Sir Sean's Connery's actor son is to direct a new movie about the pioneers of modern-day professional golf and its 19th century beginnings at St Andrews.

Tommy's Honour, which will be shot in Scotland during the spring and summer of this year, focuses on four time Open champion Tom Morris, widely considered the founder of the modern game.

Jason Connery's movie is based on a screenplay by adapted from Kevin Cook's acclaimed book, which won the US Golf Association's Book of the Year award in 2007.

It tells the story of the son of a weaver from St Andrews who went on to design some of the world's greatest courses including Prestwick and Muirfield, and helped popularise the modern rubber golf ball.

It explores his relationship with his son Tommy, who showed a remarkable talent of his own and matched his father's achievement with four Open wins, the first at the age of 17, managing the feat in consecutive championships.

Commenting on the project, Mr Connery, 51, said: "I am so incredibly passionate and excited to tell this story. It is a story that is truly close to my heart as I grew up with my father on a golf course, and I have a home an hour from St. Andrews.

"This is an extraordinary and intimate tale of love and family at the beginning of the great game of golf. This story has to be told!"

Producer Jim Kreutzer added: "I knew immediately this was a story that will resonate universally - not only with avid golfers and fans, but also an inspiring father-son tale that audiences everywhere can relate to.

"We all respect the game and history, so I am confident Jason and the filmmaking team will do this story justice."