We live in a truly strange country. The last few weeks, epitomised by the uproar after Rob Green’s miscarriage of a football have truly shown that for some reason, we reside in this whirlwind, cutthroat country where anger, dismay, betrayal, and annoyance peek round every corner. It’s like people have a tirade of vuvuzelas going off in their minds with each passing second.

Before people (well mainly women, but let’s not be sexist) go on holiday they often say the motive is to ‘get away from things’. Therefore, to find the precious and rare jewel of salvation on our own shores was a hard to come by luxury for me.

The ability to during summer, roll up to your local track, and become immersed in such an organically pure microcosm within the bizarre nature of our fine land, pays testament to the game. And the game is golf. Casual – now that’s how golf is supposed to be played, think not of a good walk ruined, but a stroll in the company of your mates, there not to win the half-quid Nassau but to relax, take it easy, and escape.

After an exam-ridden month, which unfortuitously led to a lack of golf, a return into a casual round was my salvation. I say casual, I should add Smart Casual, of course clobbered in the finest UKKO garments, on this occasion consisting of the sharp Black V-Neck, paired with the Black belt, and some black p-stripes, in tandem with the white polo to complete this slickly defined, ever-classy, and highly recommendable number – to add a touch of panache into the proceedings.

The golf itself prospered despite the break from the sport as I steadily put together some tasty numbers in early holes, before a missed fairway brought the first bogey half way through. In the true casual spirit of the pursuit I didn’t let it bother me, forgot about it, and ended up carding a more than adequate summer evening 36 (+2) for the nine holes that endured, and loved.

I wouldn’t say this has been a cautionary tale, but I urge you, just sit back, relax and frankly don’t give a vuvuzela for once. Please take it easy, enjoy the run in to summer and all the while look classy in your garms, and until next time…

Here’s to letting it slide.

Tom Ayling