Apple TV's New Golf Show?

🗣️ Hello Friends,

Have you seen Ted Lasso before? 

Well if you haven’t…

The Apple TV+ comedy series was about an American football coach named Ted Lasso, played by Jason Sudeikis, who gets hired by an English Premier League soccer club to coach its team. 

Due to its popularity, Ted Lasso became the most streamed show on Apple TV+ after its release.

The reviews and feedback of Ted Lasso were so positive that Apple announced last week that they are making a similar show that is centered around golf called “Stick”. 

In this newsletter, we will cover:

• What is Stick about?

• What impact could Stick have on growing golf?

• My expectations for the show

What is Stick about?

Last week, Apple broke some exciting news that on June 4th, they will release the first three episodes of Stick. 

The show is starring Owen Wilson, who plays an ex-professional golfer that played for two decades, and his career was derailed due to off the course issues. Pryce Cahill, Owen Wilson’s character, begins to coach a young misfit 17-year old named Santi, played by Peter Drager. 

Apple stated in their press release, “Stick is a heartfelt, feel-good comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before”. 

Teaser pictures were released by Apple that indicate a handful of professional golfers will have cameos in the series, as in Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Keegan Bradley and Max Homa, along with CBS broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman.

Other actors and actresses starring in the show are Judy Greer, Timothy Olyphant, Lilli Kay, Mariana Trevino and Marc Maron.

What impact could Stick have on growing golf?

In last week’s newsletter, we talked in depth about the impact that Full Swing has made for professional golf. The behind the scenes show has put more eyeballs on tournaments and has created some alternative storylines for fans to discuss. 

Earlier in the newsletter, I compared Ted Lasso to Stick as having a similar concept. I believe Ted Lasso has had an impact on American soccer specifically, trying to help grow the sport domestically. 

Apple TV has seen viewership numbers increase since they inked a deal to broadcast the MLS. You even saw the video game FIFA, or known as EA FC now, add AFC Richmond as a team you can play with in the video game. 

The way that Jason Sudeikis and the rest of the Ted Lasso family were able to capture the hearts of America for the life lessons that Ted and the rest of the cast conveyed. Apple and the Ted Lasso producers were able to build a very passionate community of fans, it would be hard to ignore that Stick has a chance to make a similar impact. 

This is all very premature, as an episode of the show hasn’t even aired yet. However, the actual character of Ted Lasso won over the hearts of America for his values and how funny he was with his team. I believe Owen Wilson has the chance to do something very similar and shine another positive light on the game of golf. 

I am sorry that I am beating a dead horse but it’s just the reality right now. Professional golf needs to capture the younger audience. I think this show will do that, like YouTube Golf, TGL, and Full Swing have.

My Expectations

If you know me, I’m a TV junkie. I am currently watching Severance and White Lotus, as most of America is, or I hope! I am not shy to share my Severance takes to my friends. 

There will be plenty of comparisons to Ted Lasso as we inch closer to the premiere of the show. I believe the show will gather a lot of hype because of this comparison. 

I am trying to keep my expectations realistic and hope that the show is at least a fun, heartfelt watch. The odds of Stick being as big of a show as Ted Lasso are very unlikely, but that’s a tall task for any show.

Only time will tell, but I think Stick will be good enough that it is something that I look forward to each week as episodes get released.