Cute, immersing and enjoyable the documentary The Short Game shows what pint size kids can achieve in the sport of golf.  The film takes you on a journey of amazing challenge, focus and determination as six to eight year olds vie for the US Kids Golf championship.  It’s the kind of documentary that becomes all encompassing rooting for your favorite during the highly competitive finale.

Each year the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina holds the US Kids Golf Championship for boys and girls between the ages of six to eight.  The tournament runs three days like most of the major men’s competition with the exception of only 9 holes per day.  The best players from around the world are chosen to take part in the event with entries reaching some 1500 players. Separated by gender the tournament takes on all the excitement and attention as most professional golfing competitions.

Alexa Pano and Allan Kournikova in THE SHORT GAME

The film follows former winners of the tournament and up and coming golfers from several countries in the world.  The girls are lead by the 2011 champion seven year old Alexa Pano from Lake Worth, Florida showing her skill and training by practicing every day, rain or shine.  Sky Sudberry and eight year old who hails from Texas even practices with a chalk board. But, don’t think any less of her due to her small frame as she can hit the ball a ton. Amari Avery, age eight for Riverside, California, plays with a short fuse.  She’s determined to win this year and won’t even consider not being the leader at the end of the event.

The boys include returning champion Allan Kournikova  from West Palm Beach, Florida, a seven year old who lives in the shadow of his sister Anna who has topped the tennis world with her high energy playing. But, Allan’s no slouch either; he already has over a hundred trophies in addition to last year’s Pinehurst trophy.   From Johannesburg, South Africa comes one of last year’s aggressive finishers Zama Nxasana age 8 who’s determined to finish in the top 50 of his age group.  Kuang Yang, a seven year old from Shenzhen, China pushes himself to be the best with his dad motivating him to succeed.  From Manila, Philippines comes eight year old Jed Dy a shy boy, but tough as nails when it comes to golf.  Agustin Valery hails from France.  The eight year old has high hopes of placing way up on the leader board while his family’s doing all they can to keep his chin up.  Even his bedroom at home has a make-shift putting green.

Amari Avery concentrates on a shot in THE SHORT GAME

The Short Game gets very fascinating watching the youngsters make some amazing shots and dropping long puts.  The fathers of the children are called daddy caddies and are as enthusiastic as the players while tending their golf bags. The film gets very comical seeing the aggressive Amari with her explosive temper dealing with her father who has the same problem.  The Tiger Woods fan detests missing a short put, especially when her father’s right there to let her know it’s not acceptable.

Director Josh Greenbaum works hard to make the documentary a quality film and he achieves it. Using some very nice camera angles, following the kids in their home countries, getting close-ups of the golfer’s pain and gain and showing how enjoyable it is watching youngsters participate in a different sport other than baseball.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good family film with a lot of emphasis on sportsmanship. (B)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Allan Kournikova, Zama Nxasana, Kuang Yang, Alexa Pano, Jed Dy, Agustin Valery, Sky Sudberry and Amari Avery
Directed by: Josh Greenbaum
Genre: Documentary, Sports, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for some language    
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Opening Date: September 20, 2013
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwin