‘Full Swing’ Gives PGA Golf The ‘Drive To Survive’ Netflix Treatment 

Sport is a theatre of Shakespearean tragedy. While there are stunning highs and victories, for many the sacrifices made are met only with devastating losses and defeats. It’s no surprise that sport speaks to the human spirit in all its messy complexities, for it demands a relentless drive to succeed and an unshakeable confidence in one’s own ability. But where in the past such stories tended to only make their way to the screen by way of a star-studded film – think Friday Night Lights and The Longest Yard – in recent years, those sports that were pushed to the periphery are now enjoying their time in the spotlight thanks to Netflix’s documentary treatment. 

When F1: Drive to Survive hit Netflix, a sport that was otherwise considered niche suddenly found itself a legion of new fans, as names like Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris became known around the world. The impact such a series has had on F1 racing is impossible to quantify, but it appears golf is now set to open its doors to new fans as Netflix teases the new documentary, Full Swing. 

Set to feature all four major golf championships and a number of professional golfers like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Speith, the documentary will give fans a highly coveted behind-the-scenes look into the professional tour and the challenges players face along the way. Back in January of 2022, the PGA Tour confirmed that Netflix had been granted exclusive access to its tournament, as well as the game’s four men’s major championships. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming documentary series. 

When will Full Swing be released on Netflix?

For those eagerly awaiting the new series from F1: Drive to Survive creators, Full Swing is scheduled to land on Netflix on February 15. Fans will be able to see more of the drama that made the last few years of golf so entertaining, while also receiving a more in-depth analysis as to what happened during these key moments. 

What players are featured in Full Swing?

Judging from the trailer, we’ll see events taking place around Ian Poulter, Joel Dahmen, Matt Fitzpatrick, Dustin Johnson and more professional golfers. As well as giving an insight into training and their talent, the series is also going to show what these players are like away from the golf course and reveal their true personalities and quirks. 

Players have already labelled 2022 a mind-blowing year of golf, with the series showcasing Justin Thomas’ victory at the PGA Championship, along with Matt Fitzpatrick becoming just the fourth Englishman in the last century to win the US Open. Of course, where there are highs, there are also lows and Full Swing will also chart the dramatic fallout from the emergence of the Saudi-backed and financially-lucrative LIV Golf Series, which has divided many within the sport. 

Speaking about the series, Thomas said, “It’s mind-blowing when it started at the beginning of the year and the amount of storylines just through players and what they’re trying to accomplish. I don’t think anybody could have been sitting here at this time last year and said what was going to happen.”

He added, “I’m excited to watch and it couldn’t have really drawn up a better year or situation as to what happened throughout the course of the year. It’s kind of crazy to say but as a golf fan, I’m excited to watch it. I know what [footage] I shot, but I don’t know what Tony Finau shot, or what Rory [McIlroy] shot. It’s going to be interesting and cool. I see these guys and they’re standing on the third tee or whatever, but I’m still going to see things that I’ve never seen.”

Asked why he agreed to sign up for the series, the two-time major champion spoke of the impact it would have on the sport, particularly when it comes to reaching a new audience. “The main reason was to try to create and grow the audience and fanbase in terms of the Tour and the game of golf. If the game of golf can become a bigger and better place from this then all of us benefit.”