Netflix’s Full Swing has been a cultural lightning rod for golf since its debut, offering fans a raw, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of the game’s biggest stars. With Season 3 dropping in 2025, the show returns at a crucial moment amid LIV Golf tensions, major championship drama, and a new generation rising through the ranks.
So, did Full Swing hit the mark this time? Here’s our take on what Season 3 got right and where it missed.
What Full Swing Season 3 Got Right
1. Deeper Character Arcs
Season 3 finally leaned into longer, layered storytelling, focusing less on single events and more on season-long arcs. We saw the emotional highs and lows of players like Justin Thomas, Rose Zhang, and Tony Finau, giving fans a better sense of who they really are not just how they play.
This approach made the show feel more like Drive to Survive in its prime—less scattered, more emotionally connected.
2. Highlighting Women’s Golf
This season marks the first time LPGA players were featured more prominently, including rising star Rose Zhang and veteran Nelly Korda. Their inclusion brought much-needed balance to the show, showcasing the talent, pressure, and visibility gap women in golf still face.
This was a huge win for fans who’ve long asked for more inclusive storytelling.
3. The LIV Golf Tension Was Real
Instead of avoiding the elephant in the room, Full Swing embraced it. The show tackled the PGA vs. LIV drama head-on, with real locker-room conversations, uncomfortable pressers, and honest interviews with players on both sides of the divide.
It made for some of the show’s best, most dramatic moments.
What Season 3 Missed
1. Still Too Polished at Times
Despite being marketed as “raw access,” certain episodes still felt too PR-friendly, especially with top-tier players. Viewers could feel when someone was playing to the camera or giving safe answers instead of showing true vulnerability.
Golf is emotional and unpredictable—let the show reflect that fully.
2. Lack of Diverse Perspectives Off the Course
While Season 3 improved in featuring global players and more women, there’s still room to grow. We didn’t get enough insight into caddies, coaches, family dynamics, or even the growing number of non-white voices in the game.
As golf becomes more diverse in both players and fans, the show needs to reflect that evolution more intentionally.
3. Too Few Creative Risks
The format is starting to feel a little formulaic. There’s room for more experimentation—think mini-docs, deeper lifestyle content, or creator crossovers with golf YouTubers and influencers shaping the culture today.
Full Swing has the access. It just needs to push the envelope creatively.
Final Thoughts
Netflix’s Full Swing Season 3 delivered stronger stories, more drama, and a better balance of personalities. But it still has untapped potential—especially in highlighting the sport’s evolving culture and next-gen fanbase.
