Shaft Skinz on Golf365 Dragon's Den

Martin Greeves is a designer from Northern Ireland who has worked with of the likes of BP/Mobil, Pepsi, Lynx, Imperial Leather and Norwich Union.  He appeared on the BBC's Dragon's Den program. And then he enters the Golf365 Dragon's Den. Followings are a conversation between Martin and Golf365 Dragon.

Martin: Hello, Shaft Skinz is a component product that offers golfers the opportunity to both decorate and protect the shafts of their discount golf clubs. Wafer thin, pre-printed plastic film sleeves slide over the grip and are shrunk onto the shaft in a matter of minutes using a strong domestic hair dryer before any excess is trimmed away.

Golf365 Dragon: Hello Martin, I'm Matt Cooper. You mentioned the dual purpose - protection and decoration. Can you talk us through the protection aspect?

Martin: Sure. Our shafts take abuse from the moment we first put them in them in our GOLF BAGS. We take them in and out and the shafts rub against one another, we ride around in carts or toss the bag into the boot of the car and the shafts jostle against one another. This, along with the better known phenomenon of bag wear on graphite, takes its toll. Graphite paint rubs away, weakening the shaft leaving an unsightly blemish and steel ultimately rusts in damper climates. Shaft Skinz forms a protective skin (that also carries graphics) and becomes the first barrier to damage.

Golf365 Dragon: Your business plan seems to have focused on the US - how do British golfers get hold of them?

Martin: Shaft Skinz could best be described as a component golf clubs - like a grip or shaft - so the best way to get them is to ask your local pro or golf specialist retailer about getting them into their shop. They will then be in a position to put them on for you.

Golf365 Dragon: How easy are they to apply?

Martin: With a suitably strong hair dryer (2kw) they're really easy. We've even had it said by some club fitters that they're "idiot proof!" However, you need to take care to follow the instructions carefully. The key is to be patient so as to get the desired results. The process should take around 3-4 minutes. We have a movie on the website showing just how to do it.

Golf365 Dragon: How can golfers get hold of them?

Martin: We have started adding retailers in Northern Ireland because it's where we are based but generally, at the moment, it will have to be via the website. Keep checking our list of retailers on www.shaftskinz.com/retail over the coming season to find a stockist near you as we add them.

Golf365 Dragon: Thanks Martin. I'm impressed. If I was a real Dragon I'd now be stumping up the cash and trying to take a ludicrously high percentage of your business. 

golf clubs recommended: TaylorMade 2009 Burner TP Driver and TaylorMade R9 460 Driver

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