Is your course snowed under? UKKO Ambassador Tom gives you a few alternatives...

The hardcore few at your golf club will no doubt have turned up at the weekend for that last pre-Christmas round, and - mulled wine in hand - will have been faced with the ironically snow covered sign reading 'Course Closed due to Adverse Weather Conditions'. They will have no doubt, clad in their plus-fours despite the conditions, had to go closer to the sign to actually see what it said, and upon realising the cruel fate of wintry precipitation will have turned round and driven home.
Not is all lost though, putting practise did occur in large proportions in my lounge in front of some ridicolously cheesy Christmas movies on the growingly convienient 'Sky Christmas' channel. But what can us nine iron bearers do in these conditions? Well I've listed some alternatives to real golf:

1. Tiger Woods PGA Tour - I am one of the many not impressed by Tiger's recent antics, I love him. Some substitute for you and him not gracing the fairways is teeing it up on your games console and pulling off ridiculous shot from ridiculous areas and if your old school, you can have Dave Feherty's voice warm your mood.

2. Urban Golf - Anyone who has been to one of their centres will know that it is simply, awesome. Enjoy a drink from the bar while you play, don't worry about covering up your UKKO threads with ridiculous overcoats, and rest your legs as the screen does the walking for you. My favorite venue is Smithfields but the other venues are quality as well.

3. ESPN Classic - The greatest invention this decade, no exceptions. As well as golf highlights, re-live the tears of Italia '90, acquaint yourself with Muhammed Ali's awesome career and re-acquaint yourself with your teams glory days.

4. Read the UKKO blog pages - I've estimated that if your read word-for-beautiful-word all the blog entries, you have too much time on your hands and should be working. However, this will keep you occupied, insighted and laughing for many an hour.

Putts ain't falling all around us, but snow is, so have a staunch Christmas and a great New Year, see you in 2010.

Tom Ayling

Spotlight on... UKKO Ambassador Tom Ayling

Tom has recently become an UKKO Ambassador, so we thought we'd find out what makes him tick...

Your home club - Harewood Downs Golf Club
Handicap - 11.3
Age - 16

What's in your bag (we like details!)
Driver - Cobra X-Speed Pro, Shallow Face, Speeder S Shaft
Woods - Taylormade R9 Ti 3, Re.ax Shaft R
Irons - Mizuno Mx-25 3-PW, Dynamic Gold Sl Sahfts
Putter - Odyessy White Hot XG #7
Balls - Titleist Pro V1


1. Your ultimate fourball with anyone past & present?
I'd have just the one golfer, Seve. The true enigma and passion of the game is typified of the flair of the exceptional Spaniard. Next I'd have Bobby Moore, as a Hammers fan its a no brainer. Legend. Lastly, probably James Corden, the man that is the definition of lad, it'd be a laugh.

2. Where would you take them on?
We'd tee it up at Loch Lomond, quality track in a picturesque setting.

3. Which club is first in the bag?
Probably the big dog - there's no better feeling than destroying the ball down the fairway!

4. A crafty beer before the game or in the zone on the putting green with energy drink on stand-by?
Probably be a cheeky pint balanced by the energy drink halfway through the round.

5. Obviously you're wearing UKKO on the 1st - which is your favourite garment?
It's got to be the Burgundy Sleeveless Cardigan, I love the retro style going on there!

6. Any dirty tactics or squeaky clean all the way?
Despite being notorious in my other sports for playing dirty, when clad in the plus-fours it's all clean.

7. You have a 4ft putt to win the game. It circles the cup and drops in - how do you celebrate round the green!?
Sink to my knees and cry - only joking - probably the solitary fist pump and take the pain of buying the first round back inside.

8. 1st & last drink on the 19th?
Kick off with a pint, and finish with half a Jack.

9. To celebrate your win, you fill up the private jet - where do you go?
En-route to the final destination of L.A stop off in Grenada, a truly surreal place.

10. Assuming you don't have a private jet, have a nightmare and lose by the 12th - would you head straight for the driving range or drown your sorrows at the nearest local?
I'm a grafter, I'd be out on the range.

11. Why did you want to become an Ambassador for UKKO?
The threads are quality, and I really wanted to pen my experiences on golf.

12. If you didn't play golf, which other sport would you be obsessed with?
I'm a rugby and football man, but footy would probably take preference if there wasn't a course on the Earth.

13. What would you like to see in the next UKKO range?
I'd love to see some strides in there.

14. Apart from becoming an UKKO Ambassador, what's your biggest achievement to date?
Golfing or something else? Well golfing would be my Autumn Cup performance the season just gone. Non-Golfing, well i just try and make people have a laugh every day really.

15. What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
I'll probably be in my last year at Uni en-route to Sports Journalism.

Spotlight on... UKKO sponsored Pro Ben Jones

Our third Pro spotlight focuses on English Professional Ben Jones. The format is simple: we ask a few questions, they answer and you get to see what makes them tick.

Ben is wearing the UKKO White Cotton Polo, available to buy from our online store.

Your tour/base - Euro Pro Tour

Handicap - was +2 when I turned Pro

What's in your bag? (we like details!)
Driver - Callaway FT-IQ
Woods - Callaway X series 3 wood
Irons - Callaway X Forged 3-pw
Putter - Odysee 2 ball
Balls - Titleist Pro-V1x 2009 ball

1. Your ultimate fourball with anyone past & present?
Nick Faldo, Bobby Charlton and Ray Winston (Legends).

2. Before the big game, what's on your iPod to get the adrenalin pumping?
Anything that keeps me calm, mostly Country.

3. Where would you take them on?
Les Bordes,France. Its amazing!!!

4. What's your fairway style - Bling or brogues?
Brogues

5. How would you celebrate your win?
Few Beers

6. 1st and last drink on the 19th?
1st drink is always a Beer and last drink depends how long i've been in there for!

7. Your missus has gone out for the evening - what d'you cook?
Pasta or Papa Johns Pizza

8. Your private jet is on the tarmac and ready to fly - where d'you go?
Vegas

9. Which club's first in your bag?
Driver

10. How has this season been for you so far?
Pretty poor start but the hard work is starting to show.

11. What are your main goals for the remainder of the season?
To put myself in with a chance of winning a few events and get ready for tour school.

12. Where do you want to be in 3 years?
On tour

13. If golf didn't exist, what would you be doing?
Playing rugby