directed by Dennis Dugan and produced by Robert Simonds, is a masterclass in location scouting, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of Western Canada with the story's American setting. From the grand clubhouse where Happy first met Shooter McGavin to the dilapidated retirement home where his beloved Grandma resided, nearly every memorable scene from the sports comedy was captured within a tight radius of Vancouver.

The True Canadian Home of Happy Gilmore: British Columbia's Lower Mainland

The decision to film *Happy Gilmore* in Canada was primarily driven by cost-effectiveness, a common practice for Hollywood productions in the 1990s. The region offered a diverse range of scenery that could convincingly double for various American states, from the lush, manicured greens of the golf courses to the urban and suburban backdrops needed for Happy's life. The entire production was centered around the Lower Mainland, utilizing locations in Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Coquitlam, and Furry Creek. The film's geographical deception is a key part of its enduring trivia. While Happy’s journey takes him from a local qualifier to the Tour Championship, the real-world locations were only a short drive from each other. This tight logistical footprint allowed for efficient filming and helped keep the movie's production budget lean.

Key Filming Locations in British Columbia

• Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club: The main golf course location.
• Riverview Hospital (West Lawn Building): The retirement home.
• Furry Creek Golf and Country Club: Used for tournament scenes.
• Riverway Golf Course: Another course used for competition scenes.
• Stanley Park: Used for various exterior and establishing shots in Vancouver.
• Capilano Road Area: The location of the hockey tryout rink.
• Pitt Meadows: The city hosting the main golf course.

The Legendary Golf Courses You Can Still Play Today

The heart of *Happy Gilmore* is the golf course, and the production team chose some of British Columbia’s most stunning and challenging venues to host the fictional AT&T Invitational and other tournament stops. Unlike many movie sets, these are real, public courses that fans can visit and play, walking in the footsteps of Adam Sandler’s iconic character.

Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club: The Main Tournament Site

The most recognizable location in the film is undoubtedly the Swaneset Bay Resort and Country Club in Pitt Meadows, BC. This course served as the primary setting for the final, dramatic tournament—the fictional AT&T Invitational. The magnificent, columned clubhouse, which features prominently in scenes involving Happy, his love interest Virginia Venit, and his nemesis Shooter McGavin, is the real clubhouse at Swaneset. The course itself is a destination for golf enthusiasts, boasting two 18-hole courses—the Resort Course and the Links Course—both designed by PGA legend Lee Trevino, who also famously had a cameo in the film. The lush, mountainous backdrop seen throughout the final tournament is the actual scenery surrounding the Pitt River Valley, providing a stunning, cinematic look that helped elevate the film's production value.

Furry Creek Golf and Country Club

Another course used to represent various tournament stops on the pro circuit was the Furry Creek Golf and Country Club. Located north of Vancouver on the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, Furry Creek offers dramatic coastal views and challenging terrain. The course’s unique, rugged beauty was utilized to convey the different states and courses Happy was traveling to, adding visual variety to his cross-country tour without ever leaving BC. This location is particularly famous for its breathtaking views of Howe Sound.

Riverway Golf Course

Located in Burnaby, the Riverway Golf Course was also used for some of the earlier tournament scenes. This course, known for its challenging water hazards and mature trees, helped to create the illusion of the numerous different courses Happy plays on his way to the top. The use of multiple golf courses in a small geographic area is a testament to the versatility of the Vancouver film industry at the time.

From Silver Acres to the Rink: Iconic Non-Golf Locations

While the golf scenes are the most memorable, the non-golf locations are crucial for the emotional core of the film, especially the scenes involving Happy’s Grandma.

Silver Acres Retirement Home: The West Lawn Building

The dilapidated "Silver Acres" retirement home, which Happy desperately tries to save, is one of the most famous non-golf locations. This was filmed at the West Lawn Building of the former Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Riverview Hospital, a former mental health facility with extensive grounds, has been a popular filming location for decades, appearing in countless movies and TV shows due to its distinctive, aged architecture. The West Lawn Building provided the perfect, slightly ominous, and rundown aesthetic needed for the Silver Acres setting. The hospital's grounds offered the space needed for the exterior shots of the home and the surrounding area.

The Hockey Rink and Urban Scenes

Before Happy found his calling in golf, he was a frustrated hockey player. The scenes of his aggressive tryouts for a minor league team were reportedly filmed at a hockey rink in the Capilano Road area of North Vancouver or West Vancouver. This area is rich with the kind of local, community-level sports facilities that perfectly match the film’s early narrative. Additionally, various street scenes, including the infamous encounter between Happy and the heckler, were filmed in and around the Vancouver area. Stanley Park, a massive urban park, was used for several exterior shots, helping to establish the film's geography. The city's diverse architecture and natural surroundings allowed the filmmakers to convincingly portray several different US cities and towns.

The Shocking New Location: Why Happy Gilmore 2 Isn't Filming in Canada

In a monumental shift that underscores the passing of time and the changing landscape of Hollywood production, the highly anticipated sequel, *Happy Gilmore 2*, is not being filmed in its original Canadian home. This is the freshest and most unique piece of information for fans of the franchise. The original film was a love letter to the versatility of British Columbia, but the sequel is confirmed to be shooting in the United States, specifically in New Jersey. Rumors and reports have confirmed that Adam Sandler and the production team have been filming across several New Jersey counties, including Morris, Bergen, Essex, Somerset, and Monmouth. While the plot of *Happy Gilmore 2* is rumored to be partially set in Waterbury, Connecticut, the actual production has been centered on the Garden State. This choice creates a fascinating contrast: the original film used Canadian locations to create an American story, while the sequel is using a specific American state to tell a modern American story. The move away from the original Canadian locations means that the new film will feature entirely different golf courses and backdrops, a major departure from the aesthetic of the 1996 classic. For fans hoping to see the return of the Swaneset Bay clubhouse or the Riverview Hospital, they will have to be content with the original film, as the new chapter of Happy’s life is being written on the East Coast of the US. This major location change is a key enticement for fans, promising a fresh visual experience while maintaining the beloved characters and humor of the original.