“Stick” on Apple TV+: A Heartfelt, Hilarious Golf Drama with Shades of “Tin Cup”

Apple TV+’s new comedy-drama series “Stick” is a breezy, sentimental ride through the world of golf, filled with laughs, heartwarming moments, and nostalgic parallels to the 1996 classic “Tin Cup.” Much like Kevin Costner’s Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, Owen Wilson’s Pryce “Stick” Cahill is a fallen golf prodigy trying to find redemption amid life’s rough patches.

In “Tin Cup,” Roy runs a shabby driving range in West Texas, finding companionship in his loyal caddy Romeo (Cheech Marin). In “Stick,” Pryce ends up working at a sporting goods store in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his only friend being his former caddy Mitts (Marc Maron). Both characters are raw talents who self-sabotaged their promising careers, and both are contrasted by polished antagonists—Don Johnson’s David Simms in “Tin Cup” and Timothy Olyphant’s Clark Ross in “Stick.”

While both stories feature familiar golf-world motifs like mobile homes, pro golfer cameos, and barroom bets, “Stick” distinguishes itself through tone. Created by Jason Keller (Ford v Ferrari) and executive produced by Wilson, the series blends snappy sitcom dialogue with heartfelt storytelling. It resists cynicism and instead leans into warmth, humor, and second chances.

Filmed in Vancouver but set across middle America, the series opens with a reflective monologue from Pryce, voiced by Wilson, as we’re shown iconic real-life golf legends. “There’s a moment on the course,” he says, “when if the light is just right, heaven and earth meet.” This poetic note sets the stage for a journey that’s as much about human connection as it is about golf.

Pryce is a charming, dysfunctional hustler with a history of screwing up. His fortunes shift when he discovers Santi Wheeler (Peter Dager), a 17-year-old with raw golfing talent. Pryce takes Santi under his wing, becoming his coach on a grassroots campaign to qualify for the U.S. Amateur. They hit the road alongside Mitts, Santi’s spirited mother Elena (Mariana Trevińo), her three scruffy dogs, and a rundown RV.

The makeshift family grows to include Zero (Lilli Kay), a free-spirited, gender-fluid character who joins the group after losing their job in an act of defiance against a toxic golfer. Zero’s activist energy brings a new perspective, although the writing occasionally pushes their dialogue into preachy territory.

Despite a few predictable beats, the character dynamics shine. From road trip hijinks to emotional growth, the core group’s chemistry adds depth to the show’s comedic foundation. Olyphant plays the smug rival to perfection, while Judy Greer, as Pryce’s ex Amber-Linn, brings heartfelt clarity to his past mistakes, telling him: “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life watching you waste yours.”

The show is peppered with clever pop culture references and an energetic soundtrack, including tracks from ZZ Top, The Knack, The Who, and more. The golf scenes, enhanced by overhead drones and immersive P.O.V. shots, keep the action visually engaging, even if the sport lacks the inherent drama of other major leagues.

While “Stick” draws inspiration from Ted Lasso and Shrinking, it doesn’t reach the same emotional depth. Still, it’s a promising and enjoyable series with potential for a long run. Wilson is pitch-perfect as Pryce, and the writing offers enough wit and heart to keep viewers invested.

All 10 episodes were made available for review. The first three are currently streaming on Apple TV+, with new episodes released weekly.