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Now that Europe clearly have the ‘upper hand’ in the Ryder cup, it seems everyone is clamouring for a crack at the captains role.

Although Nick Faldo has already been confirmed as captain for the match at Valhalla in Kentucky in 2 years time, the job at Celtic Manor in 2010 is attracting a number of hopefuls. Ian Woosnam had said before the recent match that there was ‘no way’ he would consider doing the job again, yet in the last few days he has been quoted as saying that he "can see circumstances where it may just be possible for me to allow my name to go forward again for consideration."

Sandy Lyle, who was one of Woosie’s assistants this year, has recently put his name forward as a candidate, saying "What looks good timing is 2010 at the Celtic Manor in Wales. That is the one I’d be lobbying for". Lyle may fancy his chances, but there seems to be a growing feeling amongst the media that Colin Montgomerie may be the preferred choice, as it is unlikely he may qualify for the match at the age of 47.

Monty has the pedigree as a player, but I would be very interested to hear what Golfbug’s viewers think of how he would perform as captain, along with Sandy Lyle? Also, who else do we think could emerge as a candidate? Darren Clarke, Jose Maria Olazabal?

The Bug.

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Many of you may not have seen the radical, and some may say extraordinary, new driver designs that will be coming out next year. Both Nike and Callaway are producing a driver head shape that is essentially square in design!

The Science behind this is that this head design increases what is called the MOI which stands for Moment of Inertia. What this means in basic terms is that the new shape resists twisting when a  ball is struck off centre on the clubhead, therefore allowing golfers to hit a more consistently straight shot.

However, many golfers who have tried the new design have commented that it is very difficult, nigh impossible, to shape the ball, making it purely a question of blasting it straight. Whilst this will no doubt please many ‘weekend’ golfers, I am curious to know if viewers feel that this development will take much of the skill out of the game, and if they have seen the pictures of these drivers, would they consider playing one?

The Bug

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Ladies golf in Europe has had a rollercoaster ride over the last 20 years or so, and has never seemed to reach it’s undoubted potential. However, there are real signs that the current management team are making considerable progress.

There is a healthy tournament schedule, professional presentation and critically, a high level of performance.

I have always found the women’s game to be very interesting in the respect that their technique is based much more on timing and tempo, and less on sheer power, and as a result is something that amateurs should study and try to emulate. All but the very best male pros can get close to Tiger’s power, but I am sure that many amateurs are thinking about Tiger’s 300 yard plus drives when they stand on the first tee.

I was lucky enough to play with Isabella Maconi from Italy in the Lifes2Good Pro Am ahead of the Ladies English Open at Chart Hills in Kent last week. It was wet and windy pretty much the whole way round, but Isabella managed to go around in even par, with what seemed like consumate ease. She did finish in the top ten in the tournament come Sunday night, so was clearly playing well, but her swing was all unhurried rythm and timing; it made me feel like a lumberjack wielding an axe!

Check out www.ladieseuropeantour.com and get yourself to a tournament as soon as you can; there is a lot to learn from the womens game.

The Bug

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