The much-anticipated third season of Netflix’s golf documentary series “Full Swing” has been met with widespread disappointment and criticism. With a glittering cast comprised of golfing luminaries such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau, expectations were high. Unfortunately, the series seems to have missed the mark.
The thrill of delving into the personal lives and challenges of iconic golfers has been a major attraction for fans of “Full Swing”. The first season, for instance, featured a heart-rending episode where Ian Poulter discussed his struggles with fame and family, giving viewers a rare glimpse into his vulnerability. The acclaimed second season followed suit, with a particularly memorable episode chronicling Joel Dahmen’s emotional victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship.
Season three, however, has failed to deliver the same level of depth and narrative complexity. Despite promising intriguing storylines – such as Scheffler’s arrest, McIlroy’s rumored divorce, and DeChambeau’s 2021 comeback – the series has been accused of being superficial and disjointed. Fans have lamented the lack of meaningful insight into the golfers’ lives, accusing the producers of prioritizing their proximity to the stars over crafting compelling narratives.
The season’s supposed climax – an episode featuring Scheffler’s arrest and McIlroy’s divorce rumors – turned out to be underwhelming. The only saving grace, according to some viewers, is the season’s final episode, which involves a stunning revelation from Keegan Bradley.
Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment. One fan criticized the short length of the seasons, arguing that there is enough footage to extend the series to at least ten or twelve episodes. Another viewer described the second episode as “torture”.
Golf Monthly also voiced its disappointment in its review of the third season. While it acknowledged the emotional impact of the final episode, it criticized the lack of depth and compelling narrative that characterized the first two seasons.
However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Some viewers appreciated the emotional elements of the season, particularly the segment where Camilo Villegas and his wife candidly discussed the tragic loss of their daughter and their subsequent establishment of a foundation to assist families in similar situations.
Yet, the season’s narrative missteps were too glaring to ignore. For instance, the abrupt mention of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest during an episode focused on Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau’s US Open experience left many viewers confused.
Despite the criticism, the series remains a popular topic of discussion among golf fans. Its future, however, remains uncertain. Will the series recover from this setback and regain its former glory? Only time will tell.
