Netflix takes a Full Swing with golf documentary but lacks nuance

Everything has led to this, not only for Rory McIlroy but golf in its entirety.

Full Swing, the brand new Netflix collection obtainable to stream now, takes the viewer on a trip throughout a 12 months on the PGA Tour, but the looming presence of LIV Golf each provides a nervous vitality to and distracts from the genuinely compelling tales obtainable all through.

“You picked a hell of a year to follow the PGA Tour,” Ian Poulter, who swiftly jumped to LIV Golf final 12 months, chortles.

But whereas LIV, the elephant within the room, could spark extra curiosity round this collection and emerge as the first attraction within the newest imitation of F1’s blockbuster hit Drive to Survive, there’s little nuance to the controversy throughout eight episodes.

A primary reference to the Saudi-backed league comes after 13 minutes, interrupting a deeper take a look at ‘frenemies’ Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

And whereas Brooks Koepka and Ian Poulter, LIV stalwarts, are among the many main focus as every episode centres round two gamers and their journey, Full Swing largely ignores the deeper that means and politics behind the controversy surrounding the breakaway league.

And whereas that may grate with some, one might argue that Netflix is just not the appropriate place to delve into this matter.

Swiftly solid because the villain when former participant and outspoken broadcaster Brandel Chamblee underlines how LIV “threatens the foundations of the game,” the counter-arguments solely revolve across the riches on supply, with out really outlining why they’re obtainable.

Koepka couldn’t say no given his “grandkids’ grandkids are now taken care of.”

While Poulter, ever a vibrant character within the sport and worthy of an episode to himself, may be hoping to have his day in courtroom to make sure he finally may have his cake and eat it. Yet he remarks: “Do I love the Ryder Cup? Is the Pope Catholic?” Evidently that love is just not fairly robust sufficient to threat his presence in Rome this 12 months.

Unlike Drive to Survive, Netflix has managed to make sure the largest stars function prominently in Full Swing, with Spieth and Thomas offering a superb begin earlier than McIlroy takes centre stage within the finale.

Intimate scenes surrounding Spieth’s finest man speech and the pair swapping a whole lot of {dollars} throughout Southern Hills observe rounds for the PGA Championship in a sport of ‘Hammer’ illustrate the PGA Tour’s depth regardless of the various defections final 12 months.

Scottie Scheffler calls for extra protection, after returning to the highest of the world rankings final week following victory in Phoenix. While the tales behind the likes of Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Tom Kim, Max Homa and Shane Lowry would additionally attraction. Perhaps followers might play a function in who Netflix follows subsequent?

If LIV was not such a domineering matter in golf, then Full Swing may emerge as a breeding floor for the celebs of tomorrow too. Tony Finau discussing the straightforward pleasure of a sport of Uno with his household or the journeyman grind for the likes of Joel Dahmen are who the typical viewer can higher relate to on this infuriating sport.

Once the game settles down although, you possibly can think about many extra variations of Daniel Ricciardo rising with 156 starters every week, quite than simply 20.

Full Swing may simply be the ultimate device to rid golf of its dependence on Tiger Woods, who is just not even talked about till 24 minutes into the primary episode.

Hardcore followers will definitely benefit from the present, given a glimpse into how the professionals put together. From McIlroy, Thomas and Spieth gathering within the fitness center to the latter’s mid-round commentary whereas struggling to search out his finest kind: “Oh Jordan, what are you doing? Get lucky, get so lucky.”

These are golden moments that even host broadcasters typically miss through the majors, making certain Full Swing delivers one thing recent to a sport that has discovered itself at boiling level.

All eight episodes of Full Swing can be found to stream on Netflix now