Europe vs. America in Numbers

After the Ryder Cup I thought it would be interesting to compare the European Tour and the PGA Tour. Players participating on both tours provided interesting, and somewhat strange results.

The Numbers GameA stat appeared on my television while I was watching the Ryder Cup on Sunday. The stat listed Paul Casey as being sixth on the European Tour in Greens in Regulation (GIR) at 75.1%. As the resident “numbers guy,” I was taken aback. I knew that Tiger Woods was ranked first on the PGA Tour… but with a GIR rate of nowhere close to 75%.

So I thought it would be worthwhile in this installment of The Numbers Game to compare players stats on both sides of the pond – the European Tour and the PGA Tour – to see what it might reveal. I’m not looking to identify the better tour – just see what the numbers tell us. I was surpised what they had to say!

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Golf Talk [Episode 038]

If misery loves company, you’ll appreciate Jeff and Erik’s take on the Ryder Cup beatdown this week.

PodcastThe U.S. Ryder Cup team suffers yet another horrible defeat at the hands of the wily Europeans. This week, we talk about this loss in-depth, along with Karrie Webb, Eric Axley, 14 whacks in a bush, and a whole lot more in our Ryder Cup wrapup. Tune in to this episode of Golf Talk for more.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 038 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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Ryder Cup Rundown

The Europeans thumped the United States for the third straight time, and I’m tired of it.

Thrash TalkI still haven’t recovered from the Ryder Cup beatdown the Europeans gave the United States this past weekend, but there really isn’t anything I can do about it. The European team was favored, so the result shouldn’t be that shocking. The final score was the same as it was in 2004 at Oakland Hills, 18½ to 9½. The complete domination is what really blows my mind, and it’s quite obvious some things need to change for the Americans.

The United States team didn’t play great golf, but they certainly played good golf. The Europeans, on the other hand, played lights out. Anything the Americans did, the Europeans did even better. I have never seen so many holed long putts and chip-ins in my life, at least in a three-day period. I take my hat off to the golfers from across the pond. They handed us a third consecutive beating, and all the credit should go to them.

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FootJoy Introduces Boa Lacing System in ReelFit Shoes

Remember when your mother taught you how to tie your shoes? Well, with FootJoy’s latest model, you can forget it. You twist instead of tie.

Bag DropThere’s a reason we don’t play in loafers. Golf requires a stable platform not only for the swing, but also for all the walking we do uphill and down. Short of wearing high tops, most golfers rely on shoes that lace up over the instep to get a firm fit.

FootJoy is taking lacing a step further, however, with its new ReelFit shoes that feature the Boa lacing system that tightens up over the instep and around the ankle.

It’s a high-tech solution that lets you dial in the support you’re looking for. What’s more, the laces will never break. Here’s the scoop…

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2006 Ryder Cup Singles Matches Live Blog

We’re live blogging the final round of the Ryder Cup. The Miracle at Brookline remains untouched in Ryder Cup history. The massacre at Oakland Hills, however, is equalled.

2006 Ryder Cup Score

11:27 – Verplank halves the 15th to win his match 3&2. Mickelson and DiMarco are both down dormie two on the 17th, likely losses. There will be no record-setting loss today for the U.S. team. Just a record-tying one. Ugh. Final score: U.S. 9½, Europe 18½.

11:23 – If the matches finish the way they are, Europe will have won the last three rounds of singles play, today 3½-8½. Over those three years, the score is 23½-12½ in favor of the Europeans.

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2006 Ryder Cup Rookies

What kind of dent will rookies make in the 2006 Ryder Cup? Take a peek at rookies on both sides of the isle and get an idea of what kind of impact they’ll have.

ProFilesThis is it. All the predictions are in. All any fan on either side of the pond can do is sit back and enjoy the competition. Europe has fielded a very good team once again and it is incumbent upon the Americans to validate their potential.

Lehman and Woosnam have made their crucial pics. With the top three players in the world on the United States team there is good reason to expect good things. But Europe has made a habit of foiling U.S. plans.

What impact will this year’s rookies have. Read on to find out…

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2006 Winners by the Numbers

So what does it take to win on tour? Greens and putting once again rule. With all the talk about distance, are you surprised?

The Numbers GameLast week I talked about what the winners had in their bag. This week in The Numbers Game I look at the winners again, but not at what driver or putter they used. This time I wanted to see what they excelled at in winning the tournaments they did.

Was it putting? Greens in regulation? Or was it one of the driving stats that they led on their way to victory? Read on to find out.

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Nike Juice to Launch in November

The Nike Juice ball arrives at our offices and plays off Viagra and other ED medications, among other things. Have a look.

Nike Juice LogoNike will introduce a new golf ball on November 1. The “Juice” is a 312-dimple surlyn-covered golf ball designed for more carry and distance for the low- to mid-head speed player who “needs a little more Juice.”

Nike sent The Sand Trap a unique teaser promotion for the new ball, and though it doesn’t quite suit my game (I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Pro V1x kinda guy myself), I’ve got to give the marketing and sports equipment giant props for thinking outside the box on this one.

We’re bored today, as the Ryder Cup is still a few days off, so we’ll give this little deal the full treatment. Read on for pictures and more information.

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Golf Talk [Episode 037]

Ryder Cup news dominates this week, naturally. Who do you think will win at the K Club?

PodcastBen Curtis and Ian Poulter win events while Ryder Cupper Paul Casey warms up at match play. Michelle Wie finishes dead last at the 84 Lumber Classic, Johnny Miller mouths off, Carolyn Bivens denies yet another promising young player a chance at the LPGA Tour, and more Ryder Cup news. Tune in to this episode of Golf Talk for more.

You can subscribe to the RSS feed for our podcasts here or download Episode 037 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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