In 1931, a WWI veteran and war hero is asked to play with two of the great golf players of the time, Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones in a 36-hole match game to open a local golf course. Helping him get his game back after years away is a mysterious golf caddy, Bagger Vance, whose advice on how to deliver "The Authentic Swing" also seems to have relevance in how to live life as well.