The great umbrella debate
Steve Carroll: Mild winters: Great for getting out on the course. Not so great if you don’t like playing in rain.
There seems to be the patter of precipitation every time I step out onto the first tee at the moment and, with the skies grey again at the weekend, I found myself watching my pals stocking up on new umbrellas from the golf shop and shaking my head in wonder.
I haven’t carried an umbrella for years now.
There’s a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, I carry my bag and it’s a pain to put an umbrella up and down every time I walk to a shot. And secondly, waterproofs these days are so good it’s hard to get soaked even in a proper storm. Actually there is a third: they’re really quite expensive.
Am I on my own? Is it time to ditch the brolly or is it still a staple of everyone’s bag?
Mark Townsend: Can I shock you? I haven’t got an umbrella that dates after the mid ’90s. They’re a pain in the arse; to carry, put up, put down, use, hopeless in the wind, downwind or into, and, having spent great care to avoid getting my hands wet, 10 seconds with any umbrella undoes all this.
And then there’s the main reason that I love waterproof bucket hats.
Tom Lenton: I rarely carry one unless using a trolley and prefer to just stand in the trees. If it keeps raining then I’ll walk in – if possible. If I’m staying out there a Sunice waterproof bucket hat is ideal to keep the specs dry.
SC: Nice bit of product placement there, Tom…
Alex Perry: I’m an old man who uses a push trolley – Stewart Golf R1-S, since we’re product placing – with an umbrella attachment so I don’t have to faff with it. It does make me look a bit like I’m running a hot dog stall though.
James Savage: I’ve got a fantastic Nike umbrella which has come in handy when caught in the odd torrential downpour.
I never use it between shots because it’s a pain in the backside putting it down or trying to rest it on your bag. It inevitably blows away in the wind.
I only use it when the rain gets so bad that you have to stop playing. Well worth having one in your bag.
Craig Middleton: I used to own a classic Dunlop umbrella – £3 from Sports Direct,thank you very much – but it couldn’t handle a 5 mile-an-hour north-easterly gale.
Since then I haven’t even thought of dabbling into the umbrella market. If I get wet I get wet. Isn’t that why we have waterproof jackets?
SC: Trust the Newcastle fan to get a Mike Ashley plug in. Shameless. Speaking of which, have you all got exclusive umbrella deals?
Alex Perry: Don’t Bring sUch negativitY to our Perfectly sensIble non-braNded dialoGue
That was not worth the effort.
Jordan Elliott: I always have an umbrella in the boot. I generally look at the weather forecast and the weather while in the car park at the club and make my decision accordingly as to whether I need to bring it out on the course with me.
AP: No one asked for a sensible answer, Jord…
Jamie Millar: Long live the waterproof jacket.
JS: Won’t keep your flowing locks dry Jamie.
TL: Nobody joining me in the trees?
Who should run your golf club?
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The Niggle: 300-yard drives or six-foot putts?
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
