Netflix Original Series ‘Full Swing’ Promises to Take Fans Inside the Ropes Like Never Before
Full Swing debuts Wednesday, February 15th, and it seems everyone involved can’t wait for the Netflix original series and the global spotlight it will shine on professional golf.
At a preview featuring producers and reigning U.S. Open Winner Matthew Fitzpatrick during the recent PGA Show in Orlando, Netflix shared a documentary trailer, which promises to allow fans to go behind the scenes of the PGA TOUR and all four men’s majors.
The debut episode titled “Frenemies” focuses heavily on childhood friends and on course rivals Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, sharing behind the seen footage from last May’s PGA Championship. Producers got unprecedented access to JT and his father and coach Mike at Southern Hills, the site of his second career Major victory.
“I had a blast. I gave access in places I don’t normally and shared much of it with (Justin Thomas)”, said Spieth. “We really, really enjoyed that process. Speaking at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Spieth said his decision to opt into “Full Swing” was partially motivated by his favorable reaction to “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which streamed on Netflix in 2019 to critical acclaim.
“Well, I’m an F1 fan because of Drive to Survive,” Spieth said. “I’m one of however many million Americans that it reached and went outside of your typical F1 fanbase, which was already massive and global.
“For golf to see the Drive to Survive success and then have the opportunity to be a part of trying to get out of the typical golf fanbase, kind of what [F1] did, get global with it. 250m members (approximate Netflix total) is larger than your typical who tunes in to see a round of PGA Tour golf!
Chad Mumm, a chief creative officer with Vox Media Studios, believes fans will really enjoy the final product and expressed gratitude for the trust he and his team earned from the players.
“We were really lucky to have amazing access, not just from the governing bodies of the sports, the PGA TOUR and all the majors, but from players like Jordan and his peers who let us into their lives in a way that I don’t think anyone’s ever seen before,” Mumm said.
Gabe Spitzer is the documentary series director at Netflix and called it a “no brainer” to dive into the project once it had support from all concerned.
“Our 230 million members across the globe, they love authenticity. They love getting deeper into stories. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out and the type of athletes that have come on board and given us, taken a leap of faith to tell their stories.”
Full Swing was produced last season, which also saw the emergence and threat of LIV Golf. The series doesn’t shy away from it and indeed chronicles the controversy, including the departure of some of golf’s biggest names leaving for the rival circuit. “You’ve picked a hell of a year to start following the PGA TOUR,” said Ian Poulter in a clip from the trailer. Poulter, winner of a dozen DP World Tour events and 3 times on the PGA TOUR is among those who would jump ship for a new opportunity with the upstart league.
