Episode 25: Alan Tait

Karyn Dallas from Forfar Golf Club joins us in this episode to chat about playing on the European Tour and her illustrious coaching career.  We wanted to get an insight into how Golf has changed throughout her career and how is can be developed further to increase participation levels across the board in Scotland.  Karyn also takes some time to answer some fun questions.

Alan Tait joins us in this episode to chat about his career to date and his youth at Irvine Golf Club at Bogside.  We wanted to know whether he feels the Amateur game has changed much since he played on the youth circuit in Scotland.  Having gained his European Tour Card in 1997 Alan reflects on this period of his life and what it was like to play golf at Carnoustie with a young Tiger Woods and at the time current Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw.  Having worked for the BBC we wanted to know what event was his favourite to cover commentary at and also get an insight into his current involvement in GolPhin, which is the leading UK company for kids equipment. 

In this episode Steven Yellin, author of Simplicity and developer of the revolutionary training program Fluid Motion Factor joins us to chat about getting in the zone.  Steven was an extremely accomplished Tennis player who won the Florida state high school tennis singles championships whilst also being a member of the championship team. He then went on to have a successful college career playing #1 singles at the University of Pennsylvania.   For 45 years he has researched how people access Fluid Motion and get into "The Zone" to maximise Sports performance.  We wanted to discuss his book Simplicity and also get an idea into the Fluid Motion Factor and why an increasing number of Golfers are adapting it.

Karl Morris joins us in this episode to discuss Golf Performance.  In an era where information is readily available, do we need to take a simpler approach? (0:58) We wanted to get Karl's take on what things amateurs overlook and how we should be approaching practice. (9:00) Karl also tells us who he has worked with, that has the strongest approach to both the mental and physical desire to improve at Golf. (12:00) We also wanted to get an insight into Karls career and highlights to date. (44:20) Karl also answers some fun questions.  

John Henry from Clydebank joins us in this episode to us about how he got into the game and developing The Johnsons Tour.  John also won the Scottish Par 3 Championship this year and narrowly missed out winning the Tartan Pro Tour which would have seen him compete in the Scottish Open. John takes on some fun questions in the 9 Hole Challenge as well. 

Fresh off his Scottish PGA and Northern Open wins, Ross Cameron from Peterhead joins us to discuss all the towns recent successes in the game. Discover what got Ross into Golf and what things he wishes he could a younger self. We wanted to get an insight into his recent victories and who his picks are for the Masters in November. 

In this episode Darren and David slow things down to reflect on 20 episodes and discuss the recent US Open.  With the Masters around the corner what can we expect given the Tournament is in November? The guys also discuss some questions from the 9 Hole Challenge to give their take on things 

Philip McLean from Peterhead in the North East joins David and Darren for a chat about growing up in Peterhead and course records. (3:24) Fatherhood may have changed his approach to things however his dedication to the game remains unquestionable.  (5:50) Like Kevin Duncan, Philip plays on the Pro Golf Tour however more locally he has been playing at home on the Tartan Pro Tour. (11:10) Following on from a comment on Facebook, Philip explains how he won the Scottish Area Team Championship at Kinross and the subsequent celebrations which are rare in the gamer. (13:31) Philip also provides some useful advice for the juniors out there who are aspiring to reach his level of the game. (16:53) Phil also takes on the 9 Hole Challenge.

From slightly further South than the North East Reece Mitchell joins us to chat about growing up in Dundee and leaning his Trade at Downfield Golf Club. (2:33) Find out what brought this young man to the North East to work.  (3:50) Reece is a Taylor Made Master Fitter and we wanted to get his take on the latest release of the 770 iron model which undoubtedly is one of the most beautiful irons on the market at the minute. (10:19) As a Tiger fan we wanted to gets Reece's take on whether he thinks he will surpass Mr Nicklaus's record. (11:37) Reece takes on the 9 Hole Challenge and leaves nothing short.

Aboyne native Shannon McWilliam joins us to chat about her upbringing in the local area and what Junior golf was like over the years. (2:30) Shannon also discusses her progression from County based golf to performing on a World Stage for Scotland and Great Britain & Ireland at the Curtis Cup in 2018. (9:30) Not one for following Golf on a weekly basis Shannon also discusses her job away from the Golf Course as a carer and how this keeps her grounded and keeps things in perspective. With a Mother that is a Senior Staff Nurse in Aberdeen she prides herself on how hard her mother works and is committed to her job. (12:04) As another amateur taking the Tee will Shannon push up the Leaderboard given her Amateur career to date?