This week on Both Sides of Par, Colin reports back from a lads' golf trip to Portugal, where he tackled three courses near Cascais including the stunning Oitavos Dunes, a links-style track with greens so fast they left everyone slightly traumatised. Despite scores north of 100 (those courses were hard, OK?), Colin found himself putting smart golf strategy into practice for real, laying up with a trusty 7-iron from 200 yards during match play and actually winning his singles match. He even unleashed the driver on the final two holes and sent one 304 yards dead straight down the fairway!

Meanwhile, Ross has been quietly rebuilding his putting routine around a countdown technique he picked up from a sports psychologist. The idea is simple: count down from 10 as you walk to the ball, take your practice stroke at 5, and pull the trigger on 1. It sounds almost too easy, but a friend he played with recently commented on how relaxed his stroke looked, and Ross was sinking putts from all over the place. He has also been seeing real results from his winter speed training, getting his 8-iron ball speed up to 118-120 within just a few swings and accessing 165 ball speed with the driver comfortably. A pre-round warm-up routine involving a 5kg medicine ball, therabands, and arriving 45 minutes early is paying off in a big way.

The lads wrap up with this week's open competition at Cardross Golf Club near Glasgow, a course Ross describes as a mini Augusta, and put the call out for listener feedback on what they want to hear more of going forward. Email in at hello@bothpar.com.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Colin's Portugal golf trip review: three courses near Lisbon, including the spectacular Oitavos Dunes with its terrifyingly fast greens and stunning par 3s over cliffs and ravines

🟢 Smart golf in action: Colin laid up with a 7-iron from 200 yards on six to eight holes during match play, saved strokes, and won his singles match against a 6-handicapper

🟢 Ross's 10-to-1 countdown putting routine: a simple mental technique that blocks out overthinking, keeps you calm, and has transformed his consistency on the greens

🟢 Speed training gains: Ross can now access 170+ ball speed within 10-12 balls and his 8-iron ball speed has jumped from 112 to 118-120, all thanks to consistent winter work and a med ball warm-up

🟢 Colin pulls the driver out after keeping it in the bag all day and smashes it 304 yards straight down the middle, outdriving a 5-handicap playing partner

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 Oitavos Dunes Golf Course, Cascais, Portugal - oitavosdunes.com

🟢 Campos de Golf Peña Longa, Sintra, Portugal - penhalonga.com

🟢 Club de Golf Quinta da Marinha, Cascais, Portugal - quintadamarinha.com

🟢 TaylorMade Stealth Driver (Colin's current driver)

🟢 5kg Medicine Ball (bouncing type, for pre-round warm-up)

🟢 Therabands (for range warm-up stretches)

🟢 Claude Tarmann - mentioned for course management and smart golf strategy

🟢 Ryan Chrysler - mentioned alongside smart golf strategy discussion

🟢 Mark Immelman Podcast - referenced for a sports psychologist episode on the countdown technique for clearing your mind

🟢 Cardross Golf Club - cardrossgolfclub.co.uk

🟢 Windy Hill Golf Club - mentioned alongside Cardross, with pro David Orr praised for junior and ladies development

🟢 Blinkby Golf Podcast - Ross's other podcast, mentioned in connection with David Orr

Weekly Competitions

Cardross Golf Club is this week's open pick. Located just over the Erskine Bridge, northwest of Glasgow, Ross calls it a mini Augusta and says he has never heard anyone say a bad word about the place. The open takes place on Saturday 13th June, it is a pairs event with a handicap limit of 25.8 and costs £35 per person (£70 per pair). A great excuse to grab a mate, play a beautiful course, and maybe win a prize.

