“Full Swing,” the Netflix documentary that chronicles the 2022 PGA TOUR season and is set to be released Feb. 15, is a surprisingly emotional watch. Surprising because if you’re a golf fan, you know most of what’s going to happen, and yet it still hits home with vignettes of fathers and sons, battles won and lost, and sacrifices by friends and family.
The emotionality is a credit to the creatives as the series makes great use of home movies, multiple edits, and a strong soundtrack. Episode 1 especially tugs at the heartstrings.
“All it takes is one week and your life changes,” Justin Thomas says in the series trailer.
What the cameras capture off the course ranges from the relatable – Thomas going to CVS seeking relief from his allergies – to the intimate. You see players with their families and pets (redefining the term “WAG”). Viewers ride on private jets, peek inside million-dollar homes and revel in the rowdiness of the 16th hole at the WM Phoenix Open.
That’s the viewing experience. But what was it like to be in it?
“They were everywhere,” Tony Finau, a two-time winner last season, said of the crew. “On off-weeks they were home with me. I felt like they did a lot of filming. I knew when I said yes that that was a possibility. I told my wife. She was all-in; she didn’t mind it.
Photo: Courtesy of PGA Tour
“It got to a point where it felt like they were just a fly on the wall,” he added. “We got to know the crew because it was the same people. They visited Utah, we had a great old time. They ended up being people I’d call friends now. I’ve got a great relationship with some of them.”
Jordan Spieth also seemed to be having a great time, as did Thomas.
“I didn’t really give as much access as a lot of other guys, but I thought it was cool,” Spieth said. “For me, it’ll be a me-and-Justin kind of episode. They did some stuff at the house here and there a little bit. I thought they were very professional; if I asked for some time away, they were great. If I said, ‘Hey, you should come and see this,’ they were ready to go.
“I’m interested to watch,” Spieth added. “It’ll be cool. I think because of how cordial and respectful they were, guys opened up more, which I think will make for good content.”
Crucially, the series had inside access not just at PGA TOUR events but also the four majors, which are put on by Augusta National Golf Club, the PGA of America, the United States Golf…
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