The Short Game

I hadn't heard of this doco before I stumbled on it in Netflix. I'm a big fan of sports doco's especially 30 for 30. This is so well produced, I loved all the human moments of this doco, and the kids passion golf at 7 or 8 is hard to believe.

Update: August 20, 2023 - One of the kids was 8-yr-old Alexa Pano, today on her 19th birthday she won her first LPGA tournament in Northern Ireland. Seems the documentary did predict a few successes.

I am a golfer. Have been for about 55 years. Until I came across this documentary film on Netflix streaming movies I had no idea this yearly competition existed, top 7 and 8-yr-old golfers from all over the world competing for 3 days, 9 shortened holes each day, for "world champion" golfer in their age and gender division.

The way this film is set up, they spend a few minutes of dedicated time on each of several golfers who are profiled in the film. Each is shown in his or her own home area, like Woodlands, TX, or Paris, France, or South Africa, or China. We see one or more family members, sometimes a golf coach, or a fitness coach, some of their practice time, and the kids themselves get to explain why they play golf and how it fits into their overall lives.

One of the more interesting ones is Allen Kournikova, half-brother of the former tennis pro Anna Kournikova. He has already won many age-group tournaments and has as a goal, of course, the number one golfer in the world. (However, by 2023 it seems that he might have hit his ceiling.)

Another is Amari Avery, the girl from California with parallels to Tiger Woods, and even calls herself "Tigress". Her dad claims he has been brainwashing her since she was 3 to become the best golfer in the world, or as he states it "The next greatest golfer in the world." As of 2023 she has progressed a lot, she is a top college golfer but will she achieve greatness? The jury is still out.

It often isn't pretty as some of these parents seem too invested in whether the kid wins or loses. There isn't much "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." As a parent myself, and a person who was never pushed as a child, I am concerned what the effect might be on these kids as they grow up, trying to handle pressure to win all the time.

But overall the positives strongly outweigh the negatives in this film, we see excerpts of the 3 days of competition, plus some funny "free time" activities. One humorous one was the Chinese family having dinner in the Chinese restaurant in N. Carolina. They comment (translated) that the Chinese food there doesn't taste much like their food back home. The boy, the young golfer, says "it is a little bit better".

Now I just find myself wondering what will became of these kids over the next 12 to 15 years. As a long-time golf fan I have seen many, many young "can't miss" golfers who never made it as a pro, their potential as kids never materialized the way it was predicted.

A couple of interesting executive producers of the film are Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. I played their course last November just outside Memphis, TN.

Unlike other reviewers here, I have to differ to the rest. This documentary was uncomfortable viewing. These are just little kids, and really even in 2-3 years time (let alone 20 years) we don't know how they'll develop physically & mentally. The world is full of those who could have been.

This documentary has some very uncomfortable parent child connections, and as they were kids I'll leave out who I'm referring to (but those who have watched the documentary likely know who I'm talking about).

The kids are over coached and prepared for interviews! That is uncomfortable in itself. It was great to see the kids when they were allowed to just be well... kids! Yet here there is an ultra competitiveness. With all due respect, who cares in the long-term who was the best 7 year old at golf? Some guy might not pick up a golf club until he is 14 and end up trouncing all of them.

For me, I thought this was uncomfortable viewing, not that thankfully I had their lifestyle. The life of the rich and famous can be quite strange to outsiders like us all. Really this should have been all much more critical of certain people in this documentary, but seemed to just show it all as happy!

A documentary that I feel that may be hiding the truth that may only come out in many years to come.

"The Short Game" is a very enjoyable documentary about something you'd never think would be interesting...a world champion golf tournament for children. This film follows a few of the boys and girls both before and during the tournament. What I liked about most of the participants is that they were kids and seemed to be enjoying themselves. However, at the same time, I was a bit concerned about a couple of the kids (one in particular) and the extreme pressure placed on them. Sure, they might do well short term but what shape will the kids be in emotionally by the time they get to adulthood? In many ways, this actually plays out a lot like a documentary about child actors or beauty contestants.

As far as how the film is constructed, it's a pretty amazing film. The film crew went to several countries to shoot some of the scenes. And, it was all put together very well--so well that you find yourself very emotionally invested in the kids. Worth seeing and fun.

I saw this film at South by Southwest and was so charmed I cant wait to see it again. I have recommended it to anyone how has kids, plays golf or just loves a good real life story. The young stars of the movie carry it alone, but the story of their lives, hard work, friendships and families make it personal and easy to relate to. These are 7 year old children from all over the world, each with a different life story who come together in serious competition, with talent beyond imagining and aspirations to be the next Tiger Woods, Gary Player or Jack Nicholson....even the girls! You will laugh with them, cry for them and root for them all, but alas not everyone can win. So you will have to watch it yourself to see. You wont be sorry.