Full Swing Review: Golfers Have Never Been More Interesting

In another interesting turn for Netflix, the docuseries that focus on golf would not have been thought of as engaging, but they tried hard. And so, here is the Full Swing review to tell you whether it worked or not.

Starring some extremely talented players like Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Matt Fitzpatrick, Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson, Joaquín Niemann, Mito Pereira and Scottie Scheffler, alongside others.

Netflix’s description of the series reads:

This immersive documentary series follows a diverse group of professional golfers on and off the course across a relentless season of competition.

-Full Swing Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-

Golf would have never been appealing. It is a sport where a bunch of people gather around and stare as a person slowly swings a bat back and forth till the ball reaches its desired destination. Trust that this writer already has reservations about the sport, including but not limited to its environmental effects, exclusivity and its penchant for elitism.

While some aspects of the series did emulate those icks, the rest of the episodes seem to have taken the discussion of golf more passionately than ever before. Showcasing players’ inner lives and their insecurities as they make their way to the course should hardly be magnetic, but the players exude confidence and the openness to tell their stories to audiences.

Also Read: African Queens Njinga Review: The Life and Rise of First Warrior Queen

Starting from the first episode, we get an idea of what kind of mindset you need to come to golf. The kind of financial and legacy work it takes to make your way to the top as a professional player. In that case, the docuseries subtly reveals a lot of premeditated conditions that give birth to a golf player. There are hardly any underdogs in the sport of golf. As long as you’re from a first-world country ready to create some space for a field, you’re done.

Netflix has always done its best to keep many docuseries plain and detached, without any visible input from the person behind the screen. However, for this one, players would regularly comment and keep in mind the fact that they are being recorded and that it will be seen by people across the globe. It is a welcome break in the fourth wall, coupled with the understanding that the camera crew is here to record their craft but also their relationship with the craft.

This docuseries gives an actual idea of what a reality television show should be like. Enough drama to keep audiences hooked, but not so much that it saturates the underlying message. It is shot well, moving from different speeds and styles of shooting as the episodes progress but also evolves well narratively as each episode picks up different players to focus on.

Not to mention, they all have incredibly distinct personalities that are clearly evident in the way the docuseries is shot and the aspects of the players’ lives they choose to highlight.

Every player is an archetype for what golf could be and looks like. It shows that there are many ways to be a pro golfer. They are given their own time to shine, interconnecting with other players’ storylines and their trajectories throughout the season. Additionally, with the controversy in the golf world coming to light, we also saw players trying to ask questions about the tournament and the game’s future. There is a lot of politics in golf, with friendship and loss being just the beginning of what is yet to come.

However, the sport is not just about the players but about the people who report about them and the fans eagerly waiting for their favourite golfers to emulate certain ideals as they carry themselves in this world. Netflix has done a good job of showcasing how the system works, what kind of questions golfers need to answer and what kind of responsibility they have towards their audience.

Full Swing Review: Final Thoughts

There are many sports docuseries that make the genre popular, like Drive to Survive. Full Swing, in hand, does an impeccable job at making audiences interested in the sport while also subtly leading them towards rooting for certain kinds of players. For those, a little allergic to highly potent, testosterone-concentrated masculinity, this show may be a buzzkill.

It is, at times nauseating to see how their masculinity presents itself, but otherwise, the series tells a really good story about how a sport can become a haven for difficult conversations.

Netflix also tries its best to show the privileges that come with making certain choices that affect global politics. For those looking for a little fun watching golfers do their thing or looking to find something serious, they can totally pick this up for a watch. It is captivating, fun and inspiring to see some of them climb their way to the top.

Full Swing is currently streaming on Netflix.

Which player were you most drawn towards? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Big Bet Season 2 Episode 1 Recap and Review: Seung-hoon’s Bubble Bursts Upon Clashing With Moo-sik