20.04.23 | Earlier this year, Netflix aired the eight-part sporting documentary “Full Swing” to give a behind-the-scenes look at the players and tournaments of the PGA Tour. The production comes from the same team behind the popular Formula 1 series “Drive to Survive” and tennis’s “Break Point”. As the Formula 1 series turbocharged the sport into popularity, especially among American audiences, it would be fair to assume some tailwinds for the golf industry as well. While total US annual golf rounds played were highest in 2000/2001 at 518 million rounds, coinciding with Tiger Woods’ rise to fame, popularity has since slowly declined through 2019. But the Covid pandemic, and with it an increase in schedule flexibility (working from home) and the desire to be outside caused an upswing in participation. However this has already started to recede, begging the question: will Full Swing, with its follow-up season already announced, be able to drive the sport’s popularity further down the fairway?
Source: US Golf Association, March 2023