I 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.
There’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.
This 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. 
Last 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 
Nike 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.”
Ben 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.