‘The Hawk’ Season 1 Review: Will Ferrell’s Golf Comedy Swing Connects?

Will Ferrell makes his mark in his first ongoing television comedy with ‘The Hawk’, a ten-episode Netflix series that follows a washed-up golf legend striving to reclaim his former glory. The storyline revolves around Lonnie Hawkins, who was once the top player in the world back in 2004 and a three-time major winner. Now, he is desperate for one last Grand Slam before both his body and ego give in.

Molly Shannon portrays Stacy, his estranged wife who has immersed herself in a canned cocktail brand, while Jimmy Tatro plays Lance, his son and current rival on the tour. Fortune Feimster adds to the mix as Sam, a scrappy new caddie that Lonnie recruits almost impulsively. Luke Wilson also appears as a smug rival golfer, and the cast continues to expand with familiar faces.

As the episodes unfold, it becomes evident that ‘The Hawk’ has more ambition than it does discipline. A deeper narrative about fathers and sons, faded glory, and the costs of pursuing a dream that has seemingly moved on without you is buried within these ten episodes.

However, the series tends to introduce new characters and subplots almost every episode, such as an influencer fiancée and a tour board conspiracy, which ultimately buries the central story under its own clutter.

What shines through is the relationship between Lonnie and Sam. Feimster brings a genuine warmth to a character that could have easily been a mere punchline, and her chemistry with Ferrell feels scrappy and authentic, something the rest of the show struggles to replicate. Shannon also does her best with Stacy, uncovering moments of real hurt beneath a character often portrayed as loud and combative.

The main challenge lies with Lonnie himself. Ferrell has a knack for playing overgrown man-children, but the most successful versions of this character usually possess some underlying charm. Lonnie often proves difficult to root for, and the show wavers on whether it wants viewers to laugh at him or with him, leading to some episodes feeling stagnant rather than progressing the story.

This tonal inconsistency extends to the comedy. Some scenes capture the loose, silly energy that made Ferrell a comedy icon, especially those involving Lonnie’s quirky pregame rituals or his one-sided pep talks to golf balls. Yet, other moments feel stretched, resembling sketch ideas that have been elongated to fill a ten-episode order that might have been better suited to six.

Visually, the show adeptly captures the absurdity of professional golf culture, with its pastel polos, sponsor logos, and manicured fairways concealing genuine cutthroat ambition. The production benefits from real access to tour-level golf environments, providing even the weaker episodes with something visually appealing. However, it never quite achieves the satirical commentary on sports culture and legacy that the premise suggests.

By the season’s conclusion, ‘The Hawk’ builds toward a finale that strikes some genuine emotional chords between Lonnie and his son, despite its scattered approach. There’s a tighter, more cohesive show lurking within this one, and you can sense the cast’s efforts to bring it to the surface.

Ultimately, I found ‘The Hawk’ to be entertaining at times yet frustrating at others. It’s a show that garners genuine laughs from its supporting cast, even while its lead character tests your patience. Feimster and Shannon are genuinely worth watching, the satire of the golf world holds real promise, and Ferrell remains committed even when the material falters. Balancing the strong supporting performances against the overstuffed plot and a protagonist who takes too long to become likable, I rate it a 6 out of 10.

Did ‘The Hawk’ win you over or leave you wanting a mulligan? Let me know in the comments where you stand.