Air Date: Wednesday, October 16 on Apple TV+
Rating: [rating=4]
“.The game is finally giving me something back.” – Pryce Cahill
Pryce “Stick” Cahill (Owen Wilson) was on the path to golf greatness until a very public meltdown derailed his career. Now, barely scraping by, he earns a living teaching golf to beginners. With his life spiraling, things seem hopeless until, during a lesson, he hears the majestic swing of a 17-year-old named Santi (Peter Dager). Seeing remarkable potential, and filled with renewed love for the game, Cahill makes his pitch to mentor the young phenom. But will the ghosts of each of their respective pasts come back to haunt them, or is this a match made in heaven?
Despite spending years as a caddy at my local golf club, most of my golf knowledge comes from the 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore starring Adam Sandler. When Apple+ announced the new series Stick, despite my initial hesitance, I’m glad I gave it a chance. Much like another sports themed Apple+ series Ted Lasso, which focuses on soccer, you don’t need to understand the sport to appreciate the show. Stick also features guest appearances from golf superstars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more.
At its core, Stick is Wilson’s show. Fans of his comedic style won’t be disappointed. Wilson is as charming as ever. His character echoes Roy O’Bannon from Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, radiating an effortless, peaceful bliss in every scene, even when his character Cahill is at his lowest. For as much as I love his film roles, it’s great seeing Wilson doing more television like Loki and now Stick where he’s given time to develop a character.
While Stick primarily focuses on Cahill’s relationship with Santi, the writers find time to incorporate two strong female leads. Mariana Treviño shines as Santi’s mom, Elena, bringing warmth and depth to her role. Having previously enjoyed her performance in A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, I enjoyed seeing her get more screen time in this series.
Lilli Kay, on the other hand, took a little getting used to. Her character, Zero, is somewhat of a mysterious drifter, and at first, I wasn’t sure where the writers were going with her arc. However, as the season progressed, she develops into one of my favorites. Rounding out the female leads is Judy Greer as Cahill’s ex-wife, Amber-Lynn.
Although I enjoyed Wilson’s performance, it’s Marc Maron’s portrayal of Cahill’s former caddy, Mitts, who steals the show. Nearly every scene he appears in is a standout, as his character unexpectedly becomes the voice of reason for everyone in the group. His dry wit and grounded presence add a great balance to the show’s dynamic, and I truly hope Stick gets a second season so we can see even more of him.
While Stick is an enjoyable series, its writing holds it back from being even better. The issue isn’t bad storytelling, but rather a lack of depth in key moments, with certain details left unexplored or underdeveloped. Simple additions to dialogue could have clarified character choices and plot points, preventing the lingering questions that occasionally disrupt the flow.
Some of these aspects may get cleaned up in a second season, but others felt intentionally withheld for dramatic effect. When major reveals finally arrive, they often feel overdue, making earlier omissions feel forced rather than organic. Unlike Ted Lasso, where emotional moments unfold naturally, Stick sometimes leans too much on deliberate setups.
Despite these flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the series. The chemistry between the characters and the strength of the actors’ performances make it easy to overlook some of the writing’s shortcomings. Owen Wilson delivers one of my favorite performances of his career, and the journey this group takes both emotionally and physically is entertaining to watch. There’s a certain appeal to the show making it easy to overlook any shortcomings. Despite some aspects of the writing being less than desirable, it doesn’t detract from the overall delectation of the show.
Stick is a delightful series that, while predictable at times, delivers enough engaging twists to keep viewers on their toes, eager for more. While Stick may be reminiscent of Happy Gilmore, this series quickly finds its own voice. What begins as a story about golf evolves into a heartfelt journey where a group of unlikely people must put their differences aside and come together for the greater good and love of the game.
Look for Stick on June 4th on Apple+ https://apple.co/_Stick
Photos: ©2025 Apple TV+. All Rights Reserved.
