Both Sides of Par: The Golf Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Colin and Ross sit down with Scott Fawcett, the brain behind the DECADE Course Management System and the man who caddied for a then unknown Will Zalatoris when he won the Texas Amateur and the US Junior back in 2014. Scott has worked in some capacity with roughly a third of the PGA Tour, holds three quantitative degrees, and once played pro golf himself, which is how he discovered the unromantic but inconvenient truth that the lads at the very top are not just better ball strikers, they are also far better thinkers. He brings all of that to a conversation pitched squarely at the two sides of the par.

Things kick off in the most heretical place possible: putting. Scott makes the case that leaving some putts short from fifteen feet and beyond is not a sin, it is maths, and that speed control alone fixes the vast majority of bad putting rounds. From there the conversation opens out into the full DECADE philosophy. Why the flag is the biggest distraction in golf, why bogey avoidance drives lower scores far more than chasing birdies (the fractional bogey idea alone is worth the price of admission), how Ross genuinely saved shots by swapping driver for a five wood off one tee at his home course, and how big your shot pattern actually is when you are honest about it, even on a Tour pro's sand wedge.

The chat rounds out with strategy from the trees (Scott's lovely framing of adversity versus opportunity), why nearly every Tour player now owns one shape off the tee rather than working it both ways, and the mental side of all of this, including Scott's confession that he used to be the worst hothead in professional golf. He finishes with his single biggest tip for the twenty plus handicap brigade, and it is simpler than you would expect.

🟢 Scott explains the maths of capture size and why hitting a putt two feet past the hole actually makes the cup 55% smaller, with stories from his Friday wolf game to back it up

🟢 The two foot circle drill: Scott's go to speed control practice routine from 20 to 30 feet, and the college player who fixed his three putt problem in a fortnight by doing nothing else

🟢 The Will Zalatoris hole in one at the US Open, where Scott was less interested in the shot itself and more interested in the fact that the flag was not Will's target. Seven yards right was

🟢 The fractional bogey theory: why a double is two and a half times worse than a bogey, not twice as bad, and why Scottie Scheffler's run of wins came mostly from bogey avoidance rather than extra birdies

🟢 Ross's real world example of swapping driver for a five wood off the back tee on a 340 yard par four at his home course, going from half a shot above par to making pars on average

🟢 Scott's one tip for higher handicappers in the closing minutes: have a very clear, visualised intention on every single shot, and be willing to say it out loud

🟢 Scott Fawcett's DECADE Course Management System: https://decade.golf

🟢 DECADE Golf on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decade_golf

🟢 The DECADE app (available in the App Store)

🟢 DECADE Breaking 90, Scott's upcoming app aimed at 15 to 25 handicappers

🟢 Will Zalatoris, PGA Tour player and Scott's original guinea pig back in 2014

🟢 Mark Broadie's book Every Shot Counts, the foundational text on Strokes Gained

🟢 Raymond Floyd's book The Art of Scoring

🟢 Lou Stagner, Scott's go to source for amateur golf data

00:00 Welcome and intro to the show

00:34 Scott Fawcett joins Colin and Ross

01:25 Why leaving putts short isn't a sin

04:26 The college putting problem and capture size

07:18 The two foot circle drill for speed control

11:09 Cam Smith and the mindset of not trying to make putts

12:48 What DECADE actually stands for

16:14 The cardiologist analogy: is DECADE only for elites?

20:19 Course management for the mid 20s handicap

20:51 Why the flag is the biggest distraction in golf

25:07 Ross swaps driver for a five wood and saves shots

26:28 The fractional bogey theory

31:42 Should different handicaps approach the same pin differently?

34:33 Shot patterns and the 20 yard circle

37:39 Owning one shape off the tee, and the Rory question

43:06 Strategy in the trees: adversity or opportunity

49:01 The mental side of course management

55:18 Scott's one tip for the higher handicapper

58:48 Where to find Scott online

We'd love to hear your feedback - what can we improve about the show? What do you want to stay the same? Email us at: hello@bothpar.com

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.

🟢 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

🟢 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

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.

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

Let us know what you want from the show! Email us at hello@bothpar.com, as tell us:

• 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.

🟢 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

🟢 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

🟢 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.

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

Let us know what you want from the show! Email us at hello@bothpar.com, as tell us:

• 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

Let us know what you want from the show! Email us at hello@bothpar.com, as tell us:

• 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.

🟢 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)

🟢 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

Let us know what you want from the show! Email us at hello@bothpar.com, as tell us:

• 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.

🟢 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

🟢 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

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

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.

• 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.

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.

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

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.