Bill Murray is packing his clubs, his pals, and his trademark humor for a new six-part BBC series titled Off Course, in which he and friends will travel around the island of Ireland playing golf and exploring the land’s culture and character. Set against the lush landscapes of both Northern Ireland and the Republic, the show promises more than just fairways; it aims to weave in “life, chance encounters, and the joy of going off course.”
Murray, now 75, has had a long affinity for golf and also a connection to Ireland through ancestry. In interviews tied to the project, he’s spoken of golf as like “the best education I ever received,” and Ireland as a fitting setting given its beauty, its storied courses, and the spirit of what Irish culture calls “craic”–a sense of fun, mischief, and conviviality rolled into one. The series will be broadcast on BBC Two, BBC One Northern Ireland, and BBC iPlayer.
“I started out caddying, and golf was the best education I ever received. Ireland feels like the right place to put all that to work. They’ve got this wonderful word there, ‘craic,’ which means fun, but it means a lot of other things. A lot of good things. And this show will be about us finding it,” Murray said.
What the Series Will Look Like
Off Course is being developed in a travelogue-meets-golf format, combining Murray’s natural curiosity with scenic drives, unscripted moments, and rounds of golf at some of Ireland’s most celebrated courses. The show is being co-produced by Stellify Media and Skydance Sports for the BBC.
While golf is the vehicle, the series’ heart seems to be in exploration. It promises not just shots over links and parklands, but also local stories, characters met along the way, and moments where things might go “off course” in unexpected, human ways. With Murray’s longtime companion Tom Coyne (whose book A Course Called Ireland is part inspiration) joining the trip, there is a built-in layer of tradition, Irish golfing lore, and narrative framing.
Producers emphasize that the show won’t just be a slick “celebrity plays golf” piece, but something more candid. According to press materials, the series moves “from revelations to epiphanies, and the occasional wrong turn.” In other words, expect detours in stories, weather, local hospitality, and character more than just polished tee shots.
For Golf, For Culture
This project arrives at a moment when golf media is expanding beyond pure tournament coverage into storytelling, travel, personality, and place. A show like Off Course, anchored by a beloved actor known for improv, charm, and offbeat humor, opens doors to new audiences who might not watch traditional golf broadcasts.
It also helps shift the narrative of golf television. Rather than always emphasizing competition, scores, and elite performance, Off Course can spotlight human experience–how courses connect to landscapes, local people, culture, history, and the spirit of discovery. In Ireland, where golf is both an industry and a heritage, that kind of storytelling can resonate deeply.
From a branding standpoint, Murray lends weight. His name carries cross-cultural appeal–film fans, Irish diaspora, golf enthusiasts–all of which can help drive viewership.