Golf mental performance business expands into Scotland

A company dedicated to providing golf mental performance coaching to elite amateur and professional golfers has launched in Scotland after appointing a well-known figure in two of the country’s finest products – golf and whisky – to head it up. 

The Scottish arm of Underpin Sports, which is dedicated to equipping players with the psychological tools and mental strength needed to overcome the pressure of competing at the very top of the game, will be led by Edinburgh-based Scott Dickson.

Dickson has worked in the Scottish drinks industry for over 20 years, is an avid golfer and runs the successful Whisky Caddie business which combines his love of golf with his passion for whisky. The company fuses together whisky tasting for golf parties touring the country, to seamlessly bring together two of Scotland’s biggest exports.

A well-known figure across the drinks industry, Dickson has held positions at Maxxuim UK and Highland Spring through to leading sponsorships and partnerships for the Loch Lomond Group which involved managing the activation of The Open Championship. 

As part of his role to launch Underpin in Scotland, Scott will focus on expanding its 72 Club corporate network which brings together businesses in sectors ranging from accounting to construction. Each 72 Club corporate member benefits from a programme of events, strategic partnership opportunities and the ability to help fund the mental performance coaching of Underpin players who are at the start of their golfing career and often under financial pressure. 

Commenting of his appointment, Dickson said: “It’s a real honour to be launching Underpin in Scotland, having been involved in the golf industry for the last seven years and seen the amazing growth trajectory the business has been on, especially in the last 12 months.

“I share the company’s vision and firmly believe in the importance of having the right mental approach to the game, especially for those players competing at the elite level. I also believe Underpin will be a big success in Scotland and prove hugely attractive to businesses looking to expand their corporate network, drive new commercial opportunities, or simply help the future of the amateur and professional game.”

Dickson will be supported in Scotland by Underpin’s founder and head mental performance coach Greg Robertson, who will focus on growing the company’s portfolio of golfing stars north of the border. 

Underpin have played a pivotal role in the mental performance development of some of the game’s rising stars, including Charlotte Heath who was crowned leading amateur and winner of the Smyth Salver at this year’s AIG Women’s Open. Being lead partner for the Clutch Pro Tour – a feeder to both the Challenge and DP World Tours – will also be critical to Underpin forging greater relationships with up-and-coming Scottish players competing on the tour.

Robertson added: “Launching a new business in Scotland is challenging for any company but being able to bring on board someone of Scott’s calibre is a major advantage. His extensive experience working for some of Scotland’s best loved brands and heavy involvement in the golf industry will prove key to attracting more businesses to our corporate network and driving our growth.

“Although we have an international portfolio of players benefitting from our mental performance coaching, we are also excited to be working increasingly with the next generation of golf stars across Scotland.”