Lessons from the 2010 Ryder Cup

From Pavin’s cure for insomnia to McDowell’s stones, what we’ll take away from 2010 at Celtic Manor.

Thrash TalkWatching this year’s Ryder Cup through the fog of too little sleep and the sputtering pace brought on by epic rain made for quite an experience. When it was all said and done, and I’d caught my breath from a dazzling final day of singles matches, I realized there was plenty to take away.

From the telling difference between the captains, to the way certain players stepped to the forefront on the biggest stage and in the most crucial situations, we can draw conclusions that will last far longer than Europe’s champagne hangover.

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More New Equipment From TaylorMade-adidas Golf

TaylorMade-adidas continues to roll out quality equipment and apparel

Bag DropTaylorMade–adidas Golf has keeps pumping out the goods, as they have improved on a number of familiar designs, and unleashes a new Ghost just in time for Halloween. Okay, that was kinda cheesy, I know, but when I see something that easy, I just can’t help myself.

Yes, we’ve got a number of odds and ends from TMaG this week. On the apparel side, there are some very classy new shoes, and some versatile new outerwear just in time for the chilly months. On the equipment side, the Burner line of balls have undergone some improvements, while another one of the popular Rossa putters gets the Ghost white paint treatment. There’s a lot to cover this week, so lets get started!

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Mizuno MP-630 Fast Track Driver Review

Mizuno is thought of for their incredible irons, but the MP-630 Fast Track driver may change some minds about what Mizuno does best…

Mizuno MP-630 Fast Track Driver HeroWhen you say the name “Mizuno” to the typical golfer, they first think of one thing – forged irons, often a muscleback or blade type material.

If this typical golfer kept thinking, they might never arrive at “drivers,” let alone drivers with adjustable weights. As popular as Mizuno is for their irons, they’re at least as unpopular for their hybrids, fairway woods, and drivers.

Unfortunately, their stellar irons overshadow an impressive woods/metals lineup, the best of which may very well be the MP-630 Fast Track driver. Read on as we shed a little light on Mizuno’s under-appreciated driver.

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Volume Two Hundred Fifty Three

Lee’s headed to #1, what really happened with those rain suits, and we have found the cigar guy!

Hittin' the LinksHappy Fall Finish to you golf fans and welcome to another edition of Hittin’ the Links. There is a chill in the air, the top players in the world are all going on vacation, and a bunch of guys around the $700,000 mark in earnings are starting to panic; it must be the Fall Finish on the PGA Tour!

In this edition of HTL we begin with a look at the world golf rankings, then investigate the U.S. Ryder Cup team’s rain gear, and sing happy birthday to the best ball in golf. Also on tap, we look into soon-to-be #1 Lee Westwood’s plans for 2011, find out who the infamous “cigar guy” is, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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Volume Two Hundred Fifty Two

The Americans come up a half point short

Hittin' the LinksHello golf fans and welcome to Hittin’ the Links. The column is coming to you a day late this week in order to get in all those Ryder Cup stories. And what a Ryder Cup it was, but alas the Americans came up a half point short. Watch out, we will be looking to get it back in Chicago in 2012.

In this edition of HTL we begin with a look at Hunter Mahan, then turn our attention to the greatest Tiger picture ever, and take a peek at the Nationwide Tour members looking to move up. Also, Tiger’s brother speaks out, we recap the 2010 Ryder Cup, and peruse the rest of the weekends events. Read on!

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Ryder Cup 2010 Staff Predictions

Will the U.S. squad defend its victory and bring the Cup home? Or will the upstart Europeans defend their turf in Wales?

Thrash TalkThe Americans have the top two players in the world, but Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are anything but Ryder Cup stars. Through their careers, they’ve never won this bi-annual event outside of America. Can an injection of young blood carry the U.S.?

Or will Colin Montgomerie’s crew – favored by the bookmakers, by the way – put on a winning team effort at Celtic Manor?

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AccuSport Launches VectorX Personal Launch Monitor

Have you ever wanted the benefits of a personal launch monitor, but didn’t have the dedicated space for one? If so, AccuSport’s VectorX portable launch monitor might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Bag DropBefore long, there’s nothing that exists in the pro shop that you won’t easily be able to take with you on every trip to the driving range. The fine tuning and fitting capabilities of adjustable clubs may have only been the tip of the iceberg, and the new VectorX all-in-one launch monitor from AccuSport definitely takes another step in this direction.

As an avid player, just imagine how much more productive your practice could be if you had instant, accurate readings on all facets of your ball flight on every single shot. While it won’t directly correct your swing, the information presented on every shot is undoubtedly useful in reinforcing your good swings.

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Volume Two Hundred Fifty One

If you want your caddy to have a seat, make the Tour Championship!

Hittin' the LinksHello golf fans and welcome to yet another Hittin’ the Links. Can you feel the excitement? We are just days away from the opening of the 2010 Ryder Cup matches. I don’t know about the rest of you but there is just something special about watching match play golf.

In this edition of HTL we begin with a look at who will be flying commercial to the Ryder Cup, find out how to become a pressure player, and check out an ex-major leaguer who is pretty salter on the links as well. Also, we peruse the Ryder Cup website, investigate why there is no live golf on Saturday, and do a wrap-up of the week’s events. Read on!

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Forget the $10 Million, Who’s Going to Move the Needle?

On Sunday, someone will emerge from the Tour Championship as the FedEx Playoff champ. But, where will he rank on the First Annual Thrash Talk “It” Index?

Thrash TalkI’ve learned a few lessons since taking on the Thrash Talk column at the start of the 2010 season. The one you guys have driven home the hardest is that Steve Stricker’s got a lot of defenders out there. I know because each time I call him boring, Señor Snooze, or drier than white bread, a commenter reminds me that I’m an idiot.

As I started looking at the field for this week’s Tour Championship, I realized that I’ve got a snap judgment of each guy in the field. Are they compelling, engaging, exciting? Do they move the needle? Say their name and is it goosebumps or yawns?

Put it all together and here you have it, the FedExCup Top 30, as they rack up in what I best describe as the “It” Index.

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