Volume One Hundred Sixty Two

Camilo gets the win, but Vijay gets the big check

Hittin' the LinksHello again and welcome back to another edition of Hittin’ the Links. Well the FedExCup and all the unbelievable excitment that goes with it is over. I know that will leave a giant void in most golf fans lives but we will just have to trudge on, and HTL is here to help.

In this volume, we take a look at Vijay and his newly acquired cup, see how Camilo Villegas is doing after his second consecutive win, and find out what happened to Anthony Kim. Also, we investigate John Daly’s missing phone fiasco, see if the recent Ryder Cup captains made the grade, and do a complete check on the rest of the tour events from around the world. Read on.

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Xavier Augustyniak Swing Analysis

In this Swing Check: The importance of posture and balance in the swing, and dispelling the myth of keeping the head down and the left arm straight.

Swing CheckIn this Swing Check we look at the swing of Xavier Augustyniak (known on the forum as The Rambler).

Xavier carried an 11.3 index at the time these video clips were taken. He describes his mis-hits as going far to the right and his contact being both off the heel and the toe. He says his swing thoughts are to keep his head and body down and his left arm straight.

As we examine his swing we’ll look at how other things are the causes of lifting out of the shot and why the bending of the target side arm shouldn’t be a concern. By the end of the article you should never have to think about keeping your head down or left arm straight again, and you should have an understanding of what leads to those occurrences (and how to correct for them).

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2008 Tour Championship Thoughts

In case you are wondering, there is golf after the Ryder Cup.

Thrash TalkThe 2008 Ryder Cup has come and gone, and it was nice to see a competitive event this time around. The United States seemed almost destined to win this year, and after playing great all weekend, they brought the Cup back to America. Both teams and captains deserve a lot of credit for making this year’s Ryder Cup one of the most entertaining in recent history.

There have been a million articles about the Ryder Cup, and rightfully so. That being said, it’s time to get back to reality, and that is the Tour Championship. It has been one of the best events in golf since its inception, and this year’s playing should be no different. It’s the last event in the FedExCup Playoffs, the field is strong, and the course is always challenging. Here are a few things worth mentioning before kicking things off at East Lake.

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Golf Talk [Episode 101]

The U.S. is victorious at the Ryder Cup!

Golf Talk PodcastThis week, it’s (almost) all about the Ryder Cup and the U.S.’s stunning 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 victory over the Europeans. We’ll break down the entire week, the players, the course, and the captains. Plus, Michelle Wie’s qualifying quest and a whole lot more in this episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 101 as an MP4 file. For those who want to subscribe to us in iTunes, click here.

For this week’s Show Notes – links to articles we discuss in the show and additional information – just read on.

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Bunker’s Dozen: September 2008

This month’s list features a heavy dose of Ryder Cup and FedExCup.

Thrash TalkThe 2008 Ryder Cup is in the books, and the United States was victorious for the first time since 1999. The competition was close all weekend, and things could have gone either way. In the end, however, the Americans prevailed over the highly-favored Europeans.

Speaking of cups, the 2008 FedExCup Playoffs are nearly in the books as well. The Tour Championship begins this week, and while Vijay Singh has things wrapped up so long as he can complete all four rounds, there will be a lot of movement within the rest of the field. Singh won the first two playoff events, and Camilo Villegas picked up his first career PGA Tour victory at the third.

Can the United States Ryder Cup team hold off Vijay Singh and Camilo Villegas in this month’s rankings? Keep reading to find out. If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss them in the forum.

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Equipment Odds and Ends

A few random thoughts on golf equipment – from rust on wedges to hybrids to golf balls and the practice range.

Bag DropAlan’s taking a week off from Bag Drop, so I’m filling in with some odds and ends – random little thoughts about golf equipment. I’ll write what comes to mind, and share some opinions with you.

This week, I’ve got some thoughts to share with you on topics ranging from rust to playing the same ball, from the driving range to the video camera, and range balls and clean grooves. Join me, see what you think, and post your own equipment tips in the comments at the end.

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Volume One Hundred Sixty One

The Americans take back the Ryder Cup!

Hittin' the LinksGood Day and welcome again to Hittin’ the Links. HTL took a needed vacation last week to make room for the Rules Quiz, but is again back in action bringing you the best in golf off the world wide web.

In this one hundred and sixty first volume, we first take in all that is great about the U.S. Ryder Cup victory. After that, we see what else was going on on the PGA Tour, see how it goes in Michelle Wie’s quest for an LPGA Tour card, and find out who has again fallen victim to those dangerous golf cart accidents. In addition, we check in on the ailing Tom Watson, see who missed too many cuts to be eligible for the Vardon trophy, and take a peek at whats left on the PGA Tour schedule. Read on!

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2008 Ryder Cup Singles Matches Live Blog

The U.S. needs 5½ points, while Europe needs 7. It’s a race to the finish Sunday at The 37th Ryder Cup.

Ryder CupThe 37th Ryder Cup has come down to the final day – something you couldn’t say the previous two years. Of course, the last time the U.S. took a 9-7 lead into the final-day singles matches, they lost – in 1995 at Oak Hill in Rochester, NY.

Like 1995, the U.S. team is playing without Tiger, but the comparisons will likely stop there. This Ryder Cup, unlike others in recent years, has seen a sort of role reversal. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood have records of 0-1-2 and sat out a match for the first time in over a decade. Rookies on the U.S. squad have stepped up, like Boo Weekley and Hunter Mahan. In short, the U.S. team has been making the clutch shots and holing the key putts, while such instances for the Europeans have been much fewer and farther between.

It’s all shaping up to be an exciting final day at the 37th Ryder Cup. Click through to read along.

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Frogger Amphibian Towel Review

The Frogger Amphibian towel might be the last golf towel you need to buy.

Frogger Amphibian Towel HeroSeveral weeks back I discussed some towel options you may want to check out during your next trip to your favorite golf shop (or to look at during lunchtime at the office). One of the towels mentioned was the Frogger Amphibian towel, which I’ve been using for the past month.

I know what you might be thinking, “It’s just a towel” but if you’re even semi-fanatical about keeping your clubs clean while on the course, you know how important a good towel can be. A good towel is key in keeping your clubs free and clear of debris and looking good. Read on to find out why I think the Amphibian towel is the best towel currently on the market.

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