Volume Four Hundred Eight

The continuing Ryder Cup angst, Rory’s absence, and how to handle a burglar.

Hittin' the LinksAh, Fall golf. When watching the tour wrap up show will leave you wondering, “Who the heck is Ben Martin?”

Fall is a season for fast starts. With the new wrap around season on the PGA TOUR, new players to the tour and those who have yet to break through have a great opportunity to make some money and jump start their 2015. Just ask Jimmy Walker how that works.

Breaking News as we go to press: Tiger Woods is taking full swings again, and the U.S. is still not quite sure what to do about Ryder Cup performances.

There’s plenty to talk about. Let’s hit the links.

Titleist Announces 915 Product Line

Each year, Titleist alternates between releasing woods and irons. This time around, it is the 915 line; the most advanced woods the company has ever produced.

Bag DropWhile some golf companies go the route of bombarding the customer with release after release, Titleist takes the opposite approach and sticks to a two year product cycle with woods and irons alternating years. While that means that there is often a product from a competitor with more current technology, it gives Titleist the opportunity to do its due diligence and figure out what technologies work, which don’t and then bring debut a lineup that will hold its own for a couple years. It wasn’t until the 910 line of clubs that Titleist added an adjustable hosel, which was quite a while after competitors such as TaylorMade and Callaway had done so; however, Titleist took the time to do it right and the hosel they created is regarded by many to be the best of the bunch; an opinion which is further supported by the fact that four years later the company is still using the same one and is no essentially being used by Callaway (just a minor tweak to their version).

With the 915 woods, Titleist has its most featured packed set of clubs. While most of the technologies are ones that we’ve seen in one version or another from the company’s competitors, you can be sure that the company has done it the right way.

How to Start Winning the Ryder Cup Again

Once again the U.S. was beat in the Ryder Cup. I outline some changes that we can make to turn the tide and start winning this event.

Thrash TalkSomething has to change. Heck, if nothing changes the Ryder Cup might not even be worth watching anymore because the U.S. is not competitive. The U.S. has now lost eight of the last ten. That is a whooping of biblical proportions.

As you know by now Phil Mickelson has outlined what he thinks we should do to stem the tide. There are arguments that the timing of Phil’s message was bad, but to that I say hogwash. The American side needs to face up to the challenge. It must accept that it has change its ways in order to start winning. We can no longer show up with an honorary captain who is there because he was a great golfer in his day. We need to think about changing everything.

I have a plan for the U.S. team. I want to make big changes.

Volume Four Hundred Seven

Ryder Cup angst continues, the PGA TOUR resumes, and Brandt Snedeker is one heck of a skeet shooter.

Hittin' the LinksAt long last, the PGA TOUR Season is underway. I don’t know about you, but that three-week layoff seemed like an eternity to me, even with the Ryder Cup wedged in there.

Speaking of the Ryder Cup, it remains a hot topic in golf. Paul Azinger was first rumored to be part of the Ryder Cup task force with Phil, Tiger, and Rickie, but now says he will not be on it. He is still the smart money bet to captain the next U.S. Team. Of course, there are just under 720 days to go until the first matches tee off. It’s about time for the hype to begin.

For now, let’s hit the links.

Volume Four Hundred Six

Watson’s under fire, Williams retires, and McIlroy putts into the Road Hole Bunker.

Hittin' the LinksThe Ryder Cup blame game continued all week, as well as attempts to quench the fire. Look for changes to the process next time around, whether or not the blame ultimately falls with the captain or the players.

Speaking of which, the qualifying process begins this week for the 2016 Ryder Cup as the 2014/15 PGA TOUR gets underway with the Frys.com Open in Napa, California. It’s also the start of the 2015 FedExCup chase. Lots of Web.com Tour graduates will use their newly minted Tour cards to join the field with others looking for a fast start on next year.

Silly Season is no more. Let’s hit the links.

A Convincing Argument for 15 Inch Holes

The game of golf is struggling to find new players, I explore a way for larger holes to help grow the game of golf.

Thrash TalkThe first time I heard the idea of fifteen-inch holes I rejected it. The idea was brought to the golf world’s attention by TaylorMade CEO Mark King as part of the “Hack Golf” initiative. I lean much more toward the traditionalist view of playing the game as it was intended. I reasoned that fifteen-inch holes would make a mockery of the game that I love very much.

Recently however, I had a conversation with a good friend who convinced me that there is a way to implement the larger hole and still keep the tradition of the game.

As golfers we must accept that our game’s growth has stalled. In fact, it’s not only stalled, but is going backward. The game is headed in reverse. My initial reaction on how to fix this growth problem comes in identifying the problems with the game today. The number one killer is slow play, or time. It just takes too long to finish a round of golf. Golf needs to be faster.

Adams Unveils New Tight Lies Woods and Hybrids

Adams Golf updates the popular Tight Lies line with hybrids and titanium fairway woods.

Bag DropCertain golf companies tend to make one think of certain types of clubs, and with Adams golf, the mind goes immediately to woods and hybrids. Years ago, the company produced one of the most popular fairway woods of all time with the Tight Lies and more recently, they’ve become known for making easy-to-hit hybrids.

About this time last year, the company reintroduced its famed Tight Lies line of clubs and now the company is ready to roll out an update to those clubs. The new clubs still have the features that make it part of the Tight Lies line, however new technology has been built in to add to the clubs distance and forgiveness.

Volume Four Hundred Five

Euros keep the Cup, U.S. team holds controversial presser, and what is going on with Rickie and Bubba?

Hittin' the LinksIt’s all over in Scotland. Now the hand-wringing and Monday-morning captaining begin for the U.S.

The U.S. team managed a Saturday morning rally, but the Euros answered in Foursomes that afternoon and took a 10-6 lead into the Sunday singles matches. The Americans will have two years to sort out why the Euros have won eight of the last 10 contests. The series will reconvene in 2016 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota

Volume Four Hundred Four

The Web [dot] com Tour awarded another 25 PGA Tour cards, the Horschels’ daughter arrived, and… oh yeah, it’s Ryder Cup Week.

Hittin' the LinksWhat a week Billy Horschel had! Just days after winning the TOUR Championship and FedExCup, he sent this tweet:

I’m thinking not very many people have ever had a better week.

The PGA Tour had the weekend off, but there was still plenty of golf news. Not to mention, it’s Ryder Cup Week! The U.S.A. and Euro teams don’t tee off until Friday, but until then, let’s hit the links.