Chapter List

00:00 Welcome to Both Sides of Par

02:35 Colin's Golf Trip to Portugal

05:20 The Three Courses: Peña Longa, Oitavos Dunes and Quinta da Marinha

07:37 Oitavos Dunes: Stunning Par 3s and Lightning-Fast Greens

09:26 Playing in the Wind: Ross's Simple Low Shot Technique

15:19 Ryder Cup Style Match Play in Portugal

16:52 Smart Golf in Action: Laying Up with a 7-Iron from 200 Yards

21:16 Scores, Slope Ratings and Managing Expectations on Foreign Courses

25:29 Colin Unleashes the Driver: 304 Yards Straight

27:52 Portugal Course Reviews and Recommendations

30:21 Ross's Early Season Form: Process Over Results

32:36 The Countdown Putting Routine: 10 Down to 1

39:06 Speed Training Progress and Ball Speed Gains

42:38 The Pre-Round Med Ball Warm-Up Routine

44:09 Open Competition: Cardross Golf Club

46:40 Listener Feedback and Sign Off

Ross then walks through his first medal of the year, played in 25mph winds on firm greens, where he managed level par by fully committing to his pre-shot routine and, more importantly, his new Claude Harmon-inspired par 5 strategy. Three-wood off every par 5 with water, including a 605-yarder, and somehow he got inside 100 yards for his third shot every single time without a driver in hand. He breaks down the whole thing hole by hole, along with his full pre-shot routine (diaphragm breathing and all) for Colin to nick. There's also a proper dive into travel bags for flying with clubs, the new Cleveland wedges Ross is waiting on, and a rundown of pairs comps they're eyeing up around Dumfries and Galloway, Southerness, and the brilliant-sounding Spey Bay summer solstice event where you can tee off at 4am.

The back half is pure Masters chat. Both lads watched most of it, loved the finish, and get into Rory's near-collapse, Justin Rose's missing intensity compared to last year, the mixed feelings about Cam Young and Scheffler's robotic energy, and Shane Lowry's hole-in-one that Sky replayed roughly every twenty minutes. They close out with the Colville Park open and Colin getting very excited about the new season of Full Swing landing the next day.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Why the chair-behind-the-bum drill feels like being in a straight jacket, and why Ross reckons that's exactly the point when you're trying to kill a swing fault

🟢 Ross's full par 5 masterclass, including why three-wood off a 605-yard hole left him wedging in for his third shot (and how driver had been costing him for years on the same hole)

🟢 A proper step-by-step walkthrough of Ross's pre-shot routine, from the practice swing behind the ball through the diaphragm breathing to the open-shoulder alignment trick

🟢 The travel bag rabbit hole, hard cases versus soft cases versus the hybrid Amazon special Colin took a punt on for his Portugal trip

🟢 Masters post-mortem, including the Cam Young emotionless debate, why Justin Rose looked flat compared to last year, and Shane Lowry's 7th at Pebble and 17th at Sawgrass hole-in-one collection

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 Claude Harmon's podcast, referenced for his par 5 strategy advice about removing stress and big numbers, available at most podcast platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/son-of-a-butch-with-claude-harmon/id1561803455

🟢 Cleveland Golf wedges, which Ross has on order https://www.clevelandgolf.com

🟢 Southerness Golf Club in Dumfries and Galloway, former Open qualifying venue https://www.southernessgolfclub.com

🟢 Spey Bay Golf Club and their summer solstice exhibition weekend on June 21st, with tickets from £180 to £300 https://www.speybaygolfclub.com

🟢 Royal Dornoch (the Struie course), mentioned from a previous trip https://royaldornoch.com

🟢 Gatehouse, Kirkcudbright, and Dalbeattie courses in the Dumfries and Galloway area

🟢 Full Swing on Netflix, new season landing the day after recording

🟢 The towel-under-the-armpits drill for swing connection and the chair-behind-the-backside drill for early extension

🟢 Both Sides of Par website and email https://bothpar.com and hello@bothpar.com

Weekly Competitions

🟢 Colville Park Golf Club Open, Motherwell, Sunday 2nd August. A James Braid designed course with a tough opening stretch including a 200-yard par 3 and a couple of 400-yarders. 28 handicap limit, £15 per person. Format not specified on the show, contact the club for details https://www.colvilleparkgolfclub.com

