Full Swing explores the lives of some of the best current golfers and breaks down what it takes to compete at some of the biggest golf events in the world. The docuseries is now streaming on Netflix.
Story
The very first episode of Full Swing dives deep into the friendship and the healthy competition between Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, and how Justin Thomas went from being just Jordan’s friend to a champion in his own right by winning his second major.
The second episode follows the downfall of Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion who is now struggling to get back into the winner’s circle.
In the third episode, Ian Poulter talks about his Ryder Cup history, his dream to be a Ryder Cup captain, and the lucrative offer from LIV, a Saudi Arabia-backed golf league.
The fourth episode sees fun-loving Joel Dahmen, who loves to goof around, learn about the responsibilities that will fall upon his shoulders as he gets serious about his golf career.
The fifth episode explores the lives of Matt Fitzpatrick and Dustin Johnson, with the latter opting to resign from the PGA Tour in order to join the LIV Tour.
The sixth episode puts forth the different approaches Tony Finau and Collin Morikawa have toward the sport. Tony Finau shares how his family’s support has brought him to where he is today, while Collin’s success has people calling him the extension of Tiger Woods’ success.
In the seventh episode, rookies Sahith Theegala and Mito Pereira work towards their first major win, and in the finale, Rory McIlroy attempts to win a championship, be the face of the sport, and establish what golfers will miss once they switch to the LIV Tour.
Positives
Full Swing comes with a heart-warming family touch; it attempts to go beyond the golf course and the sport to give a glimpse of the personal lives of the golfers.
The documentary series covers the various tournaments and the stories behind them in a very cinematic manner. The show’s cast slowly, bit by bit, help the viewers understand how the game of golf works, and the kind of hard work the golfers are supposed to put in.
Once these behind-the-scenes footages, the golfers’ personal stories, and the tournaments come together, the viewers get heavily invested in these golfers, as if they are characters of a movie, and end up cheering for them and the outcome they see on the screen.
Full Swing seems to have chosen the right time to cover the sport, as suggested by Ian Poulter. There is certainly a lot of drama going around with the arrival of the LIV tour, as seen, and this drama has certainly benefited the show.
It raises questions in the minds of viewers about the decisions that golf’s biggest names will make. With this drama and the way the world of golf reacts to the news around LIV, Full Swing manages to cover how the golfing world functions.
Negatives
Full Swing offers unique stories and dynamics from the golfing world. Still, the journeys of Sahith Theegala, Mito Pereira, Tony Finau, and Collin Morikawa were quite similar to the stories of other golfers featured. The show could’ve placed their stories elsewhere in the show or saved them for a new season.
At times, adding music to several scenes makes everything awkward in an otherwise intriguing documentary. Even some switches from behind-the-scenes to tournaments feel abrupt due to the music playing in the background.
Verdict
The creators of Full Swing seem to be attracting not only golf fans but also regular Netflix viewers who are not exactly fans of this sport, and they successfully manage to do so.
In a way, the show also serves as an introduction to the golf world, its current stars, and the problems it is facing. One is left wondering if they should follow the sport by the end of the show.
It makes them want to see what the careers of these golfers will turn into in the near future.
Full Swing
Date Created: 2023-02-15 13:30
3.5
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