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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iGolf Neo GPS Review

Can a small, low-cost GPS help your game?

The iGolf NeoAre you still pacing off yardages? How many times do you find a marker that seems inaccurate? Wouldn’t you rather have a rangefinder? I know, they’re expensive, but now there’s one that costs less than a new fairway wood.

The iGolf Neo represents the new entry point for GPS rangefinders. At $149.99 (plus a $30 annual subscription), the iGolf Neo will make owning a GPS rangefinder a more likely proposition for many golfers.

I know what you’re thinking, a GPS rangefinder for $150? It must be seriously limited in features. Well, as a matter of fact, this review is a bit overdue, because I’ve been enjoying playing golf with the iGolf Neo instead of writing about it.

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2008 Ryder Cup Predictions

Does anyone have enough guts to pick against Europe?

Thrash TalkRyder Cup week is finally here! We have heard all the talk and hype, and now it’s time for Europe and the United States to settle things on the golf course.

Europe has completely dominated the event over the past decade or so, and they are the favorites coming into the 2008 version. The United States, on the other hand, is playing on home soil (Valhalla) and will have the crowds in their favor.

Will the Europeans continue their recent domination, or will the United States bring the Cup back to America? Also, which golfers will get the most points for their respective teams, and which golfers will disappoint the most? The Sand Trap staff members have given their predictions, and you can keep reading to find out what we all think about this year’s event. If you have anything to add, please comment below or discuss them in the forum.

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Golf Talk [Episode 100]

Michelle Wie heads to Q School, Camilo Villegas wins on the PGA Tour, and the Ryder Cup is here, Baby!

Golf Talk PodcastThe Ryder Cup is here: can the U.S. win back the Cup or will the Euros dominate again? Also this week, Michelle Wie at Q School, Camilo Villegas winning on the PGA Tour, Tiger’s new kid, 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 100 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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Titleist’s Fall Products Now Online

Some of you have been waiting for it, so here you go: Titleist’s fall lineup is now available on their website.

Titleist LogoWe received enough reaction to our two articles on Titleist’s fall 2008 equipment releases (the 909 Drivers, Fairway Metals, and Hybrids and new Vokey Wedges and Cameron Putters that we thought we’d let everyone know that the Titleist website was updated earlier this morning with the new products.

The putters are still set to ship soon, and the wedges, drivers, fairway metals, and hybrids will be available in early- to mid-November.

Even More Odds and Ends

Save the planet and buy some eco-friendly golf balls. Or at least walk instead of taking a cart.

Bag DropThe Fall equipment releases will be coming fast and furious the next few weeks so while I get those in order, I’ve got a few nuggets to share that will help you waste a few minutes in your cubicle this week.

With a few farewells, an equipment company breaking into the big leagues, and a “green” golf ball, this week’s Bag Drop bounces all over the map to bring you some equipment news.

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Sand Trap Rules Quiz Number One

Otherwise known as “How to Break the Rules of Golf”

USGA LogoHittin’ the Links is on hiatus this week, just like the PGA Tour. Instead we are going to delve into the complicated world of rules.

At the golf course, many golfers think it is fine to play without rules. It is evident among the pages of our forum just how misunderstood or unknown the USGA Rules of Golf really are (or the R&A’s, if you’re outside the USGA’s jurisdiction). Many “What’s the ruling?” or “Did I do this correctly?” threads pop up asking for advice. As golfers we enjoy helping others play by the rules. So we here at The Sand Trap thought, well, why don’t we have a column to help people learn about and understand the rules.

Let me introduce the Sand Trap Rules Quiz Number One.

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