Chapter List

00:00 Intro and who's actually the high handicapper

01:30 Swing drill update, towels, gloves and the chair behind the bum

07:30 Portugal trip prep and the British Invitational

11:45 Ross's first medal of the year in 25mph winds

14:00 Par 5 strategy, three-wood everywhere and removing the stress

20:30 Pre-shot routine broken down step by step

25:30 Indoor sims, Inverness update and winter practice

27:30 Travel bags for flying with clubs

30:45 Cleveland wedges incoming

31:30 Planning pairs comps, Dumfries & Galloway and Spey Bay solstice

35:30 Masters recap, Rory, Rose and the Saturday wobble that never came

40:00 Cam Young, Scheffler and the emotionless player debate

42:00 Shane Lowry's hole-in-one collection

44:00 Colville Park weekly open

45:15 Full Swing season drop and sign off

They swap stories about growing up surrounded by golf at places like Lahinch, obsessively grinding (or avoiding grinding) through the teenage years, and the reality of chasing elite handicap levels in competitive Scottish golf culture. From bouncing balls on wedges for hours to brutal club match formats and the elusive journey from scratch to plus, it’s part nostalgia, part insight, and all golf chaos in the best way.

A relaxed, funny, and surprisingly deep look at what shapes golfers — and why no two journeys ever look the same.

Ross shares his own progress with the drills from Scott Borman, including a hilarious moment where he realised he'd been aiming 50 yards right of the green after changing his foot position. Colin has a matching story about training himself to aim 30 yards right because of a fence post on his practice mat, proving that even with all the tech in the world, the basics will humble you every time. The lads then get into a proper rant about slow play on the PGA Tour after Matt Fitzpatrick called out his playing partners, which spirals nicely into how recreational golf has slowed from three hours 45 to four and a half hours and what that's doing to club culture.

They wrap up with Ross teasing next week's topic on proper pre round warm up routines involving medicine balls and Therabands, plus a weekly competition recommendation that's a lot easier on the wallet than the £600 Dornoch entry they mentioned off camera.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Colin's DIY outdoor practice setup using a spare monitor, extension cables, and a shed, giving him full launch monitor visibility without dragging a laptop outside every time

🟢 A complete breakdown of early extension, including how to spot it in your own swing using nothing more than a chair or an alignment stick behind your backside

🟢 Chris Ryan's pitching wedge heel drill that gives you an instant visual cue when you're thrusting forward in the downswing

🟢 Ross's back to basics alignment fix after realising he was aiming 50 yards right of the flag despite all his recent coaching work

🟢 A proper discussion on slow play, Matt Fitzpatrick calling out his playing partners, and how etiquette habits like bag placement can save you 10 minutes a round

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 GS Pro launch monitor software - https://gsprogolf.com

🟢 Swing Coach app for swing analysis and numerical scoring of swing faults - https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/swing-coach-golf/id6739074629

🟢 Claude AI - used by Colin as a personal golf coach project - https://claude.ai

🟢 Chris Ryan Golf on YouTube - source of the pitching wedge heel drill - https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisRyanGolf

🟢 Scott Borman - Ross's coach providing ongoing lesson drills

🟢 Trackman Range and Trackman app - https://www.trackman.com

🟢 Medicine ball and Therabands for pre round warm up routines

🟢 Matt Fitzpatrick's Valspar Championship win and Players Championship interview on slow play

