When filming at the Tubac Golf Resort in the Arizona desert, the script called for a water hazard. Since there were none on the course the filmmakers built one and named it "Tin Cup Lake".
The grandparents and grandchild with a dog in the scene where Simms yells at them after asking for an autograph are played by Kevin Costner's parents, Sharon Costner and Bill Costner. The grandchild is played by his son, Joe Costner.
Cheech Marin disliked golf until he joined this film, later having become an avid player of the game.
Dennis Quaid stated he regrets he turned down the role played by Don Johnson.