Vanilla Slice - Unorthodox Return to the Fairways

It was all set-up perfectly I pondered, as I looked thoughtfully out upon a suprisingly sun-baked February morning in preparation for the first competitive round since the turn of the decade. Wait, its February and I haven't played golf properly since the year just gone, wow, must be the weather or something. The weather conditions on this Sunday though, were a far-cry from the snow we were treading, and sledging on a mere month ago, although decidedly fresh, the sun offered some comfort as I munched on my bacon sandwich slowing contemplating how the round would go, what score I'd get, and how great it was to be English after the victory the day before. Yet, golf was the order of the day, and the clubs saw a clean, as did the treads, maybe it wouldn't be such a spectacularly poor round after a month out of the game we know and love.

As I slipped on my pristine UKKO garments, and admired each and every thread, I genuinely believed this could be a good start to my golfing year. I stepped out of the door with an air of expectancy about me and breathed in the cool air. Once at the club I realised that there were in fact a catalogue of unfortunate inconveniences surrounding my humble self that could be unfortunate set-backs. After the strains of football the day before I was supported by two gammy knees, a dodgy ankle, as well as a suspect hip, maybe the seemingly perfect scene before was stained by a body less efficient than John Daly before rehab although in fairness visits to the gym during the week to squeeze those extra yards out of the big-dog, and the aforementioned battle in the name of football did serve culprits for the situation.

Cue dramatic turn of events. After the regulation shanks, fats, thins, and many undescribale shots on the range, I found the iota of beauty every man (or woman) to ever don the plus-fours (not necessarily women here), the high draw. Bliss, perfection, any other superlatives you lovely people can muster up, amybe it would be OK, well I let the on-course game take care of that. After the standard pre-match pysche up routine of a chat with playing partners in banteresque scenes complaining, and appreciating sporting results of the day before, I found myself standing on the first tee.

A surprising start to the round started with the seldom seen combination of back to back birdies, before a visit the the timber on the 4th set me back slightly. I managed to get by the rest of the front nine to stay a stroke under the handicap. The back nine duly ensued and after stringing together pars, on the tee numbered 13 I hit a hook curvier than an 80's model into the cabbage, never to be seen again. I just about managed to complete the round unscathed further, and the post-game drink parched the lips on a content golfer, feeling all the swagger in the UKKO threads.

That brings me on to a bit of a tip for golfers one and all. Just because it's cold outside, it doesn't mean you fashionistas, both seasoned and fruitful have to cover up the beautiful garms with the heavy waterproofs and cumbersome jumpers. My advice to you lot would be layer under over the coming cold months, that way your golfing statement can still stand proud atop your torso. Make the investment in a baselayer, wear a thermal vest under that, then I recommend layer over the warmth with a UKKO White Polo and the Berry Longsleeve Cardigan. If that still isn't warm enough, because of the lower neck of the cardi, add the Indigo V-Neck, and defy the weather and maintain fairway style.

Written by UKKO Ambassador Tom Ayling

If you're interested in becoming an UKKO Ambassador, get in touch via email - contact@ukko.com

New Year's Revolution

So here we are in mid-January and already, the chances are the trips to the gym are lessening and you're struggling to find the motivation to pound the pavement. Yet, this is no cry for you to return your gym wear and hang up those dumbbells just yet, instead use all these big plans for entering the new decade to revolutionise your golf game, you can always get better.

There are two ways to win in golf; win, and win in style. Now I'm sure that most of you out there have one of the two components to golfing greatness, I doff my trilby to those of you who win, and maybe do so without the greatest eloquence or flamboyance, but graft out a result, I have the upmost respect for that. Then there is of course the player who plays with the required swagger to fulfil the win in style catergory, but lacks the 'winning' part of the bargain. Fear not the losing or swaggerless golfer! Make the full commitment, and start the decade as you mean to go on!

The ways to do this are simple, and you shouldn't have to change a thing. The first simple step that you should take is enjoy your golf people! Don't get annoyed about it, if you have fun on the course (abiding by the 180 pages of the R&A rulebook, local rules, and etiquette if at all possible, if not just refrain from breaking other people's property) you will play great golf. So now you know that having a good laugh will help you win know you need style. I'm not saying you need to be Seve or Chi Chi Rodriguez but something inbetween would be the swagerrdocio golfer you're looking for. First step is not the 100 yard low fade round the tree, skimming across the burn and rolling up to the short stuff resting 6ft from the target, nah we wouldn't want you to have that shot in your locker, but if it were fair play to you son. The first step is of course a Trip (to the computer) Around (April to purchase) The (greatest clothing in the) World at of course the UKKO store, get your hands on the clobber that will be one step to you playing great golf.

Look Good. Play Good.

Tom Ayling

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.