🟢 Full Swing on Netflix - where Colin first got to know Matt Fitzpatrick

🟢 Royal Birkdale - referenced for their on course pace of play clock system

Weekly Competitions

🟢 Burntisland Golf Club Gents Open

🟢 Location: Burntisland, Fife, Scotland

🟢 Date: 1st August

🟢 Format: Gents Open with a handicap limit of 28

🟢 Cost: £20 entry, described as roughly 50% off the standard green fee

Chapter List

00:00 Welcome and cold snap golf frustrations

01:28 Colin's outdoor monitor and launch monitor setup

03:33 Feeding swing data into Claude AI for a full diagnosis

04:22 The steep backswing and early extension explained

06:30 Breaking down the two way miss

08:46 Connected takeaway drills with towels and gloves

11:14 Feet together swings

12:04 The chair and alignment stick drill for hip thrust

14:00 Chris Ryan's pitching wedge heel drill

18:00 Setting a two month practice plan and measuring progress

20:15 Ross's speed training update with Scott Borman

24:37 Teasing next week's pre round warm up topic

26:24 Matt Fitzpatrick wins and calls out slow play on the PGA Tour

30:01 How slow play is killing club culture

35:15 Ready golf, etiquette, and bag placement habits

38:24 Ross's 50 yard alignment disaster

41:01 Colin's fence post aiming story

43:14 Weekly competition: Burntisland Gents Open

Ross shares insights from a recent lesson and opens up about the challenge of managing emotions on the course - highlighting how mindset can make or break a round. The conversation also turns to goal-setting for the year, including a big ambition: Open Qualifying.

A mix of practical strategy, honest reflection, and pre-season optimism - perfect for any golfer gearing up for the months ahead.

Ross shares what actually happens inside a professional custom-fitting facility: how shafts, grips, and club heads are selected, how swing characteristics affect the build, and how thousands of custom orders from across Europe are assembled every week. The conversation dives into the surprising amount of detail that goes into matching a golf club to a player’s swing, from shaft stiffness and length to lie angles and materials.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens after a club fitting—or how tour-level equipment gets built—this episode pulls back the curtain on the process and the people behind it.

From course closures and muddy fairways to the unseen importance of drainage systems, they unpack why some courses survive heavy weather while others struggle. There’s also a deeper look at how course design and maintenance influence play far more than most golfers appreciate.

Alongside that, they discuss smart ways to practice when conditions aren’t ideal, and how focusing on the right areas now can pay off massively when spring arrives.

If you’ve ever wondered why your local course floods, why temporary greens appear, or how to keep progressing when the weather’s against you — this episode is packed with insight, realism, and practical takeaways.

They dive into the often-overlooked science of golf course drainage, sharing insights from a greenkeeper’s perspective and exploring why what’s beneath your feet matters more than most golfers realise.

Plus, they get into this week’s practice focus, discussing how everyday golfers can make meaningful improvements even when the weather (and the course conditions) aren’t playing ball.

Whether you’re battling clay-based fairways or lucky enough to play on free-draining sand, this episode is all about understanding the game beyond the scorecard - and finding ways to keep progressing, whatever your handicap.

• What parts do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• What else could we cover that would make the show unmissable for you?

Thanks!

On today's episode:

• Why Hitting Fewer Balls Could Transform Your Practice Sessions
• The £15 Training Aid That's Actually Worth Using (SimStick Review)
• How One Scottish Course Uses Dramatic Elevation to Create Unforgettable Holes
• Winter Golf Tournament Formats That Keep You Motivated Through the Dark Months

Colin and Ross kick off the episode with Colin sharing his exciting move to Muir of Ord Golf Course on the Black Isle. He's particularly drawn to their winter tournament series—a weekly Sunday competition running through the coldest months where players accumulate Stableford points for a season trophy. The course itself sounds like a gem, with two distinct halves separated by a railway track: one side relatively flat with interesting tree-lined doglegs, the other featuring dramatic elevation changes including two par threes with 50-100 foot drops and one hole that climbs back up, leaving Colin baffled about club selection even though it's barely 100 yards.

The conversation shifts to Ross's recent revelation about practice quality. After struggling with consistency despite logging plenty of range hours, he's discovered that hitting 30-40 intentional shots beats mindlessly working through 100 balls. This sparks a discussion about the SimStick—a simple but effective training aid that's been helping both hosts work on swing path and strike quality. They compare it to alternatives like the Divot Board and Tour Striker Smart Ball, debating the merits of each for different aspects of practice. Colin admits he's still getting value from working through strike issues with his irons, while Ross emphasizes how the SimStick provides immediate feedback without the faff of more complex training tools.

