Full Swing Thoughts

Brendan and Joseph start the episode with thoughts on Full Swing Season Two and how it compares to Season One. Then they move on to Awards, which prompts some back-and-forth about Keegan Bradley and whether or not content from the Netflix show could impact his chances of making the 2025 Ryder Cup. The conversation turns to what both Brendan and Joseph agree is arguably the most impactful scene of the entire season, followed by an objection to the Justin Thomas Ryder Cup discourse. After going through notes, Brendan and Joseph reflect on another season of Full Swing in the books and which scenes will stick with them. Before signing off, they express skepticism about what future seasons of Full Swing may look like and lament the lack of buy-in from some of the best players in the world.

A scrambling Zach Johnson calls his friends to let them know they’re going to Rome. Brendan and Joseph have thoughts on the substance and delivery of Captain Zach’s phone calls. A Ryder Cup participant receives an Award for realizing that the event is real while getting smoked during the Friday morning session. Then Brendan and Joseph wrap up the episode with notes and wonder if the Netflix show provides viewers with enough unique perspective versus recapping golf stories fans already experienced.

Commence the Ryder Cup portion of Full Swing. Brendan and Joseph dive right into Zach Johnson’s entrance into the show, which quickly transitions into a discussion around the appearance of impropriety. “Will Justin Thomas be selected for the Ryder Cup?” was the biggest question of the summer in 2023, and Brendan and Joseph note the fortuitous timing in filming the show as the JT debate unfolded. The two present their Awards from this episode, reaching consensus on a powerful scene featuring Keegan Bradley. Then they empty their notebooks to close out a provocative episode.

Brendan and Joseph dive into the fifth episode of Full Swing, which highlights Alex Fitzpatrick’s hunger to thrive outside of his brother Matt’s shadow. Brendan and Joseph express their amusement at how the Zurich Classic is portrayed and their appreciation for Netflix’s clever transitions between scenes. Awards are handed out to their rightful owners before Brendan and Joseph close out the episode with their notes.

Brendan and Joseph pull no punches in discussing the fourth episode of Full Swing, an episode centered around “generational talent” Tom Kim. They discuss Kim’s stature in the sport versus how Netflix depicts him while pondering if they or the pundits in the show are the crazy ones. Brendan and Joseph each hand out Awards, which lends itself to a discussion about the severity of Tom Kim’s injury at the 2023 Open Championship. They finish with notes and overall thoughts on how this episode stacks up against the previous three.

With the third installment of Full Swing, the show seems to have hit its stride, at least in Brendan and Joseph’s opinions. The two express an appreciation for how the mental game of golf is portrayed through the lens of Joel Dahmen and Wyndham Clark, two players on different trajectories in the sport. Clark takes home a couple of Brendan and Joseph’s Awards. They empty their notebooks to close out the episode and tease some skepticism around Episode 4, which labels Tom Kim as a global superstar.

Brendan and Joseph break down the second episode of Full Swing, which heavily focuses on Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. They hand out Awards and empathize with the players who were rightfully incensed about one element of the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. Brendan finds one quote particularly illustrative of a player’s competitive makeup. Then they bring the episode home with amusing odds and ends.

Brendan and Joseph kick off Season Two of Full Swing Thoughts with initial impressions of the second season of Full Swing. Then they present Awards for miscellaneous categories based on scenes from the first episode, which sparks a lively conversation around Justin Thomas punching down and whether or not Rory was too busy to succeed on the golf course in 2023. To round out the season debut, Brendan and Joseph unload the notebook with a variety of observations from the first episode.

The season one finale is the telling of Rory’s year, both as a player and PGA Tour leader in the fight against LIV. Rory was a late sign-on to the show, so they discuss the portrayal of the most important figure in the game in 2022. There are also further laments about the negligible Cam Smith story arc set against Rory’s second half of the season. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by Zero Restriction -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

A wide-ranging chat on the episode featuring the two rookies, Mito Pereira and Sahith Theegala. Andy, Joseph, and Brendan begin with some positive thoughts on what they found informative and enjoyable about this episode. But then it gets a little spicy, with some major concerns and issues about how the show is handling the biggest storyline of the year in pro golf and the LIV conflicts it may have. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by our good friends at B. Draddy -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

The hangups about last episode come through again in this review of episode 6, and the FST trio feels left wanting for more Finau story and wondering what’s accomplished at all with the Collin Morikawa parts of the show. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by Zero Restriction -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

An episode both long and short, as the Netflix producers continue their theme of highlighting two players, often contrasts, in one episode. Brendan, Andy, and Joseph discuss DJ’s lovability, or escapability from the LIV scorn that found so many, and Matt Fitzpatrick’s breakthrough summer. They also debate whether we’re really getting much new about these players in the show overall for it to be a success. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by our good friends at B. Draddy -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

A discussion of Full Swing taking a peak at the “mid tier” of the PGA Tour with the compelling story and personality of Joel Dahmen. What did we learn about Joel, specifically, and the plight of the pro who might not be at the most elite level? Was this time well spent for the series as a whole? This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by Zero Restriction -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

This episode discusses the first real time the show starts to wrestle with the LIV disruption, through the eyes and decision of Ian Poulter. One host, however, argues the episode is an “F” and a “disaster” while the others try to convey what they found useful and what fell flat. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by our good friends at B. Draddy -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

The FST trio reacts to a strong second episode of Full Swing, arguably a dramatic step-up from the opener (that’s debated within). Andy, Brendan, and Joseph discuss the jarring Brooks Koepka vulnerability, sulkiness, and self-doubt throughout the episode, and how it contrasted against the rise and mental freedom of Scottie Scheffler. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by Zero Restriction -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

It’s here! The first episode of Full Swing Thoughts with Andy Johnson, Joseph LaMagna, and Brendan Porath begins with some initial thoughts on their first glimpses at the show, specifically how it looks and feels and what that may mean for the rest of the season. Then they get into the Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas storyline, outlining what flopped and did not work, and what got them fired up for the series. There’s also an unexpected MVP of the episode. This episode of Full Swing Thoughts is supported by our good friends at B. Draddy -- use code TFE25 at checkout for 25 percent off your purchase.

Welcome to Full Swing Thoughts, a new podcast from The Fried Egg reviewing, discussing, and critiquing the Netflix golf docuseries, "Full Swing." Hosted by Brendan Porath, Andy Johnson and Joseph LaMagna, this podcast feed will cover each episode of the highly anticipated show.