Golf has never felt as intimate as it does in “Full Swing.” Dropping its third season in early 2023, this Netflix docuseries brings a richness to the sport that traditional golf coverage often overlooks: genuine emotion. Taking viewers behind the scenes, it explores the victories, stumbles, rivalries, and mental demands of today’s professional golfers.
At its heart, “Full Swing” is about much more than just scores and statistics. It’s an exploration of the emotional journey accompanying top-tier competition. As Season 3 unfolds, highlights from major championships are revisited, offering a glimpse into the President’s Cup as well as the journey that led to Keegan Bradley’s appointment as Ryder Cup captain. Through these stories, “Full Swing” achieves something truly unique.
The series brings to life players like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Joel Dahmen, Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, and others. These athletes become more than leaderboard statistics; they emerge as relatable individuals facing real-world challenges, insecurities, and sacrifices.
What exactly is “Full Swing”? It’s a compelling docuseries co-produced by Netflix and the creators behind “Drive to Survive,” the popular Formula 1 show. Right from its debut season, it captivated an audience both within and beyond the golf community. Each season focuses on a rotating ensemble of golfers from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, weaving together their on-course performances with personal narratives off the green.
It’s both fast-paced and cinematic, capturing emotions in a way that standard golf broadcasts rarely do.
That’s precisely why “Full Swing” resonates. It appeals not only to staunch golf enthusiasts but also attracts new viewers curious about the sport and a younger demographic eager for stories and personality as much as precision and performance. For casual fans, it’s an open invitation into what can be an intimidating sport. For diehard followers, it’s an intriguing insight into the characters who shape the contemporary golfing world.
The series doesn’t shy away from showcasing golf’s evolving cultural landscape. With the ongoing dynamics between the PGA and LIV Golf, the inclusion of influencers, and social media figures occasionally making their way into episodes, “Full Swing” captures golf’s modernization. It embraces how the sport is diversifying and expanding its appeal to younger generations while still honoring its traditions.
“Full Swing” is a bridge between the past and the future, celebrating golf’s enduring allure while giving viewers a glimpse of where it’s headed.
More than anything, the series captures the emotional ups and downs of life on the tour—the relentless pressure to excel, the isolation of travel, the never-ending practice grind, and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of greatness. This raw honesty is what hooks its audience. While showcasing success, the series also delves into the untold struggles behind achieving it.
During a time of significant structural and cultural shifts in the sport, “Full Swing” couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. It’s not just captivating television; it’s a defining chronicle of golf at a crossroads. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s definitely time to settle in with “Full Swing” on Netflix.
Your perspective on the game will never be the same.