The episode wraps with a chat about golf balls (Colin's experiment with Srixon Q-Star Divide's half-orange, half-yellow design mostly taught him that new balls just feel nice, even if they don't actually perform differently), before Ross shares two fantastic competition opportunities in Cornwall. Both are on Sunday, May 24th: an open at the stunning coastal Carlion Bay for just £27, and a 36-hole better ball at West Cornwall Golf Club in St Ives for £120 per pair. The lads make a compelling case for a spring golf trip to England's southwest corner.

00:00 Introduction and welcome

03:30 Colin's new club at Muir of Ord

08:45 Winter tournament format and course description

15:20 Muir of Ord's dramatic elevation changes

19:10 Ross's practice quality breakthrough

26:35 SimStick training aid discussion

34:50 Comparing training aids: SimStick vs Divot Board vs Smart Ball

41:15 Golf ball chat and Srixon Q-Star Divide experiment

45:00 Cornwall competitions: Carlion Bay and West Cornwall Golf Club

• What parts do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• What else could we cover that would make the show unmissable for you?

Thanks!

Colin and Ross kick off with another cracking competition find – a three-person team event at Cleveland Golf Club in Yorkshire that has Colin planning a road trip from Newcastle to Edinburgh. Both lads are sporting their new Druids ambassador gear and share first impressions (spoiler: impressed, especially for the price). Colin finally retired his 20-year-old Cleveland Launcher after his son broke it, and a trip to the local shop turned into a TaylorMade Stealth purchase – the numbers were just too good to ignore, even if it didn't feel quite as sweet as the QI 35. Ross, meanwhile, is fully committed to Ping life and loving his G430 LST driver after some early teething issues.

The practice chat is gold this week. Ross put Episode 4's mental game advice into real action during a one-under round, proving that staying calm mid-wobble actually works. Colin discovered through impact stickers that he's been addressing his driver wrong for years – a simple six-inch step back fixed his heel strikes entirely. Ross talks speed training progress (174 ball speed, not bad), and they wrap up chatting about watching golf on TV. Full Swing gets a strong recommendation if you haven't seen it yet.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Colin tests two drivers in-store and goes with feel vs numbers – the TaylorMade Stealth wins despite not feeling as "sweet" because it added 20 yards

🟢 Ross applies the mental game strategies from Episode 4 during a real round and shoots one under, proving the mindset work actually pays off

🟢 Impact stickers reveal Colin's been hitting off the heel for years – a simple setup change fixes it instantly

🟢 Both hosts unbox their Druids ambassador packs and share honest first impressions on quality vs price

🟢 Speed training update: Ross is back up to 174 ball speed and 118.5 club head speed after some winter rust

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 Cleveland Golf Club, Yorkshire – the only true natural links in Yorkshire, bookable online https://www.clevelandgolfclub.co.uk

🟢 Happy Golf – competition search tool Ross used to find the three-person event https://www.happygolf.co.uk

🟢 Druids Golf – affordable golf clothing brand, ambassador packs available https://www.druidsgolf.com

🟢 TaylorMade Stealth Driver – Colin's new driver purchase with adjustable weight and loft

🟢 TaylorMade QI 35 Driver – tested but not purchased, very forgiving feel

🟢 Ping G430 LST Driver – Ross's current driver choice

🟢 Ping G425 3-Wood – Ross's fairway wood, highly recommended

🟢 Inverness Golf Centre – local shop with Trackman fitting bay

🟢 How Did I Do – online booking system used by many UK golf clubs https://www.howdidido.com

🟢 Impact Stickers – strike location training aid for club faces

🟢 Trackman – launch monitor used for fitting and speed training

🟢 Therabands – resistance bands for golf warm-up and flexibility

🟢 Full Swing (Netflix) – golf documentary series, highly recommended https://www.netflix.com/title/81483353

🟢 Golfing Gray YouTube Channel – Colin's channel with Druids unboxing video coming soon

Weekly Competitions

🟢 Cleveland Golf Club – Redcar, Yorkshire

The only true natural links course in Yorkshire, right on the waterfront. Ross found this three-person team event perfect for Colin's family golf trip with his dad and brother.

