Reasons to Watch Full Swing on NetFlix | The Michigan Golf Journal

By Ed Schmidt Jr.

I enjoy playing golf, as well as watching countless hours on my big screen, I highly anticipated the new Netflix series, “Full Swing.”

I have viewed every episode of “Drive to Survive” on Netflix about Formula One racing. It’s hard to imagine driving around in a multi-million dollar race car, but it’s much easier for me to relate to the issues facing professional golfers, because I play regularly and follow professional golf closely.

I have watched all eight episodes of the new Netflix series and it delivers big time. If you are a golf fan, here are a few observations why you should watch “Full Swing.”

For Both Golf Fanatics and Non-Golfers

Each show provides a phenomenal look into the the PGA Tour and what it takes to win. Golf fanatics might be slightly disappointed as the series caters to non-golfers as well. The goal, I presume, is to engage viewers who don’t know a golf ball from a basketball.

In episode one, CBS broadcaster Amanda Balionis-Renner articulates the basics of a golf tournament which every golf fan knows by heart. Walking the tightrope to make the series interesting to both types of viewers was a difficult task, but the producers did an admirable job.

The stars of episode one are two of the most popular golfers on tour, Justin Thomas, along with his father/coach Mike Thomas and Jordan Spieth. While the cameras take you into the thick of the action at the 2022 PGA Championship on Justin’s journey to victory, the interviews with J.T. and his father give a glimpse into the anguishing mental side of what it takes to win, especially a major.

The first episode sets the tone and documents Spieth’s resurgence in early 2022, while Thomas is struggling to win more majors.

Capturing the Big and Small Moments

It’s not just the big moments that are chronicled that make the series compelling, it’s the mundane activities that make things interesting. For instance, during the 2022 PGA Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the cameras follow Justin Thomas into a CVS as he purchases allergy medicine. The childhood videos of Justin showing the loving relationship between father and son and how golf has been such a central part of their lives are heartwarming.

Comeback For The Ages

Episode one plays out like a Hollywood script. Just prior to J.T. teeing off for the final round at the PGA Championship, an analyst states,

“Thomas is seven strokes off the lead with a 1.2% chance of winning from that position.”

In the dramatic final round, Thomas made a furious charge up the leaderboard and won in a playoff over Will Zalatoris. The full intensity of that final round was captured in exemplary fashion.

Amazing Access

Netflix cameras had amazing behind-the-scenes access never seen before. Perhaps Jordan Spieth put it best in a recent podcast when he said,

“The cameras were there when you didn’t want them and they were there when you did want them.”

Great Insight

A variety of highly respected golf personalities and journalists are interviewed in each episode to provide insight on PGA Tour life. Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, Golf Magazine writer Dylan Dethier, Barstool Sports writer Dan Rapaport and golf instructor Sean Foley can all be seen making comments.

Excellent Editing

The second episode features Brooks Koepka dealing with injury and not being able to compete at the highest level. While he is frustrated and on the downswing, Scottie Scheffler is heading in the opposite direction winning the 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Masters.

The seamless weaving of PGA Tour tournament footage, interviews with analysts and journalists and video of players in their homes and on the course is what makes this series so watchable and enjoyable.

I can’t wait to watch the complete compliment of episodes, including the curveball that the LIV created by robbing players from the PGA Tour last year. Ian Poulter has a leading role in that episode. It documents his frustration with his failing ability to compete against younger players on the PGA Tour and struggling with the business decision to accept the guarantee money from LIV to secure his family’s future.