The first season of Netflix’s docuseries Full Swing was lauded in almost all quarters and cracked the global top ten and the top two in the UK and USA. More than 60% of viewers went on to watch the PGA Tour in the two months following its release.
Naturally, a second season followed. While not as riveting, it still had some good moments, thanks largely to the shock PGA Tour/LIV merger announcement and the Ryder Cup, which provided the series with a natural conclusion and story arc.
In February, Netflix released Full Swing Season 3. With novelty no longer a factor, it was always going to be hard to hit the heights of the previous two. In reality television, you’re also beholden to the storylines that emerge.
Unfortunately for the producers, they were hamstrung by the lack of LIV drama, the absence of a Ryder Cup and the fact they were unable to convince Xander Schauffele – a two-time Major winner in 2024, whose successes are largely ignored – to participate.
When you’re not dealt the best of hands, the storytelling and the characters have to do most of the heavy lifting. Unfortunately, both leave a lot to be desired in Full Swing Season 3. Again, I sympathise with the producers here – there’s a randomness to the show’s construction and chance plays a big part.
They can’t write the script and have to be reactive. What are you supposed to do if your contributors aren’t involved in the biggest moments of the year?
Full Swing made its debut in 2023
(Image credit: X @Netflix)
Wide of the mark
But some of the storylines feel very forced and manufactured. Far too much time is dedicated towards Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. I presume the analysts were surprised to learn they’d be speaking so extensively about a mid-tier event on the PGA Tour.
Other storylines that don’t quite hit the spot are Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin attempting to make the Canadian Olympic team, Min Woo Lee doing the same for Australia, Sahith Theegala finishing third at the Tour Championship and the Presidents Cup, which has a whole episode dedicated to it.
I understand why the producers went down this path – a lack of other viable options – but trying to elicit excitement from a notoriously one-sided contest seems slightly desperate.
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