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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The Thrifty Golfer

Though I only sometimes take my own advice, there really are ways to save money on golf.

Trap Five LogoHere in Central Ohio, there’s a faint scent of autumn in the air. Every time I mow the lawn there are a few more leaves to mulch in with the grass. The summer heat suddenly left last week and at night now the air has a definite chill to it.

Fall offers some of the best golf of the year in Columbus. You can enjoy golf in 75 degree temperatures with lower humidity than we get during the Summer. As long as you don’t lose a ball in a pile of leaves, there’s not much not to like about it. Plus you can play in the morning and watch football in the afternoon. It doesn’t get much better than that.

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2008 Ryder Cup Keys to Victory

Find out what each team needs to do to be successful next week at Valhalla.

Thrash TalkThe 2008 Ryder Cup is only one week away, and the media hype is increasing by the day. On paper, this is one of the most intriguing competitions in the event’s history. The two captains aren’t afraid to take friendly jabs at each other, and they aren’t afraid to speak their minds either. That’s just one of the key storylines heading into Valhalla Golf Club.

The absence of a few select golfers is also garnering plenty of attention. Tiger Woods won’t be playing competitively until 2009, and the United States will attempt to win without the world’s greatest golfer. On the other side, the absence of Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke have European fans wondering how well the team will perform. Both are past Ryder Cup stalwarts, and it will be weird seeing the two missing in action.

All that aside, this year’s Ryder Cup will come down to the play of the 24 golfers who made their respective teams. What does the United States have to do to win for the first time since 1999? Also, what does Europe have to do to continue their recent dominance? I’ve put together a few keys to victory for each team, so sit back and enjoy.

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Newport Cup 2K8: The Equipment

Join me as we take a look at the equipment behind the Newport Cup 2K8.

Bag DropThis past weekend we slogged through some rainy weather (and one ridiculously insane course) to play the Newport Cup. While not only enjoying the other participant’s company, I also enjoyed taking a sneak peak behind the bags of the equipment the other guys were using.

I also greatly enjoyed using the equipment that came courtesy of our sponsors. Each are very highly recommended and carry the Bag Drop seal of approval. I suggest checking them out during your next stop at your favorite golf shop.

What I found wasn’t too surprising (only one strange geometric-shaped driver) among the better players in the group and I came away with some ideas of what I may look for if I ever decide to revamp my bag (mostly in the wedge configuration).

So join me as we take a peak behind the curtain of the equipment that made headlines at the Newport Cup.

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Newport Cup 2K8: Some Photos

Some photos from the week that was the Newport Cup 2K8.

Newport CupThe 2K8 Newport Cup is in the books, but we’d like to share some photos of the event. Before doing so, again, we’d like to thank this year’s tournament sponsors, without whom the event would not be quite as fun: FootJoy, Titleist, Leupold, Frogger, Zero Friction, and Crocs. Please support our sponsors, as they were not chosen only because they were willing to put some nifty stuff into the hands (and on the backs or heads) of some avid golfers, but because they produce the finest quality stuff available. We all truly appreciate and like their products.

The images are in no particular order (except the first one), but click through to get a small glimpse into the week that was the Newport Cup 2K8.

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