When the first season of the Netflix Full Swing docuseries was announced, expectations were high. The Drive to Survive fly-on-the-wall documentary led to a massive boost in the popularity of Formula 1 and the golfing world wondered whether Full Swing might do something similar for our sport. But along with the hopes, there were concerns, too. How could golf, an ostensibly slow-moving, methodical sport, be portrayed as dramatic and exciting? Would a docuseries on golf just be a bit boring?
It was anything but. Full Swing showed the raw emotions in top-level professional golf, the highs and lows, the challenges, the rivalries and the camaraderie. It was a hit. Figures released at the end of 2023 showed the series had 53 million viewing hours in the first half of the year. A phenomenal number. It was such a success, a second season was commissioned and released this March.
This time, the question wasn’t would it work? We knew it did. The question was, could the Full Swing team build on season one and deliver something more second time around? Again, we needn’t have worried. Season two of Full Swing is a triumph. With increased access, including locker room footage at each of the four Majors, an overarching storyline that builds to a thrilling Ryder Cup climax, involvement from top players – with a significant contribution from Rory McIlroy – and incredible insight into the temperament and character of the main protagonists, the eight-episode series paints a fascinating picture of elite men’s professional golf.
