The Ryder Cup. Where patriotism meets patrician sport. The U.S. versus Europe. This means that Northwestern University golf star Luke Donald does not play for us. He plays for them. This weekend The Ryder Cup will be played at beautiful Medinah Golf Club and the world of golf will look to Chicago. I find the Medinah course a little too cinchy. This Friday I will comment on the recreation known as golf on Lin’s Bin.

Today I offer a playlist for those of us who have thrashed the underbrush under the illusion that we are relaxing. You could even take the playlist to The Ryder Cup but I’m afraid you are required to be very very quiet. At least until the chants of U.S.A! begin.

Alice Cooper-I’m Eighteen.  Alice is a well-known hustler on the links. Well, I guess you can’t be both ‘well-known’ and a “hustler.” But he has game. And the song title reminds us, you have to play all eighteen.

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David Bowie- Boys Keep Swinging. Would make knickers look fashionable.

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Thomas Dolby- The Ability to Swing. It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing.

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Loudon Wainwright III-Back Nine.  Golfin’ Blues is a better choice, but I couldn’t find the video.

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Mickey Jones-Double Bogey Blues. In my world, a double bogey smells like victory.

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Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces-Let’s Have A Ball. Ry Cooder on slide guitar is my worship service. I once played in a golf outing where a woman quit after the first hole. When I asked her where she was going, she said, “I lost my ball.” Bring more than one.

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Rolling Stones-Down In The Hole. “It’s in the hole.”

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Black Sabbath-Iron Man. Groove a 3 iron 12 inches from the hole and sing it, “I AM IRON MAN.”

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Wilson Pickett-Don’t Let The Green Grass Fool You. The grass is always greener on the other course.

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The Chordettes-Mr. Sandman. When we are much younger, playing in the sand is fun.

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Parliament-Up For The Down Stroke. Talk about swing thoughts.

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XTC- Greenman. Solve the greens and you have solved one of the mysteries of the universe.

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Captain Beefheart-Golden Birdies. Well, they are.

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Aimee Mann-Par For the Course. A golf metaphor from Aimee? Just another reason to love her.

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Robin Trower-Day Of The Eagle. Not for me.

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Bon Iver- Woods. “I’m up in the woods. I’m down on my mind.” Take a drop and your penalty stroke.

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Robbie Robertson-Go Back To Your Woods. Anyone else having trouble hitting their irons?

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ZZ Top-Woke Up With Wood. Works on at least three levels.

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Jefferson Starship- Ride The Tiger. Are we still talking about golf? You remember Tiger, don’t you?

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