The third instalment of Netflix’s “Full Swing” documentary series was released this week and so far it has been to mixed reaction from the golfing community.
Season 1 was a hit, because it was shiny and new and was released amidst the LIV/PGA Tour chaos, season 2 followed and although it didn’t perform as was as season 1, the Ryder Cup carried the story and drama.
The pressure was on then to deliver the entertainment in season 3, and for my part I think they did, sure some episodes were duds and too much time was spent on certain characters but in a year that was relatively quiet on the PGA Tour, Netflix told some stories worth telling.
Episode 1 “Brave New Game” begins with a bang, plenty of drama and quick cuts to build tension that Season 3 will be the best yet. Scottie Scheffler is the man to beat at the masters — but newcomer Ludvig Åberg is hot on his heels. We learn a little more about Ludvig but really the hero of episode 1 is the amateur Neal Shipley who tries to prove himself on the largest stage in the World, The Masters. Shipley comes across as incredibly likeable, he’s just like all of us, a regular golf fan, who happens to be very good at golf, a lovable golf dork with impressive abilities.
Neal breaks the perception that to be a great golfer you need to be serious and wholly dedicated to golf. He’s able to enjoy the moment, reminisce on watching Tiger as a child and got giddy at the fact he was playing with Tiger Woods on Sunday at The Masters and beat him!
Moments where he proudly shows off the calligraphy on his Masters invitation and jokes about being “first team all fridge” and “body by waffle house” all made Neal Shipley very endearing and gives hope for the rest of the season.
Episode 2 “Through Thick and Thin” will be a popular episode amongst Irish fans as it focuses on Rory Mcilroy and Shane Lowry’s friendship throughout the years, from growing up in Ireland’s amateur circuit to turning pro and now spending a lot of time together on Tour.
The story for this episode is that a lot of European players have a bit of a Ryder Cup hangover so Rory and Shane team up to have fun on the course at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. This episode gave a nice insight to how Shane and Rory genuinely are really close friends and that friendship comes across most naturally of all the relationships in “Full Swing”. I think what really makes this shine is how honestly Shane and Rory talk about each other. Rory calls Shane a role model of a husband, father and friend and Shane says he treats Rory like a ‘normal person’ and feels protective over Rory this sincerity is mixed with their ability to have a laugh at every opportunity.
For me the series takes a dip over episodes 4 & 5 we come off the high tension of the US Open which Bryson DeChambeau won in spectacular fashion, but neither he nor Xander Shauffelle agreed to participate in the series, tough for us when Bryson is presented as a villain-turned-hero and the redemption story he underwent was fascinating, but you can’t help feeling short changed that you haven’t heard from the man himself.
Xander not participating is a big miss for everyone, he famously didn’t want Netflix cameras around for season 2 at the Ryder Cup and that has continued into season 3. We’ve criticised Xander for not having much personality previously on The Bogey Men podcast and his decision not to partake in “Full Swing” is disappointing because he had such a successful year.
The series finishes strong so I urge you to stick with it. The surprise star of the show is Gary Woodland. Many of us knew Woodland had undergone brain surgery in 2023, but weren’t clear on the specifics.
We learn a lesion was putting pressure on the part of his brain that controls fear and anxiety. He was constantly in fear, he would get on a plane and think it was going to crash and everyone would die, or he’d get in a car and fear something else terrible would happen, a terrifying way to live!
Woodland also revealed how post-surgery he couldn’t spend a full day with his children because everything was too overwhelming and the toll heavy post-surgery medication is taking on him.
This episode is raw, emotional and very powerful. Woodland is brought to tears on a couple of occasions, most notably when he recounts writing letters to family members ahead of his surgery in case the worst happened.
Justin Rose also features prominently in this episode, his story is compelling and Justin has won a number of fans from participating in “Full Swing” over the years. He outlines his professional history with The Open Championship from playing it first as a 17 year old kid to now battling with his new motivation, playing for legacy and securing a Claret Jug.
The final episode “Rebirth” continues pulling on the heartstrings as we are told the story of Camilo Villegas and his wife, Maria, and the death of their daughter, Mia, who passed away at 22 months after tumours were discovered on her brain and spine.
Keegan Bradley also features in this episode and comes across well. Bradley was the unsung hero of Season 2 and he comes across very well again. Netflix details his desire to make the Presidents Cup team following his Ryder Cup snub and his relief when he’s selected. The show ends with an impassioned Bradley speech in the aftermath of victory as he looks ahead to this year’s showdown at Bethpage Black.
Overall I enjoyed “Full Swing” Season 3, is it the best of all the seasons? No definitely not, but will it get renewed for a 4th season? Yes I think so, the series hits enough notes to keep fans interested, that mixed with a Ryder Cup in the USA will give great content and storylines as it also looks like a LIV/PGA Tour merger is all the more likely.
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