Colin and Ross share their golf journeys, from both ends of the spectrum. A high handicapper and a low handicapper, still sharing the same love of the game and most of the same frustrations!
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New Clubs, AI Caddies & the Tech That's Changing How We Practice
Season 1 · Episode 7
Thursday, January 29, 2026 • Duration 46:05
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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
The Putting Practice Drill That Actually Works & Two Scottish Opens Worth Entering
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, January 22, 2026 • Duration 55:03
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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 MentionedWeekly CompetitionsChapter List
Back Nine Strategy Secrets, Putting Practice Setups & Why Teenagers Sleep on Fairways
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, January 15, 2026 • Duration 56:43
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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
Gear & Resources MentionedWeekly CompetitionsChapter List
130mph Swings, Frozen Greens, and the 300ft Drop
Season 1 · Episode 4
Monday, December 29, 2025 • Duration 47:18
In this episode of Both Sides of Par, Colin (the high-handicapper) and Ross (the low-handicapper) dive into a week of extreme contrasts, from chasing professional-level clubhead speeds to navigating the literal "frozen" greens of the Scottish Highlands.
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.
Unlocking Speed: How to Add 25+ Yards to Your Driver (Plus Scotland Golf Trip Ideas)
Season 1 · Episode 3
Thursday, November 27, 2025 • Duration 42:39
Want to add serious distance to your game? In this episode, Ross breaks down exactly how he increased his driver clubhead speed from 106 to 121 mph and gained 25-30 yards of carry distance—without changing his entire swing.
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
Unlocking the UK's Best Golf Opens: Your Guide to Affordable Play
Season 1 · Episode 2
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • Duration 48:57
In this podcast episode, Colin and Ross explore the vibrant and accessible world of open golf competitions in Scotland and around the UK. They highlight the financial benefits of participating in these events, allowing passionate golfers to play renowned courses at a fraction of the typical green fees. Key competitions and websites like happygolf.co.uk are discussed, along with personal anecdotes about the enriching experience of playing diverse courses and meeting new players. The conversation also touches on the benefits of playing in less-than-ideal weather and the joy of impromptu, peaceful rounds in the Scottish rain. Overall, it's a love letter to opportunistic golf enthusiasts.
What's in our Bags, 2025 Courses, and Practice Planning
Season 1 · Episode 1
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 • Duration 53:02
Colin and Ross embark on a new podcast journey, discussing their shared passion for golf equipment and experiences. Despite having a lengthy podcasting background in various topics, this marks Colin's return to his childhood interest in golf. Ross, a long-time Srixon enthusiast, shares insights about his current gear choices and the benefits of graphite shafts for reducing physical strain. Throughout the conversation, they explore the impact of technology on golf equipment and the importance of maintaining consistency. Their engaging dialogue showcases a mutual love for the sport and eagerness to delve deeper into its nuances.
Why Hitting Fewer Balls Could Transform Your Practice Sessions
Season 1 · Episode 9
Thursday, February 12, 2026 • Duration 47:30
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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.
Stealth vs QI 35, Impact Stickers, and Staying Calm When Your Round Wobbles
Season 1 · Episode 8
Thursday, February 5, 2026 • Duration 51:48
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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 MentionedWeekly CompetitionsChapter List
Inside the Srixon Factory: How Custom Golf Clubs Are Really Made
Season 1 · Episode 12
Thursday, March 26, 2026 • Duration 39:01
In this episode of Both Sides of Par, Ross takes Colin behind the scenes of a visit to the European headquarters of Srixon. From walking into a building covered in a giant image of Shane Lowry to seeing signed tour bags from Hideki Matsuyama, the experience felt like a golfer’s version of Willy Wonka’s factory.
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.
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Both Sides of Par: Golf Podcast for Every Handicap, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
🟢 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)
🟢 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
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
🟢 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
🟢 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
🟢 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
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
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.
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
