Four years ago, Netflix released a documentary called “Drive to Survive,” which followed the careers of Formula 1 racecar drivers as they battled to make their mark on the sport. What Netflix delivered was a gripping, engaging perspective on an intense sport. The series sailed far past its expectations, delighting Formula 1 fans and even those who had never even heard of the sport.
Since then, Netflix has continued to produce these “behind the scenes” documentaries about the sports world. Its latest addition is set to premiere on February 15th. “Full Swing” is a highly anticipated series that may be the catalyst for another golf revolution.
What Is “Full Swing”?
“Full Swing” is a golf documentary focusing on the careers of several high-profile golfers during the 2021 PGA Tour season. This series will focus on big names like Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and more as they navigate the intensity of tournaments as well as the turmoil of the sport itself.
As golf continues to try to find its footing as Tiger Woods fades into the distance, some are viewing this documentary as a way to do what “Drive to Survive” did for the racing world.
The Impact of “Drive to Survive”
In the years following the initial release of “Drive to Survive,” viewership of Formula 1 skyrocketed, with the 2021 season bringing in a 53% rise compared to 2020.
Maybe the most impactful part about ‘Drive to Survive” was its ability to showcase what the sport was really about. It was able to turn non-fans into superfans practically overnight.
More than half of self-identified Formula 1 fans said that “Drive to Survive” had a role in their becoming a fan. 30% said it was a major reason.
What We Can Expect Out of “Full Swing”
“Full Swing” will showcase a personal look at golf. We’ll expect to see a few different elements featured in a year that was more than a little unusual for the golfing world.
LIV Drama
In the trailer, we see Ian Poulter say, “you picked a hell of a year to start following the PGA Tour.” He couldn’t be more right. The documentary coincided with one of the biggest shakeups in the history of golf. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf league poached a number of players from the PGA, including Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, who will be featured in “Full Swing”.
The Life of a Sport
Golf is essentially facing an existential crisis — both with the phasing out of Tiger Woods and with LIV Golf threatening to take all the great golfers from the PGA. For a sport whose very nature is rooted in tradition, it seems like all of the old foundations are starting to crumble beneath their feet. It will be up to the current faces of the PGA like Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas to lead the way out of uncertainty.
Tournament Intensity
When you watch tournaments on television, you’re only getting the refined version of what happens on the course — the players holding it together as nerves eat away and frustration gets the better of them in the locker rooms. What made “Drive to Survive” so good was its honest and open portrayal of drivers and what they go through during a typical season.
We should see more of that in “Full Swing.”
The Humanity of the Game
Golf has always been a sport dominated by men. And where there are men, there are steely emotions, complicated internal conflict and sometimes arrogance undercut with insecurity and failure. What “Full Swing” should give us is an inside look into the sometimes jaded characters of the game. The typically stonewalled Brooks Koepka, for instance, may give us more than just a placated statement at a press conference. We’ll get to see the humanity behind the athletes.
A Lasting Impact?
Granted, the “Full Swing” subject matter is much different than “Drive to Survive,” so its expectations are completely different. “Drive to Survive” showcased a sport that many Americans knew nothing about, while golf has already been popular and whipped through the social zeitgeist because of Tiger Woods.
Still, it will be interesting to see how much interest the documentary generates in the game and if it can sustain a lasting impact after its release.