Format: Three-person team event

Cost: £22 per visitor

Booking: Online via How Did I Do through the club website

Access: Two train changes from Inverness, one change from most mainline stations. Airbnb options available nearby including beachfront accommodation.

Chapter List

00:00 Welcome to Both Sides of Par

00:50 Competition Challenge: Finding a Three-Person Team Event

03:30 Planning a Golf Road Trip: Cleveland to Edinburgh

05:25 Druids Ambassador Pack Unboxing and First Impressions

10:50 Colin's Driver Upgrade: TaylorMade Stealth vs QI 35

18:15 Ross's Ping G430 LST Driver Update

21:50 Mental Game Breakthrough: Staying Calm Mid-Round

27:45 Tiger Woods' "Box" Technique for Managing Emotions

30:00 Putting Practice Games and Scoring Systems

31:05 Impact Stickers: Finding Your Strike Pattern

35:45 Speed Training Progress and Trackman Sessions

39:40 Watching Golf on TV: What's Worth Your Time

43:15 Full Swing Netflix Documentary Recommendation

45:30 The PGA vs LIV Discussion

50:40 Listener Feedback Request and Outro

• What parts do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• What else could we cover that would make the show unmissable for you?

Thanks!

Colin and Ross brave the Scottish winter to discuss everything from broken driver faces to AI-powered golf coaches. Colin shares his experience switching from TaylorMade to Ping after his QI35 driver gave up the ghost (again), while Ross opens up about creative ways to practice when you're snowed in. The duo dives deep into golf technology—from rangefinders and GPS watches to AI swing analysis apps that could change how you practice. Plus, Ross shares a brilliant story about staying in the Gary Player Suite at Carnoustie for just £50, and they discuss why measuring outcomes beats obsessing over swing mechanics.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome & Weather Update

03:30 - Carnoustie Course Review & The £50 Gary Player Suite Story

08:50 - New Club Review: Switching from TaylorMade to Ping

18:45 - Winter Practice Tips & Putting Mat Games

26:30 - Golf Tech on the Course: Rangefinders, Watches & Apps

34:30 - AI in Golf: Caddies, Rules & Swing Analysis Apps

41:30 - Competition Corner: Team Events Worth Entering

46:45 - Wrap-Up

• What parts do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• What else could we cover that would make the show unmissable for you?

Thanks!

Ross and Colin check in on their golf weeks, with Ross bringing tales of solid scoring at his home course Wokefield—carding a couple under and one under par despite a few mid-round wobbles. Meanwhile, Colin admits to a complete golf drought this week, not even picking up a club, which naturally leads into a candid conversation about the eternal struggle of building practice into daily routines when motivation runs low.

The lads dig into winter golf realities, from muddy lies and temporary tees to the ongoing debate about whether courses down south use mats on fairways (spoiler: they mostly don't need to). Ross shares his latest putting practice revelations, including a structured drill he's borrowed from the internet that's transformed his green-reading approach. They also tackle the mysteries of the World Handicap System—breaking down course ratings, slope, and why your handicap behaves differently on easier versus tougher tracks.

The episode wraps with Ross presenting two absolute belters for competition lovers: Brora Golf Club's five-day open in August and Tain Golf Week's various formats. The conversation touches on everything from Ross's mental approach to scoring rounds, to Colin's quest for better practice habits, to whether five consecutive days of golf would leave you knackered or energized.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Ross shoots two under par at Wokefield and reveals his secret to not letting mid-round mistakes derail the score—finishing with back-to-back birdies on 17 and 18

🟢 Colin opens up about struggling to build golf practice into his routine and the conversation explores practical approaches to habit-building when motivation is lacking

🟢 Deep breakdown of how the World Handicap System actually works—course rating, slope index, and why your handicap changes based on the difficulty of the course you're playing

🟢 Ross shares a structured putting practice drill he found online that combines distance control, green reading, and scoring to create meaningful practice sessions

🟢 The reality of playing five consecutive days of golf during competitions and whether it's exhausting or exhilarating (Ross has done it and shares his experience)

