Full Swing Netflix New Series Season 1 Review

Full Swing Season 1 Review 

Drive to Survive was a huge success for Netflix. Not only did it not go past its 3-season peak (where most long-running shows on the platform die), but it continued to get better as time went on. With exemplary editing, nail-biting tension and a proper behind-the-scenes look at the sport, it was only a matter of time before the producers branched out to look at other sports as well.

    It wasn't mind-blowing, but it was a solidly experimental venture into a completely different sport. It incorporates not only some of the best elements of Drive to Survive, but also some of the worst – and some of the less pleasant elements of Break Point.

  The show takes a similar approach to the aforementioned series, this time focusing exclusively on the world of golf. In 8 episodes, the focus is split between two different competitors in each of the four major golf tournaments: the Masters, the PGA Championship, the US Open and the Open Championship. There are playoff matches on the way and even practice rounds to bring out what is, at its heart, a mostly human drama.

  If you're not familiar with golf, Full Swing finds a way to explain what's going on. You may be confused as to why there are negative numbers on the leaderboards, which are revealed at the end, when specific slang terms within golf – bogeys, eagles, over and under par, etc. – is a business to ease casuals into the world of golf.

  The editing can be a bit more hit or miss at times with some odd music choices, which at times feel intentionally cheesy. Thankfully, these are overshadowed by the direction each episode takes, which takes two different golfers and explores their personal and professional lives to find out what makes them tick. I

   Meanwhile, episode 6 explores Tony Finau's commitment to his family, contrasting nicely with Collin Morikawa's fierce dedication to defeating the best no matter what. It's a nice approach and one of the better imports from Break Point.  

Admittedly, this is a double-edged sword, especially for those who prefer to look at each tournament as a whole. Adding some drama to this is the ongoing story of Saudi-backed LIV Golf trying to compete with the PGA. This lingering shadow hangs over the golf world, but it never really lifts until pretty late in the show, which is a shame.

 

All in All 

 All in all, Full Swing is an enjoyable documentary, but it doesn't quite hit the mark. While the episodes themselves are fairly hit or miss, they sometimes take a while to get going. The action on the green is pretty good, and the ever-changing league table is a nice addition.

  Unlike Break Point and Drive to Survive, Full Swing is unlikely to change your mind if you're not a golfer going into the field. Die-hard fans may also find it a bit simplistic, making for a somewhat subjective watch. It's certainly not bad, but it's not as good as it could be.