Revealed: Full Swing Series Boosts Instagram Followings Of Main Stars
Several players featured in the series have gained thousands of new followers on the platform following its release
Netflix docuseries Full Swing didn’t just benefit viewers by offering a unique insight into the lives of players on the PGA Tour, it also had a significant impact on the social media presence of its cast.
A new study conducted by Sport World News has broken down the extent to which stars of the series, including Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and Joel Dahmen, have seen their influence on Instagram boosted since it was released on 15 February.
The story of McIlroy’s bid to win the 150th Open at St Andrews and his eventual Tour Championship success provided a fitting end to the series in Everything Has Led To This. As the most high-profile player to feature, it’s not surprising that McIlroy – who came second only to Tiger Woods in the latest PIP Award - retains the greatest influence on the platform.
Indeed, with over 2.4 million Instagram followers, the former World No.1 could apparently command an eye-catching £6,693 ($8,024) per sponsored Instagram post. The Northern Irishman’s posts also create the most engagement of anyone in the series - over 50,000 likes on average.
Not far behind McIlory is a player who featured in the first episode of the series, Frenemies. The ever-popular Rickie Fowler has the potential to earn £5,200 ($6,234) per sponsored Instagram post thanks to his 1.9 million followers.
The two players who featured most prominently in that episode, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas aren’t doing badly either, with the former able to potentially command £4,707 ($5,639) per sponsored post via his 1.7 million followers and the latter £3,921 ($4,700) thanks to his 1.4 million followers. Thomas’ relationship with his dad, Mike, was one of the most engaging stories in the series, and that’s reflected in his boost in followers since its release, with a gain of more than 41,000.
One of the most touching episodes of the series, Imposter Syndrome, featured current World No.97 Joel Dahmen, whose self-deprecating humour and firm friendship with caddie Geno Bonnalie captured the hearts of viewers, and over 104,000 new Instagram followers.
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Episode six featured Collin Morikawa and Tony Finau, but it was the latter’s heartwarming bond with his family and rags-to-riches backstory that stole the show, and that’s demonstrated in his 35,000 new Instagram followers since the series was released.
Elsewhere, LIV Golf player Ian Poulter has also enjoyed a boost. Despite losing hundreds of followers per week after joining the circuit, he gained 14,000 new Instagram followers within two weeks of the show’s release. Poulter’s struggle for both form, family life and deliberations over whether to join LIV Golf were central to episode three, Money or Legacy, where Poulter took centre stage.
The most influential LIV Golf player is Dustin Johnson, whose 1.2 million Instagram followers could help him earn £3,374 ($4,045) per sponsored post, while Brooks Koepka can potentially earn £2,940 ($3,524) per sponsored post courtesy of his Instagram audience of one million.
However, one member of the cast who is not even a player has a bigger social media presence than most. Johnson’s wife Paulina Gretzky, the daughter of Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, has one million Instagram followers – a number swelled thanks to the series.
A spokesperson for Sports World News pointed out that, despite appearances from some of the world highest profile players, it was Dahmen who was the breakout star: “It’s fascinating to see which players have resonated most with fans: Joel Dahmen gained far more followers than anyone else, revealing him as a clear hit with viewers.”
The spokesperson also speculated on the future, but wouldn’t be drawn on whether PGA Tour player or LIV Golf players will benefit the most, saying: "Full Swing’s popularity could lead to more opportunities for players outside the TV show, though time will tell if the biggest offers go to PGA or LIV golfers.”
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
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