Watch The Short Game For Free

Highly Overrated But Still Good

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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.Another is 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."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.

"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.

Another Netflix success, The Short Game is a documentary that follows eight 7- and 8-year-old golfers from around the world as they prepare for and compete in the World Golf Championships at Pinehurst, NC.These five boys and three girls are prodigies who are delightful to watch as they deal with the demands of year-round training, expectant parents, and the stresses of competition.As we see, it is not just athletic talent that makes these kids so accomplished. They all have strong support systems. More importantly, they all have a passion for the game. Their passion is what makes this film so enjoyable. And passion is a factor that every competitor must deal with, as defeat is inevitable.These players display a lot of poise. Each one has big plans for the future. It will be fun to discover in later years if their plans are realized.I recommend this film for golf enthusiasts, sports lovers, and anyone who enjoys stories of achievement and challenge. I found their stories moving.As an aside, I noted in the end credits that Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake were listed among the producers.

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.