Samuel L. Jackson’s Contract Clause That Protects His Golf Time

Samuel L. Jackson isn’t just one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors — he’s also a devoted golfer, and he makes sure that passion fits around his film career. No matter the project, Jackson insists on a clause in his contracts that guarantees him time to play golf at least twice per week during filming. 

He first picked up golf in the mid-1990s after friends encouraged him to try it. What started as a casual game quickly developed into a deep love for the sport — so much so that Jackson became serious about negotiating time on the greens even while working on set. 

For Jackson, golf is more than a hobby — it’s a way to balance the intensity of a demanding career with personal peace, control, and focus. He has described the sport as “a perfect game for an only child like me,” where you take responsibility for everything you do — which, for him, contrasts with the collaborative chaos of film sets. 

Even with a filmography spanning dozens of major films and multiple TV shows, Jackson makes good on that contract clause. Production teams reportedly accommodate it — sometimes arranging nearby golf outings or scheduling shooting around club access. 

Over the years, he’s managed to play on some of the world’s most famous courses. His love for the game shows when off-camera, and those two weekly rounds provide a consistent outlet and reset space amid the chaos of Hollywood. 

Jackson’s insistence on this clause offers a reminder that even major stars benefit from downtime. For him, golf isn’t just a pastime — it’s part of his identity, his strategy to stay grounded, and a small rebellion against non-stop work.