Will Netflix drive the next golf boom?

A new mainstream documentary series could inspire a fresh wave of golfers, Syngenta research suggests.

Full Swing is a Netflix docuseries that tells the stories of the world’s best golfers through unprecedented access to the PGA Tour and the four majors: the Masters, US PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open.

Viewers will follow the lives of some of golf’s biggest names, including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau, throughout the season, on and off the course.

Previous research by Syngenta found that mainstream broadcasts have a powerful influence in persuading new demographics to try golf, particularly young people, women and under-represented ethnic groups.

A survey of 3,515 female lapsed or non-golfers found that 62% had watched mainstream coverage of Olympic Golf, and of those, 27% said they were inspired to give golf a try.

• Olympic Golf set to appeal to new audience
• *The Global Economic value of increased female participation in golf

Created by Box to Box Films, the team behind Drive to Survive - Netflix’s acclaimed Formula 1 series - Full Swing premieres on February 15, with all eight episodes landing at the same time.

Brandon Riegg, Netflix Vice President of Unscripted and Documentary Series, describes the show as a “first-of-its-kind partnership and unparalleled window into life on the Tour”.

The streaming giant also says the show is “a long way from your Grandpa’s country club,” a hint towards its broad consumer appeal.

Netflix’s Drive to Survive season four became its most-watched series in 33 countries, including the United States.

From 2018 to 2021, there was a 54% increase in F1 viewership and a shift towards a younger, more diverse fanbase.

Watch Full Swing Trailer