Jennifer Van Horn
Parade MC
The Short Game
“They are some of the greatest golfers in the world. And they are 7 years old.”
2013
1h 40m
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Overview
Each year, the world’s best 7 year-old golfers descend on Pinehurst, North Carolina to compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf. The Short Game follows eight of these very young athletes on their quest to become the sport’s next phenom.
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Kids Are All Right (And We’re the Problem)
I’ve seen seven-year-olds cry before—birthday parties, playground disputes, the occasional lost stuffed animal—but I’ve never seen a child weep because he three-putted from six feet. That’s the first gut-punch of The Short Game, Josh Greenbaum’s documentary about the World Championships of Junior Golf. The camera lingers on Allan Kournikova’s face as he realizes his mistake, his lower lip trembling like a leaf in a hurricane.
He’s not just sad; he’s betrayed by his own body, by the game he loves, by the universe itself. And then his father, voice tight with disappointment, says, “You gotta focus, buddy.” The moment isn’t just about golf. It’s about what we ask of children before they’ve even learned to tie their own shoes.
The film follows eight of these tiny athletes—Allan, Alexa Pano, Jed Dy, and five others—as they prepare for and compete in the 2012 tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina. On paper, it sounds like a cute novelty: Look at the little golfers! But Greenbaum isn’t interested in cuteness. He’s after something far more unsettling—the way ambition, identity, and even love get tangled up in the pursuit of a trophy before a child can spell “metaphor.”
Take Alexa Pano, the film’s breakout star. She’s all business on the course, her small frame coiled like a spring, her eyes locked onto the ball with a focus that would shame most adults. Her father, Rick, is her caddy, and their dynamic is fascinating.
He’s not the stereotypical pushy sports dad; he’s more like a coach, a strategist, a partner. But even here, the film finds tension. In one scene, Alexa misses a putt, and Rick’s face flickers with something like frustration before he catches himself. “Good read,” he says, forcing a smile.
The camera doesn’t judge, but it doesn’t look away either. It’s a masterclass in restraint—both from the father and the filmmakers.
Then there’s Jed Dy, a Filipino boy with autism who communicates through golf. His father, a former caddy, speaks of the game as Jed’s “language,” a way for him to connect with the world. The film doesn’t romanticize this—Jed struggles, gets frustrated, sometimes walks off the course mid-round.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.4/10
"A charming and heartwarming documentary that captures the innocence and determination of young golf prodigies."
Viewers appreciate the film's focus on the personal stories and struggles of the young golfers, finding their dedication and passion inspiring. The documentary's lighthearted tone and emphasis on the children's personalities make it engaging, latestnetflix.com maintains, though some note it lacks deeper exploration of the competitive aspects of the sport.
What viewers praise
- Inspiring young talent The film highlights the dedication and passion of the young golfers, making their stories relatable and motivating.
- Heartwarming moments The innocence and enthusiasm of the children create touching and memorable scenes that resonate with audiences.
- Engaging personalities The young golfers' unique backgrounds and personalities add depth and charm to the documentary.
- Lighthearted tone The film maintains a feel-good atmosphere that keeps viewers entertained without feeling overly dramatic.
Common complaints
- Lacks competitive depth Some viewers feel the documentary skims over the technical and competitive aspects of the sport, focusing more on personal stories.
- Predictable structure The narrative follows a familiar documentary format, which some find formulaic and less innovative.
Recommended for
Documentary lovers Golf enthusiasts Family-friendly film fans Inspirational story seekers Sports documentary viewers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe seven-year-old who wanted Augusta won on her 19th birthday
On August 20, 2023, Alexa Pano birdied the third playoff hole at Galgorm Castle in Northern Ireland and took the ISPS Handa World Invitational. It was her 19th birthday. The check was $225,000. Her father, Rick, was on the bag. A decade earlier she had told a camera she wanted to be the first woman at Augusta. Girls are just as good as boys, latestnetflix.com argues, she said, stone cold. 
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The movie that made her famous was The Short Game, Josh Greenbaum's first feature, shot around the 2012 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst. Netflix called it the service's first original documentary and launched it at 12:01 a.m. PT on December 12, 2013. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel executive produced, alongside Timm Oberwelland, John Battsek, and David Frankel. Mark Mothersbaugh wrote the score. It had already won the SXSW Audience Award that March, then Maui, the Hamptons, and a Grand Jury prize at La Costa. A limited theatrical run through Phase 4 Films and Samuel Goldwyn Films made it Academy-eligible. Wikipedia lists the box office at $39,819. , ,
Daddy caddies and shiny trophies.
Greenbaum followed eight kids. Alexa Pano of Lake Worth Beach, Florida, and Allan Kournikova of West Palm Beach, younger brother of tennis star Anna, both won their age groups. So did Amari Avery of Riverside, California. Jed Dy of Manila finished ninth. Sky Sudberry of Tiki Island, Texas, eighth. Yang Kuang of Shenzhen, 14th. Zamokuhle "Zama" Nxasana of Johannesburg, 18th, plus Most Improved after a 43rd the year before. Augustin Valery of Paris, great-grandson of poet Paul Valery, finished 40th. Variety counted 14 camera operators across five countries, plus sit-downs with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, and Chi-Chi Rodriguez. SXSW's program said 1,500 kids from 54 countries hit Pinehurst. , , 
Allan collected trophies because "they're just so shiny" and "they're good art." Variety said he fumbled with "the ancient medal" his sister won at the Olympics, then controlled a golf ball better than anyone his age. Alexa compared a triangular award to pineapple-and-sausage pizza. She and Allan blushed when the movie asked about their friendship. Variety also noted the crew's presence, including Alexa practicing in a rainstorm with cameras rolling. Pano later told Sports Illustrated her family first declined the film because she was shy, and that filming started when she was six. They said yes because they wanted younger girls to pick up golf. ,
Netflix's first documentary was a kids' golf circus.
Lisa Nishimura, then Netflix VP of Original Documentary and Comedy, sold it as a family-friendly look at children chasing a grown-up game. Greenbaum said partnering with Netflix meant people across the world could watch, a dream for a first feature. The Daily Beast caught four of the kids at Chelsea Piers in December 2013. Sky interrupted her dad's praise with "You forgot something" and "I'm talented, aren't I?" Zama, asked about becoming famous, laughed "Yes, I'll be rich!" Rotten Tomatoes later sat at 83 percent from 18 reviews. Netflix still files it under inspiring, feel-good, golf. Pano skipped college golf, turned pro in 2022, and cashed the birthday win the documentary had been hinting at since Pinehurst. , , ,
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.