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 Wokefield Golf Club, Reading (Ross's home course)

🟢 broragolfclub.co.uk (Brora Golf Club website for five-day open competition)

🟢 tain-golfclub.co.uk (Tain Golf Club website for golf week competitions)

🟢 World Handicap System (WHS) resources for understanding course rating and slope

🟢 Royal Dornoch Golf Club (mentioned in context of Ross's previous five-day golf trip)

🟢 Lanark Golf Course (played on Ross's trip to Scotland)

🟢 Brora Bridge and Castle Highland courses (mentioned from Ross's Scotland trip)

Weekly Competitions

🟢 Brora Golf Club Five Day Open

Location: Brora, Scotland

Date: August 3-7

Format: Five-day competition with match play stages and guaranteed rounds even if knocked out

Cost: £190 for visitors

🟢 Tain Golf Week

Location: Tain, Scotland

Dates: Available on website

Format Options: Four-day competition (£90), Ladies two-day (£25 per person)

Website: tain-golfclub.co.uk

Chapter List

00:00 Intro and Weekly Golf Recap

03:00 Ross's Scoring Rounds at Wokefield

08:00 Winter Golf Conditions and Course Setup

14:00 Competition Practice vs Casual Rounds

19:00 Ross's Putting Practice Drill

29:00 Understanding the World Handicap System

38:00 Course Rating, Slope, and Handicap Calculations

45:00 Colin's Practice Routine Struggles

48:00 Building Better Practice Habits

50:00 Weekly Competitions: Brora and Tain

54:00 Listener Feedback Request and Wrap-Up

• What parts do you want more of?
• What do you want less of?
• What else could we cover that would make the show unmissable for you?

Thanks!

Colin and Ross kick off this week's episode with Colin fresh off the course after sneaking in seven holes at Inverness Golf Club during a rare sunny winter morning. The lads dive into an interesting discussion about playing the back nine more often than the front nine - something Ross did religiously when he first joined his club, inadvertently creating a massive advantage when it came to course management on those holes. Colin shares a hilarious accidental GoPro capture of his teenage son literally sleeping on the fairway mid-round, which perfectly sums up the reality of playing golf with teenagers.

The conversation shifts into serious practice territory as both hosts get deep into their winter training routines. Ross walks Colin through his impressive home putting setup, covering everything from basic putting mats to high-tech options like PuttView that can adjust green speeds and simulate slopes. They discuss the merits of putting mirrors for checking eye position and shoulder alignment, debate whether you need to spend big money on practice equipment (spoiler: you don't), and explore how to build an effective practice routine when you can't get out on the course. Ross even reveals his DIY approach to creating realistic practice putting greens at home, including cutting the actual shape of putts into carpet.

The episode wraps with Ross giving a quick plug for the Royal Deeside Golf Week coming up in July 2026 - a 72-hole stableford event across four stunning Scottish courses including Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory, and Braemar. It's the perfect blend of practical winter practice advice, relatable golf stories, and inspiration for future golf trips.

Episode Highlights

🟢 Ross reveals why playing the back nine three times as much as the front nine at his club gave him a massive course management advantage - and how you can use the same strategy to lower your scores

🟢 Colin accidentally captures his 13-year-old son literally sleeping on the fairway with a GoPro he forgot to turn off - the most relatable teenage golf moment ever

🟢 Detailed breakdown of Ross's home putting practice setup, from basic £15 mirrors to high-tech PuttView systems that simulate real green conditions and slopes

🟢 The truth about expensive practice equipment - why you don't need to break the bank to build an effective winter practice routine at home

🟢 Ross's DIY putting green hack: cutting the actual shape of breaking putts into your carpet to create realistic practice scenarios without spending thousands on synthetic greens

Gear & Resources Mentioned

🟢 PuttView - High-tech putting training system with app integration, slope adjustment, and green speed simulation

🟢 Putting Mirrors - Available from £10-20 on Amazon, Putt Out version around £20 for checking eye position and shoulder alignment

