Will Ferrell's latest swing at a sports comedy has landed with a thud. The Hawk, a new Netflix series starring Ferrell as a washed-up PGA Tour legend, is getting absolutely shredded by critics. And we're not talking a friendly round of constructive feedback—we're talking a full-on, double-bogey disaster.
The show, which dropped earlier this month, follows Lonnie Hawkins (Ferrell), the top golfer of 2004, as he attempts a comeback while his son Lance (Jimmy Tatro) rises as a new star. The cast also includes Luke Wilson, Molly Shannon, and others. But despite the star power, the early reviews are brutal.
Alex Kirshner of Slate didn't mince words: “I hated to write this because there was no honest way to do it without being mean. Will Ferrell’s new golf show on Netflix is just terrible. Moratorium time on golf TV shows. No more!” That's a pretty clear signal that this isn't a winner.
Ben Axelrod of Front Office Sports added a sharp comparison: “A good show about a Quirky Golf Star Who Plays By His Own Rules feels like a high bar to clear in a world where Happy Gilmore already exists.” Ouch. It seems Ferrell's attempt to channel his iconic golf comedy is falling short of the mark.
The Guardian gave it a two-out-of-five-star rating, calling the show “dated.” Their review questioned the protagonist's likability: “Are we supposed to be rooting for him? I honestly cannot tell. Not because he’s a complex character, but because he’s both comprehensively awful and undeniably charismatic.” They also noted some troubling storylines—like Hawkins stealing a watch from a dead friend—and a reliance on outdated jokes about men being gay. “In theory, The Hawk could work as a comfort watch: there is something cosily retro about seeing Ferrell clown around… But the appeal of such nostalgia is highly variable.”
Golf has seen a massive popularity surge since the pandemic, with packed courses and booming YouTube golf content. We've even seen other scripted golf shows like Apple TV's Stick, starring Owen Wilson. But The Hawk seems to have missed the fairway entirely. This isn't the first time Ferrell has faced criticism for his sports antics—remember when his antics at the Home Run Derby sparked fan fury? It seems his brand of sports comedy isn't for everyone.
With the show's poor reception, it's safe to say this is a pass for most viewers. Unless you're a die-hard Ferrell fan willing to overlook a lot, you might want to look elsewhere for your golf fix.
