Spotlight on... UKKO Ambassador Stephen Kent

Stephen has recently become an UKKO Ambassador, so we've asked him a few questions to find out what makes him tick...

What's in your bag
Driver - Taylormade r9 (stiff)
Woods - Mizuno F60
Irons - Mizuno MP-57
Putter - Scotty Cameron Squareback (2thumb grip)
Balls - Taylormade TP Red


1. Your ultimate fourball with anyone past & present?
Tiger Woods because his achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time, Ian Poulter because he is well known for his radical dress sense and i would also choose Ernie Els due to his rhythmical but yet extremely powerful golf swing

2. Where would you take them on?
Wolf Creek, it looks unbelievable.

3. A crafty beer before the game or in the zone on the putting green with energy drink on stand-by?
In the zone on the putting green mainly so i can get used to the speed of the greens

4. Obviously you're wearing UKKO on the 1st - which is your favourite garment?
V-neck Jumper because it is so smart and casual but yet it is also extremely fashionable

5. Any dirty tactics or squeaky clean all the way?
A few dirty tactics but not too many

6. To celebrate your win, you fill up the private jet - where do you go?
Some where in Spain due to the sunny weather and the beautiful golf courses

7. 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?
Driving range - i need the practice

8. Why did you want to become an Ambassador for UKKO?
Since it is a fashionable brand of clothing on and off the course

9. If you didn't play golf, which other sport would you be obsessed with?
I would most likely be obsessed with Football as i used to play Football when i was younger for a local team but i then started playing golf and i had to drop out of the team to find time to practice my golf.

10. Apart from becoming an UKKO Ambassador, what's your biggest achievement to date?
Playing in the Ian Poulter invitational since i got invited to play there

11. What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
Just finishing university and then hopefully becoming a PGA teaching pro


Stephen has also given us his insight into how to prepare for the upcoming golf season...

Visit an indoor golf facility. Find golf domes online or in the phone book. Domes are heated driving ranges. Some also offer putting and chipping areas.

Put an indoor practice green in your basement. Kits can be purchased at local golf accessories stores or online. Use the extra space in your home to put up a practice net and hitting area. Get use out of your clubs all winter long.

Find a golf facility that offers interactive simulators. Many offer full rounds of golf, playing well known courses from around the world. Practice with your own set of clubs with their screen and sensor equiptment.

Start a golf exercise program at home or with a qualified golf fitness trainer from a local gym. A trainer can help you keep those muscles used for golfing toned and ready to go.

Play a round of indoor mini-golf. While it's not the same thing, it helps keep your putting skills up to par until you can hit the course in the spring.

Take advantage of playing the course even though it's cold. If the course is open, there's no reason to wait. Dress warm and plan on seeing a lot of bare spots, but you can still have fun and get some good practice in.

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

We're proud to be associated with the Solihull College Golf Academy...

Before Xmas we were lucky enough to be selected to provide the 2009/2010 team kit for both years of the Solihull College Golf Academy. They recently had a photoshoot at their home course and the results are below. It's a great first step in our effort to work with and help to develop young golfing talent.

We wish the boys & girls all the best for the coming season and hope they go on to great things as we're sure they will. If their results before Xmas are anything to go by, they're a stand-out bunch of young golfers destined for great futures within the game.

We have no favourites at UKKO, but we did meet Rachel Jennings at the NEC Golf Show - Rachel is a 2nd year on the course who's already competing at the highest level who stands out as a particularly bright prospect in the ladies game. If you read this Rachael, the answer is still "no" to your question of "Can I have a free belt?" !! But I'm sure we'll be sending you a few bits when our ladies range launches in the not too distant future... good luck to you and your fellow students for 2010.

On a personal note, we're particularly jealous they all play off well below 5 and are only 16/17 years old. Add to that they get to play and enjoy golf for 2 whole years and call it studying - if only we could roll the clock back... that Economics A-Level would of been given a wide-berth...

More details about the Advanced Apprenticeship can be found here and if you're interested in finding out more, we recommend you contact Andy, England Golf AASE Academy Manager at Solihull College. Top fella.

More details about College Golf in the UK here and I'm sure we'll be providing further updates about the team on the blog so keep an eye out.

NEC Golf Show Review - at last!

It's been a long time coming but after a busy Xmas & New Year period we've finally got round to posting a few pictures from the NEC Golf Show. It was a great success, we received a load of positive feedback from the trade & customers about the brand and thanks to all of you who bought some gear - much appreciated.

As you can see, the stand looked awesome and we really stood out as a premium brand. Thanks to all that helped, you know who you are...

The stand...

The stand...

The stand again...

A few of the NEC show guys in UKKO...

Last but not least, the girls... nice shoes.

Happy New Year!

We'd just like to wish all of our customers a very happy New Year for 2010. We really appreciate all of your support for our new venture and we look forward to sharing our new 2010 collection with you very soon.

Best regards,
Nick & the UKKO Team.

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

New Pro Shop Stockist - KP Club

When we arrived at the KP Club, we immediately knew it was the type of Pro Shop we want to stock UKKO. It's a class act. Making our way up the drive to the top of the hill, we could see the newly re-designed course was in great condition and one look at the clubhouse and you know they mean business.

A contemporary set-up including a bar that reminded us of the Long Bar at the Sanderson Hotel in London, the Pro Shop (run by Aaron & Ashley of Desired Golf) was similarly well styled. It had all of the golf fashion brands you'd expect and we're pleased to say the guys liked our gear so much they took it there & then. That was a few weeks ago and as you can see from the snaps, they've given us a prime spot.

We'll definitely be back up there in the New Year for 18 and even though we haven't played there yet, we can highly recommend the set-up.. the chalets looked ideal for an overnight stay and rumours are there's a Spa on the horizon. Perfect for those hangovers after a night in the Long bar....

Go to the UKKO London website now

More about Desired Golf

More details about the KP Club Golf & Country Estate

New online stockist - 4PlayGolf.com

http://www.4playgolf.com/ is the latest online golf fashion retailer to stock UKKO. 4PlayGolf, fresh from a re-design, has just re-launched and we're expecting big things from their new site. Thanks for stocking our gear guys.