🟢 Putting Mats - Various options discussed for home practice

🟢 Linked by Golf (Instagram / YouTube) - Ross's social media channels with practice tips and videos

🟢 Golfing Gray - Colin's Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok handle for amateur golf content

🟢 Royal Deeside Golf Week (royaldsidegolfweek.co.uk) - Multi-course tournament event in Scotland

Weekly Competitions

🟢 Royal Deeside Golf Week

Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland (Aboyne, Ballater, Banchory, and Braemar)

Date: July 19-24, 2026

Format: 72-hole Stableford across four different courses

Open to: Ladies and Gents

More info: royaldsidegolfweek.co.uk

Chapter List

00:00 Winter Golf at Inverness & Playing the Back Nine Strategy

08:12 The Accidental GoPro Footage of Colin's Sleeping Teenager

12:45 Why Ross Played the Back Nine Three Times More Than the Front

18:30 Winter Practice Routines & Staying Sharp Off the Course

25:15 Building a Home Putting Practice Setup

32:40 Putting Mats, Mirrors & Essential Practice Equipment

38:55 High-Tech Training: PuttView Technology Explained

45:20 DIY Putting Green Hacks That Actually Work

50:10 Royal Deeside Golf Week Competition Details

53:45 Where to Find Colin & Ross on Social Media

Whether you are looking for tips on speed training, debating the merits of a new driver, or looking for high-value course recommendations in Scotland, this episode covers the game from every angle of the handicap spectrum.

What’s Inside the Show This Week:

• The Quest for Speed: Ross shares his latest results from "swinging like a madman," hitting clubhead speeds of 120 mph and even a wild 130 mph during practice. He discusses why "freedom of motion" is often more important than control when trying to find extra yardage.
• The Winter Diary: Colin recounts a "game of two halves" at Muiravoord, where the first nine holes were played through thick frost before a sudden thaw changed the green speeds on every hole.
• The Driver Dilemma: With Colin’s driver officially "launched" (and broken) by his son, the guys discuss how to choose a replacement. Ross offers a "brand tour" of the best current options—including the Ping G430, TaylorMade Qi10, Titleist GT, and Srixon ZX—and explains why you should always test a driver on a range rather than just an indoor simulator.
• Field Experiments at Strathpeffer: Colin describes the "crazy" experience of playing Strathpeffer Spa Golf Club, home to a first hole with a massive elevation drop that might be a world record.
• The Pace of Play Debate: A look back at the "famous sheets" of the pro shop and why modern golf needs to embrace "Ready Golf" to get back to the three-hour rounds of the past.
• Ross’s Recommendations: High-value Senior Open entries for 2025, featuring Ratho Park, Royal Montrose, and the world-renowned Cruden Bay.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Colin’s YouTube Channel: Search for Golfin McGray to see the drone footage of Strathpeffer Spa and Muiravoord.
• Ross' Instagram - search LinkedByGolf on IG.
• Gear Discussed: Payntr Mesh X001 shoes, MCC Align grips, and the TaylorMade Stealth/Qi10 series.

You'll discover the simple step drill that transforms swing speed, why the mental side of speed training matters as much as the physical, and how raising your ceiling automatically lifts your floor. Ross shares his complete journey from speed sticks to Project Harrington drills, including what worked (and what caused injury).

Plus: impact stickers that reveal exactly where you're striking the ball, a brilliant £100 weekend golf trip across three Scottish courses, and why getting feedback is the key to actually improving your game.

Whether you're a high handicapper looking to compete with longer hitters or just tired of being outdriven on every hole, this episode delivers practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Topics Covered: Speed training protocols, step drills explained, clubhead vs ball speed, the psychology of swinging faster, impact stickers review, Scottish golf trip recommendations, and more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Speed Training: How Ross Added 25-30 Yards

09:00 Speed Training Tools & Protocols

12:02 Garmin R10 Setup & Practice Routine

21:50 Using Claude AI as Your Golf Coach

25:07 Impact Stickers: Finding Your Strike Pattern

36:56 Scottish Golf Weekend: 3 Courses for £100

41:48 Wrap Up