Apple TV+’s Stick — A Dramedy That Finds Its Swing

Stick isn’t just about golf… it’s about broken people trying to find their way back to themselves.

And for most of its 10-episode run, it nails that balance between drama and comedy.

Sure, the message wobbles midway through the season, but by the finale, it sinks the emotional putt.

At its core, the show follows Pryce Cahill (Owen Wilson), a washed up golf pro battling depression after losing his young son to cancer.

Enter Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager), a troubled kid with abandonment issues after his father walked out.

Pryce uses his love and knowledge of the game to help Santi… but make no mistake, this is as much Santi’s story as it is Pryce’s. The pacing is tight, the episodes are packed, and you actually want to hit “next episode” when the credits roll.

The supporting cast delivers, with Marc Maron’s “Mitts” adding some dry humor, Mariana Treviño bringing grounded warmth as Santi’s mother, and Judy Greer popping in as Pryce’s ex-wife. But Santi? He’s the heart and soul of this thing, carrying most of the show’s emotional weight.

Unfortunately, not every character works. Santi’s love interest, Zero (Lilli Kay), is written like a walking Instagram thread… a modern-day liberal try hard whose “quirky” edge quickly becomes grating. It’s the one part of the script that whiffs hard.

Golf fans should love the authenticity of the tournament and training scenes as they really capture the feel of being on the course. The writing, outside of the Zero subplot, is sharp and heartfelt.

Stick is worth the watch, so long as you push past the Zero problem. It’s heartfelt, funny in the right places, and ultimately inspiring.

Score: 3/5

Slav

Just a guy making his way through the Universe

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