Golf
September 1, 2023 | 2:44pm
Joel Dahmen might be the most famous player you’ve never heard of – until now.
The 35-year-old from Clarkson, Wash., finished 84th in this year’s FedExCup Standings, compiling a body of work that challenged a career on the brink of collapse.
Nowhere is this more evident than in his appearance “Full Swing” on Netflix.
Dahmen (and his signature bucket hat) was one of several golfers featured in the eight-episode series that began in February.
Netflix also turned its cameras to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler for the series, which aims to show what life is like on and off the course during the PGA Tour.
In a conversation with The Post, Dahmen talked about his increased popularity thanks to Netflix.
“Uptick can be a word. You can call it a rocket ship or whatever,†Dahmen said.
“From basically being kind of a person or a guy wearing a crazy bucket hat to every week I get noticed, I have a lot of people, a lot of autographs, things like that. “
Dahmen is featured in the fourth episode of “Full Swing” and it focuses on his relationship with caddy and best friend Geno Bonnalie.
Among the storylines created by Netflix is ​​Bonnalie’s faith in Dahmen, especially when the player turns to sad humor to reject conversations about his game.
While Dahmen said Netflix “did a great job,” he said that if he had edited the show, he would have explored other angles.
“We give them enough content that they can be different ways,” Dahmen said, adding that he wants to see “more banter” and the “brotherly banter” he shares with Bonnalie.
“I’m not as self-deprecating as I used to be,” Dahmen said. “If I didn’t believe in myself and believe in what I do, I wouldn’t have gone on the tour.”
But he has, and Dahmen is reaping the rewards that come with that success.
Dahmen was named the “whiskey caddy” for Bushmills Irish Whiskey, which is the official whiskey of the PGA Tour.
Dahmen even has a signature drink: “Joel’s Juicy Lie.”
Will it be as popular as an Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade) or a John Daly (an Arnold Palmer laced with vodka)?
“I’m ready to buy your first round,” said Dahmen, who quoted the Bushmills website for more details.
Dahmen, who called this marketing opportunity “super special,” plans to return to the tour in a few weeks “for fun” and return to the PGA Tour in 2024.
While he received a “general e-mail” from LIV Golf, Dahmen said he never responded.
“I chose to stay away from the whole thing,” Dahmen said. “I don’t think anyone knows what’s going on.”
Coming off a career-best four top-10 finishes in 2023, Dahmen is seeking his second career victory on the PGA Tour.