Rannulph Junuh has returned to Savannah a damaged, tortured soul, his youthful innocence shattered by the trauma of World War I. While he's been gone, his former fiancee, Adele Invergordon, has devoted herself to fulfilling her late father's dream of building a world-class golf course on a nearby island. To keep the dream alive in the depths of the Great Depression, she proposes an exhibition tournament featuring golf superstars Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. When city officials insist that the match can only take place if a local golfer participates, Hardy turns to Junuh to defend his hometown's honor. Along the way he faces down his demons, fights for the love of the woman he abandoned and hits a hole in one with the help of a black caddie named Bagger who offers down-home folk wisdom, spiritual guidance and the secret to a perfect swing.

A run-down former champion golfer has a chance to reclaim his golf glory at a high-profile tournament put on by his old flame and featuring two of his sport's top players. He's aided in his quest by a mysterious black caddy.