FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
  • scga.org
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
  • scga.org
FeaturedSpring 2023The Podium
Home›Featured›Full Swing: Half Empty? A Contrarian View

Full Swing: Half Empty? A Contrarian View

By David Weiss
April 23, 2023
337
0
Share:

With the February debut of the behind-the-ropes documentary Full Swing, the golf industry prayed that the Netflix series would do for the game what Drive to Survive accomplished for F1 racing: increased interest and viewership in a sport beloved by geeks but mostly ignored by the masses.

Chances are that if you live and breathe golf, you’ll find it easy to enjoy the eight episodes of Full Swing, with its backstage lens trained on both the tedium and the drama associated with the game. On the other hand, if you’re golf-agnostic, the experience might be tantamount to watching paint dry, minus the mind-bending effects of inhaling a can of Sherwin-Williams.

I consider myself a fairly dedicated golf nerd, if that means watching down-market tournaments on Thursday and even the odd Korn Ferry event. And I must confess that with some misgivings, I binged Full Swing in two days and felt only vaguely guilty that I’d wasted precious hours that could have been better utilized working on my nonexistent short game.

Additionally, we all run the risk that Bob Dylan faced when he met his ailing hero, Woody Guthrie, and later declared that it marked the end of idolatry for him. Sometimes a telescope is better than a microscope when you want to preserve your illusions about the subject at hand, whether it’s a firebrand folk singer or a spoiled country club brat complaining about how hard it is to win a golf tournament. Can I hear a collective “Awwwww”?

I felt that way watching the episode featuring the ever-frowning Brooks Koepka, whose early promise and four majors portended a long career in the winner’s circle, only to see him go down in also-ran flames, and finally join the roster of craven, cash-seeking missiles and align with the Saudi-funded LIV Tour. Seeing him in his high-ceilinged tax-haven mansion in Jupiter, Florida — flanked by a bombshell beauty and swimming pool — it’s hard to feel either sympathy or interest.

On the other hand, an up-close-and-personal look at Tony Finau had me reaching for the Kleenex here and there. What are the odds that a man of his humble background — who learned the game in the family garage pounding balls into a mattress — would emerge as the most likable PGA professional since Lee Trevino? Both share working-class roots and wear perpetual smiles, but Finau’s devotion to his wife and kids is the kicker: Who doesn’t love a guy whose heart overflows with fealty and gratitude to his significant others?

Other highlights include the trials and tribulations of easygoing cancer survivor Joel Dahmen, whose lack of bling and self confidence contrasts nicely with LIV-defector Ian Poulter’s technicolor wardrobe and supercilious wit. Though I must say, it was amusing to hear Pat Perez and Poulter gossiping about Instagram leaderboards like a couple of Kardashians. Somewhere Snead and Hogan are shaking their gray heads gravely.

One last quibble: While the series is expensive-looking and capably produced, the soundtrack is rife with the booming bass drums and whiny synthesizers common to the Sahara Tent at Coachella. Let’s keep it real, shall we? Golf is about as un-turnt up as the sports world gets — no gats or gold chains, nor much twerking to speak of. To say it made me long for the days of Yanni and John Tesh would be a stretch, but come on folks, did you really think that it would turn Skrillex and Lil Wayne fans into golfers? Get a Vardon grip, folks!

Previous Article

French Toast with a Twist: Derricks Grille ...

Next Article

Simple Twist of Fate: A Chance Encounter ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

David Weiss

Related articles More from author

  • FeaturedGolf GroupsSpring 2023

    Club Spotlight: Los Compas GC

    April 23, 2023
    By SCGA Staff
  • FeaturedSpring 2023State of the Game

    Big Is Beautiful: How Much More Distance Can We Expect in a Driver?

    April 23, 2023
    By Ken Van Vechten
  • Spring 2022The Podium

    Fan-Demonium: Up Close & Personal at WMPO’s 16th

    April 21, 2022
    By Tom Mackin
  • Fall 2020The Podium

    The Podium: Masters Memories

    October 27, 2020
    By Bill Dwyre
  • Spring 2021The Podium

    Mulligan’s Wheel: Surfer, Teacher, CEO Jaime Mulligan Gets His Due

    April 23, 2021
    By John Strege
  • Spring 2017The Podium

    The Jewel of Red Hill CC

    May 17, 2017
    By Bill Dwyre

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • FeaturedSpring 2023Travel

    Victoria, BC: The Local North

  • FeaturedSpring 2023Sustainability

    The $30 Million Solution: USGA Initiative Aims To Alter Standard Practices

  • FeaturedFirst CutSpring 2023

    Word Play: “Playing Golf” VS “Golfing”

  • FeaturedPublic AffairsSpring 2023

    A Way Forward: Golf’s “Struggle” To See What’s Under Its Nose

  • FeaturedGolf GroupsSpring 2023

    Club Spotlight: Los Compas GC

FeaturedSpring 2023State of the Game

Big Is Beautiful: How Much More Distance Can We Expect in a Driver?

Four hundred: That’s how far I should be hitting my drives. Take my baseline 230-yarder from 15 or so years ago, add the gain promised annually with every best, better, ...
  • Word Play: “Playing Golf” VS “Golfing”

    By Tina Mickelson
    April 23, 2023
  • Club Spotlight: Los Compas GC

    By SCGA Staff
    April 23, 2023
  • Simple Twist of Fate: A Chance Encounter With An NFL Great Changed Michael Herrera’s Life

    By Tod Leonard
    April 23, 2023
  • Full Swing: Half Empty? A Contrarian View

    By David Weiss
    April 23, 2023
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise