Stick (2025) hit the green in early June on Apple TV+, swinging at the familiar genre of sports comedy with a golf twist. The show launched with three episodes on June 4, 2025, giving viewers a solid taste of its tone and direction. After that, it teed up new episodes every Wednesday through July 23. The anticipation surrounded Owen Wilson’s first small — screen leading role, but “Stick” offers more than just his signature laid — back charm.
Basic Facts and Cast
Jason Keller, the show’s creator, assembled a notable cast. Owen Wilson leads as Pryce Cahill, a once — promising golfer now down on his luck. The core cast features:
- Peter Dager, stepping into the role of golf prodigy Santi Wheeler,
- Mariana Treviño as Santi’s resourceful mother, Elena,
- Marc Maron bringing a dry bite as Mitts, Pryce’s old caddie,
- Lilli Kay playing the mysterious drifter, Zero.
True golf fans can spot familiar faces. Real professional golfers — like Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, and Max Homa — pop up alongside broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman. These cameos add a layer of authenticity and insider flavor.
Premise and Emotional Hooks
The story unfolds with Pryce Cahill, a golf star who fizzled out after a scandal two decades ago. His life now feels like a string of bad drives — recently divorced, jobless, and floating. Everything shifts when Pryce discovers Santi Wheeler, a 17 — year — old powerhouse with raw golf talent and emotional baggage. Pryce senses redemption in guiding Santi toward the fairway.
But Pryce doesn’t operate alone. Alongside Santi and Elena, old sidekick Mitts and wandering teen Zero round out a makeshift, ragtag team. Together, they navigate personal challenges and golf’s competitive world. The show explores second chances, mentorship, and the odd families we build when blood ties falter.
Critical Reception: Overview
As of June 2025, critics have responded with reserved positivity toward “Stick.” The Rotten Tomatoes score lands at 77%, based on 35 reviews. Critics agree Owen Wilson brings the gravitas and easygoing charisma needed to anchor the ensemble, with reviews noting the show “putts predictably but accomplishes its aim of gentle entertainment commendably under par.” Metacritic sits at 61, further cementing the consensus of generally favorable but not glowing opinions.
Many reviewers walked in with “Ted Lasso” on their minds — inevitable, given the sports — meets — heartwarming — comedy formula. For better or worse, “Stick” draws several comparisons. The verdict? “Stick” doesn’t revolutionize the game, but it doesn’t tank either.
Three Key Strengths: Where “Stick” Scores
- Owen Wilson’s Commanding, Yet Relatable Performance
Wilson finds his sweet spot playing Pryce. Critics emphasize his ability to balance melancholy and charm, presenting a broken man with empathy and wit. You want him to succeed, even if he can’t stop tripping over his own shoelaces. Marc Maron, meanwhile, injects nice snark as Mitts, keeping emotional moments from becoming too syrupy.
- Honest Blending of Humor and Emotional Weight
“Stick” doesn’t just toss out one — liners. The jokes often reveal character vulnerabilities. Reviewers find this touch refreshing, as the emotional tension gets released in laughter, then ambushes the viewer with sincere reflection and growth. It’s a little raw at times — especially the early scenes where Santi’s pain pares away to reveal ambition — but never feels manipulative. The emerging bond between Pryce and Santi serves as the backbone, giving stakes to every awkward hug or triumphant swing.
- Golf World Portrayal Feels Real and Inviting
Golf shows and movies risk alienating casual audiences or boring the hardcore crowd. By weaving in real — life golfers and authentic golf settings, “Stick” appeals directly to insiders without losing casual viewers. The cameos and tournament details keep the series grounded, while also allowing for sly humor that only devoted fans will catch.
Three Notable Weaknesses: Sand Traps on the Fairway
- Predictable Plotlines and Redemptive Tropes
If you’ve seen a sports redemption story, “Stick” feels familiar. Down — on — his — luck mentor, raw but talented youth, emotional baggage, dramatic final putt — it’s all there. That predictability left several critics wanting more risk or surprise. While the execution works, the playbook feels worn.
- Initial Character Stereotyping
Early episodes present a parade of clichés. Mitts is the classic grumpy caddie. Zero feels like another damaged drifter. Santi’s “angry prodigy” arc borders on tired. Thankfully, critics note the show course — corrects, granting these characters greater nuance over time. But for viewers with low patience, the first impression might be a slog.
- Living in the Shadow of “Ted Lasso”
The earnest, encouraging tone and underdog spirit mean that “Stick” can’t avoid “Ted Lasso” comparisons. While some critics enjoyed finding echoes of “Lasso’s” optimism, others saw this as a crutch. “Stick” struggles at times to establish its own voice and identity, sometimes feeling like an echo rather than an original melody. For viewers seeking something trailblazing, this could become a distraction.
Digging Deeper: The Heart of “Stick”
But there’s more to “Stick” than bullet points. The rhythm of each episode swings between awkward encounters and warm reconciliation. One reviewer noted how the pacing reflected golf: slow, quiet moments interrupted by bursts of tension and release. Scenes between Pryce and Santi carry a genuine awkwardness, with Wilson’s eyes constantly darting as if chasing an invisible ball.
Maron’s Mitts steps in with droll one — liners, deflating sentimentality just before it smothers you. Elena’s resourcefulness provides grounding, while Zero’s mysteriousness keeps things just off — balance.
The golf scenery works well visually. Authentic courses, the clatter of clubs, the hush of the green — they build atmosphere. Professional golfer cameos don’t feel forced. Broadcasters Nantz and Immelman lend the sports scenes credibility, making even non — golfers understand the stakes.
Still, the main risk is pacing. While the show’s tempo mimics a lazy afternoon on the links, some viewers might long for a faster game. It’s not an adrenaline ride, but rather a slow walk under a sunlit sky, sprinkled with big and small emotional victories.
Narrative Structure: Nothing New Under the Sun, But Done Well
If you look for wild plot twists, “Stick” will disappoint. But if you gravitate toward steady character growth, the show pays off. Pryce doesn’t magically reinvent himself. Santi’s journey follows a stubborn, sometimes painful trajectory. Conflicts never feel manufactured for shock — they stem from old wounds and fresh motivations.
The sweetness, then, comes from small wins: a hard — won apology, a missed putt that means more than a win, a hesitant smile between new teammates. For those willing to let a story breathe, “Stick” rewards patience. It’s honest about disappointment, success, and the strange families we choose when life yanks the rug out.
Comedic Touches: Low — Key, Human, Sometimes Sardonic
Laughs in “Stick” don’t always roar. They root in pain, grounded in the awkwardness of broken dreams and failed attempts at redemption. Wilson’s timing draws out the humor of a man trying desperately to rebuild his dignity. Maron’s Mitts gets some of the sharpest lines — sometimes he’s brutal, sometimes surprisingly warm. The comedy enhances the emotional punches, creating a layered viewing experience.
Key Positives Recap
- Owen Wilson brings heartfelt depth, keeping Pryce relatable and interesting.
- The blending of comedy and drama lets viewers feel invested without overdosing on either.
- Real — world golf appearances increase authenticity, making this a treat for golf enthusiasts and novices alike.
Key Negatives Recap
- Some story beats are predictable. Redemption arcs and sports clichés show up often.
- Stereotypical supporting characters threaten to stall the story early on.
- “Stick” wrestles with the looming shadow of “Ted Lasso”—rarely escaping its influence.
Verdict: Stick (2025) BRNG?
So, is “Stick” (2025) boring? Not by a long shot. The show’s slow pace and familiar tropes may not grip every viewer from the start. If you thrive on non — stop surprises or crave earth — shattering originality, you might tune out early. But once you settle in, the series reveals plenty of heart, gentle wit, and just enough spark to stand as more than “Ted Lasso with golf.”
For most viewers — especially those drawn to strong performances and nuanced emotional arcs—“Stick” offers plenty to savor. It won’t radically change the sitcom game, but it lands comfortably in the watchable, enjoyable zone. You’ll chuckle, you’ll wince, and by the end you may even find yourself rooting for both the player and the caddie.
Numeric Boringness Score: On a scale from 0 (totally boring) to 10 (not boring at all), “Stick” delivers a steady 7.8. You won’t jump off your couch, but you won’t be napping on it either. With likable characters, solid writing, and authentic golf flair, “Stick” finds a way to make even the quietest fairway stroll feel worth watching.
