Just in time for tee-off, let's welcome Apple TV+'s new golf-comedy "Stick", starring beloved star Owen Wilson. This warm and spirited series promises to unite fans of "Shrinking" and "Ted Lasso" with its charmingly flawed hero, Pryce "Stick" Cahill, and a delicate balance of heartwarming humor and sentimental storytelling. The series appears to be a rookie aiming for a hole-in-one and there's no doubt it might just achieve that even without an ambitious tagline.

Crafted by Jason Keller, "Stick” brings you into the life of former golf pro, Pryce, whose bright demeanor hides a deeply-ached heart. Pryce, whose top-tier career took a nosedive after a widely-known breakdown, now sells pricey golf gear and occasionally gambles with tipsy locals, alongside his former caddy Mitts (Marc Maron). However, life might just be about to look up for Pryce, with the arrival of Santi (Peter Dager), a 17-year-old golfing prodigy.

Aspiring to tap into the potential of "the next Tiger Woods,” Pryce eagerly takes Santi under his wing for reasons that blend cynical pragmatism with raw emotion. Santi, navigating his own struggle of father-issues, concurs, with his mother, Elena’s (Mariana Treviño), cautious approval. Thus, their journey begins, an adventurous series of qualifying matches, a vibrant chase of dreams, and a search for self-identity.

Thought of as more of the comfort-viewing type, "Stick" might be viewed as a bit hesitant on the sports front. But, don’t dismiss it yet. Keller does a fair job of interpreting the golf jargon for golf-newbies and even throws in a fair bit of passionate commentary about the character's love for the sport, even if it doesn’t quite strike the intense athleticism that the sport requires.

What makes "Stick" truly stand out is its striking balance as a laid-back comedy. It masterly accommodates a satisfying mix of gentle humor and candlelit pathos in their genuine care and concern for one another. This perfect blend of elements keeps the audience glued to their screens, with a continuous smile plastered on their faces.

Dager brings out the essence of Santi with a fine display of varied emotions, from defiance to innocence to sheer grief, while Treviño brings an undeniable warmth and protection to Elena's character. Wilson, our charming quick-worded protagonist, gradually reveals the sadness hidden beneath his charm, a touch that accents the brilliance of the series perfectly.

Though the show does contain a few stereotyped representations that don’t quite fit in right (Zero’s borderline characterization and Amber-Linn’s limited ferocity come to mind), the heartwarming journey that "Stick" takes you on fair outshines such issues. It cleverly brings together an ensemble of lovable, if slightly broken, characters, who invites the audience into their lives with open arms. This series does not rewrite paradigms, but it does offer a sweetly engaging journey you won’t want to miss this summer.