Our Longest Drive

Our Longest Drive is an inspiring, heart-warming Golf Channel series that aired in 2012. The show brilliantly interweaves the allure of golfing with a deeply moving human story, providing both sports enthusiasts and non-sport viewers with an intoxicating mix of camaraderie, challenge, and an in-depth examination of the human spirit.

The series centers around four lifelong friends who embark on a remarkable adventure of a lifetime following the death of their golfing buddy, Mike. They harbor an audacious plan to hold a golfing memorial for their departed friend by taking a daring road trip to the Arctic Circle so they can tee off on what remains one of the world's most elusive golf courses.

Our Longest Drive is not just about the physical journey these friends take from their home in Chicago to the northernmost point in Canada; it's also about the emotional journey and the bonds of friendship. The series examines grief and bereavement and the ability of sport, particularly golf, to aid in the healing process. It provides a unique, very personal look at four men handling loss and their collective determination to honor their friend in a fitting way.

The four friends each hail from different backgrounds and have unique personalities, which further adds charm and intrigue to the series. There's Vic Zast, who introduces viewers to the essence of the journey in a beautifully narrated, often poetic way; Dan Johnson, the jokester who calls everyone "pal" and never fails to make his friends smile; and Jim Thompson, a Vietnam War veteran who is the straightforward, tackle-the-problem head-on type.

As the group embarks on their journey, they also pick up Golf Pro Jim Colton. Colton became quite a sensation in the golf world for playing 155 holes in one day to raise money for a caddy who became paralyzed from the chest down. He then dares to assist these older gentlemen in accomplishing their Arctic golf dream.

Across their journey, the group's golf skills are tested on a variety of courses while they also deal with the inherent challenges of long distance-travel, such as vehicle maintenance, quirky innkeepers, and unpredictable weather conditions. Nevertheless, every obstacle along the way becomes a stepping stone to build strong emotional moments coupled with a dose of humor.

What sets Our Longest Drive apart from other golfing shows is the way it delves into the profundity of the human spirit in face of adversity and loss. While golf is the central part of the series, and certainly a magnet for golf enthusiasts, it's ultimately the story of four friends who’re riding waves of emotion while fulfilling the last request of their departed friend. This theme of brotherhood, along with their golf odyssey, hits the perfect shot into the hearts of the viewers, evoking a range of emotions.

Golf, in this series, is used as a metaphor for life's challenges, surprises, pitfalls, and ultimate rewards. Each episode tests the group's resilience, empathy, patience, and mental strength - not just to hit the next shot or make it through the trip, but also to keep moving forward in life itself which makes it resonate with many viewers.

No matter if you are a golfer or not, Our Longest Drive will captivate you with its story of camaraderie, determination, and the drive to continue a tradition in the face of adversity. It is a journey that explores golf and life in the same breath, encapsulating the game's frustration, its beauty, its subtlety, and its challenge. This is a road trip you wouldn't want to miss. It truly stands testimony to the adage that the journey is more important than the destination. It is about living life to its fullest, cherishing friendships, and the unyielding power of the human spirit.