Nine Holes with Steve Stricker

Steve Stricker found his golf swing on a range in Madison, Wisconsin, in the dead of winter. It’s always the last place you look.

ProfilesSteve Stricker almost disappeared into the woods of Wisconsin. His resume went from “promising young player” to “washed up 30-something” in a matter of months. But with the help of a space heater, his father-in-law, and a trailer on a driving range, Stricker found his game again.

By all accounts, Stricker is a nice guy, a “regular joe.” Tiger calls him “classy.” His rollercoaster PGA Tour career has been a riches-to-rags-to-riches story.

Stricker showed early promise on Tour. He won twice in 1996, his seventh year as a pro, and he seemed destined to be among the premier players. He won again in 2001, but then gradually, his swing left him and his scores rose.

He missed getting his card at the 2005 Q-School, but he’s has come a very long way since. This year, Stricker finished second in the FedExCup, made the Presidents Cup team, and scored his first win since 2001. He’s on a two-year streak of solid play that shows no sign of slowing. 2008 could be another very good year for Steve Stricker.

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Random Musings from the Thrash Pit

Set up the pins, because I’m knockin’ ’em down this week.

Thrash TalkI’m filling in this week, and I’ve got a laundry list of topics to discuss in “Quick Hit” fashion. I’ll discuss things like the Ryder and Presidents Cup captaincy, drug testing on the PGA Tour, the (possible) “tweaks” to the FedExCup, and a few other stories.

Grab your hard hats and strap yourselves in – it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

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Golf Talk [Episode 073]

Aquaman, now in theatres worldwide!

Golf Talk PodcastThe top players not from Europe compete in the Presidents Cup where the U.S. team takes 10½ of a possible 11 points in alternate shot, a format with which they’ve historically struggled, and which leads to an easy victory. Also, drug testing on the PGA Tour and much more in this week’s episode of Golf Talk.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 073 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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Volume One Hundred Sixteen

Who knew Woody Austin was such a comedian?

Hitting the LinksThe American team won the Presidents Cup by playing flawless in the team matches and strong play from top point-getter David Toms and an undefeated Scott Verplank as well as having some fun with some lake diving from Woody Austin.

This week, we have several links from the Presidents Cup, Jack wants to captain the Ryder Cup team, and if you’re not eligible to get into a tournament, just change the rules.

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GEL Ruby Putter Review

Grooves on a putter face are intended to help get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. Here with another take on grooves is a new company called GEL.

Gel Ruby Putter AngleGrooved putter faces have emerged in the last few years to open up yet another option when choosing a putter.

Yes! Golf was perhaps the first to use grooves on a putter face and were quickly followed by the likes of Guerin Rife and the TaylorMade Rossa line. Proponents say the grooves get the ball rolling much more quickly off the putter face thus reducing skidding and hopping that can cause the ball to wobble off line.

GEL (Groove Equipment Ltd.) entered the U.S. market at the 2007 PGA Merchandise Show with a line of six putters all featuring a grooved aluminum insert and named for precious stones. For our review, we chose the Ruby model. It’s an Anser-like head with a plumber’s neck. Here’s what we think after using it awhile…

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Nine Holes with the Presidents Cup

It’s no Ryder Cup, but the Presidents Cup has been a lot more competitive lately than its big sister.

ProfilesHere’s the question this week: will more people tune it to watch David Duval play in the Viking Classic or most of the top golfers in the world play the Presidents Cup? I would think it’ll be the Presidents Cup hands down. After all, Tiger’s playing (but I am pretty interested in seeing how Duval does).

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2007 Presidents Cup Staff Predictions

The Sand Trap Caucuses are complete, all votes are in, and no hanging chads! Read on to see if we are indeed bellweather journalists.

Thrash TalkThe seventh edition of the Presidents Cup match play event begins today at Royal Montreal. Unlike their performance in recent years’ Ryder Cup matches, the U.S. has had a pretty successful run in these international matches since the inaugural event in 1994. Will it continue? Read on to hear our soothsayings.

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Pinnacle Revamps Entire Golf Ball Line

Guess which golf ball brand is number two behind Titleist. It’s Pinnacle, another Achusnet company. Here they come with five new models to choose from.

Bag DropI never cease to be amazed at the way golf balls keep evolving. I mean, when you think about it, it would seem the laws of physics, available materials, and rules restrictions would one day bring innovation to a halt. But that’s not so. Every year we are treated to new versions with new feel and new performance characteristics.

Pinnacle has long been established as the leading low-priced, long distance ball. As one of the first two-piece balls to hit the market, it was one of the balls players used to call “rocks.” But that’s no longer an apt moniker. In fact the current Pinnacle marketing mantra is “Distance Doesn’t Have to be Hard.”

Low-priced distance balls have become softer and a lot more playable. And now there are five new Pinnacle versions to suit your game and your pocketbook including two aimed at the better player. Here’s a look at the new lineup…

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Volume One Hundred Fifteen

Well let’s see, there’s the Walker Cup, the Solheim Cup, the PGA Cup…

Hitting the LinksEven with the race for the coveted FedExCup over, there is still plenty of golf yet to be played with PGA Tour players trying to stay employed on the main circuit and, oh yeah, this little event call The Presidents Cup.

This week, we have several links from the PGA Tour’s Fall Season, the upcoming Presidents Cup, and back-to-back shots you won’t believe.

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