The Short Game
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fabulous, kid-friendly docu about world's youngest golfers.
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The Short Game
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Based on 2 parent reviews
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Fun and inspiring for all ages!
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What's the Story?
Every year, North Carolina's exclusive golf resort, Pinehurst, hosts the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship. THE SHORT GAME follows the stories of eight competitors ages 8 and under who are vying to be the best in the world. The kids cross cultural, racial, and class lines. There's the affluent Allan Kournikova (tennis champ Anna's baby brother), who plays at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach; his best friend, Alexa Pano, who never loses; Parisian Augustin Valery, the great-grandson of French poet Paul Valery; and Texas belle Sky Sudberry. Then there's working class Amari "Tigress" Avery, who fancies herself the second coming of Tiger Woods, self-taught Kuang Yang from China, serious Filipino prodigy Jed Dy, and happy-go-lucky South African Zama Nxasana. No matter where these kids come from, one thing's for sure: They all want to take home the top prize at Pinehurst.
Is It Any Good?
Even if you have zero interest in golf, this movie will suck you in with its focus on a group of global prodigies who started playing the sport at a very young age. Like any story about "outliers" who've turned thousands of hours of practice into expertise, The Short Game's dramatic tension comes from the passion these players display (and, in some cases, from the tension many of them experience with their "daddy caddies") at such a high-stakes competition. These kids aren't hobbyists at the tee; they're exceptional. Some come from money, and some just became obsessed with a golf tutorial DVD. One is thrilled to be "most improved player," while another mutters an angry "shoot" after every subpar swing. They may be in second or third grade, but these kids act like professionals when there's a club in their hand.
Through interviews not only with the eight contenders but also their parents, coaches, and adult golf legends, director Josh Greebaum explores the origins of greatness. The pros talk about what truly makes a golfer -- or any athlete -- have "it": a combination of raw talent, technical mastery, and love of the game that propels them. In the end, every viewer will have their favorites to root for (although the universally cheerful Zama and his encouraging dad are hard to beat) and will watch in awe as these kids prove that, on the golf course, they're already legends.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why sports documentaries are so popular. Do you need to know anything about (or even like) golf to enjoy The Short Game? Why or why not?
What did you think about the interviews with the professional golfers? What do they have to say about "making it" in the game of golf -- or any sport?
The movie subtly deals with class issues. Do you think it's easier to become a renowned athlete if your family has more money? Does The Short Game explain how money factors into the sport?
Which young golfer did you root for the most? Which families had the healthiest attitude about their kids' performance?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 20, 2013
- On DVD or streaming: June 10, 2014
- Director: Josh Greenbaum
- Studio: Phase 4 Films
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some language
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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