In keeping with the idea that the putter is the most personal club in a golfer’s bag, Master Putter Maker Scotty Cameron today introduced his new Custom Shop Creator – a state-of-the-art online putter customizer accessible through ScottyCameron.com.

The Custom Shop Creator (www.scottycameron.com/customshop​) allows golfers to virtually personalize their Scotty Cameron putters like never before, instantly bringing their ideas to life through realistic high-resolution image renderings. Golfers then send their putters to Scotty’s Custom Shop, housed at the Putter Studio in Southern California, where their customizations become a reality.

“I created the Custom Shop to give passionate players a way to preserve, personalize and protect their putters for life,” Cameron said. “The Custom Shop Creator really takes the creative process to another level. From your desktop or mobile device, you can easily experiment with custom stampings, sight lines, different weights and paintfill. You can change the finish from silver to black. It just gives you that feel of a Tour-like experience and creating a one-of-a-kind design.”

All putter models since 2014, plus many of Scotty’s most popular prior models, are available in the new customizer for photo-realistic customization. Owners of older putter models will be seamlessly linked to Scotty Cameron’s Classic Form, where an additional 100 putter models may be customized.

Since 2004, Scotty Cameron has offered personalization, customization, authentication and restoration services in the Custom Shop. From specialty grips, headcovers and authentic accessories to stamps, initials, engraved weights and full restoration of years old, game-worn Scotty Cameron putters, the Custom Shop has provided golfers with a resource to not only customize an already-purchased putter, but to also authenticate and refurbish these valuable clubs.

The new Custom Shop Creator introduces several new features:

• Realistic renderings display vibrant representations of custom stamps, initials, sight lines, weights, finishes and more – including accurate depictions of Scotty’s translucent and opaque paintfill colors – all in real-time as a user moves through the application.

• Responsive design adapts to mobile and desktop devices providing users the flexibility to enter a Custom Shop order from anywhere.

• Seamless workflow presents customization choices in an improved sequence more aligned with the way a customer would logically move through the process.

• Quick links to popular models allow users to easily search and choose from existing putter types to move immediately into the customization process.

• Save customizations feature – provides users with the option to create their custom putter at their own pace, saving within the application to finish later.

• New Custom Shop-only accessories – added to the Custom Shop include new stamps, as well as 12 new headcovers, shaft bands, 15 new paint-filled shaft rings and new grips.

Learn more at www.scottycameron.com/scottys-custom-shop

Assistant captains Mike Weir and Tiger Woods relive their memorable match in the 2007 Presidents Cup and take part in a trivia battle on who knows their team best.

Watch the clip from PGA TOUR below:

PGA TOUR golfer Louis Oosthuizen carded a 1-under-par 70 on Sunday to finish T2 at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C.

While champion Justin Thomas was celebrating in usual fashion, Oosthuizen took the more comedic approach to acknowledge his “Grand Slam” of runner-up finishes at all four PGA TOUR major tournaments by lip syncing “Rise Up” by Andra Day.

Just finished my career grand slam second's .. "I'll rise up" pic.twitter.com/083aRityWn

— Louis Oosthuizen (@Louis57TM) August 14, 2017

FJ is giving a radical upgrade to the iconic Contour Series line of golf shoes. Recognized as the best selling shoe franchise of all time, Contour was created with the singular focus on comfort, and that dedication continues with the latest innovation, ContourFIT.

Building on the successful heritage of the Contour Series franchise, FJ re-imagined the entire category from a blank sheet of paper. From the last to the laces, ContourFIT was born from an obsession with comfort so the golfer could experience Comfort That Never Quits.

New ContourFIT TV commercials introduce you to one player who just “never quits playing” now that he has his new ContourFIT golf shoes. You also hear from some of the people in his life and how they feel about this constant playing, including his priest and several people from his home course.

Loyal Contour customers will still experience the same consistent fit and reliability they expect from the Contour franchise, greatly enhanced by significant and noticeable upgrades from top to bottom that result in a lighter, more flexible and more comfortable shoe.

Starting from the ground, the new DynaFlex outsole – engineered with TPU- has been designed to flex naturally with the foot. Each flex groove is strategically placed to provide maximum flexibility and mobility.

Next is the FTF 3.0 midsole – our softest and lightest midsole compound – for underfoot comfort and cushioning while still ensuring the golfer has appropriate lateral support and stability.

Cradling the foot is a newly designed FitBed that is thick, soft and breathable to ensure all day comfort.

The top of the shoe features a new U-throat design to give the player a more generous fit and a new integrated Achilles heel pad that delivers support and comfort while also working with the connected comfort tongue to lock the foot into the shoe for a precise fit.

Finally, the entire package is wrapped in a contemporary take on a ‘contourian’ upper design utilizing soft, full grain waterproof leather in the vamp and performance synthetic material in the saddle and quarter that FJ warrants will be 100% waterproof in normal use for two years.

As with all FJ shoes, the customer should expect out-of-the-box comfort with ContourFIT. When properly fit, FJ shoes should never require a “break-in” period and should be enjoyed from the first wear to the last.

“With a very successful category like Contour, the tendency is to implement minor enhancements over the life of the product, but that’s not something we subscribe to at FootJoy,” said Doug Robinson. “From the moment a product is created, we start looking for ways to enhance absolutely every detail – from the overall design and materials, to every stitch and groove, to the laces and cleats.”

“ContourFIT, while inspired by the Contour Series family of shoes, is dramatically improved over the prior generations and we believe will excite not only the lifetime Contour wearer, but also any comfort-seeker who tries it on for the first time.”

Yesterday, Jordan Spieth’s first-ever signature Under Armour golf shoe, the Spieth One, made its global retail debut.

“I couldn’t be more excited to officially unveil my first signature shoe, the Spieth One, with Under Armour,” said Spieth, as he unveiled the shoe last month prior to embarking on a global tour which started in Tokyo and included stops in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Mexico City.  “I worked closely with the Under Armour footwear team to design an innovative shoe that is grounded in the details of my game.”

The Spieth One is being introduced as engineered “Down to a Science;” a nod to the concentrated level of detail by which the shoe was designed and mirrors Jordan’s precise approach to his game on the course. Jordan worked in close collaboration with Under Armour to meticulously craft this clean, bold and innovative shoe that features a number of technical design elements that were dictated by Jordan and his game.

The Spieth One has a breathable, waterproof upper to ensure performance even in the toughest golfing conditions—preventing water from entering the shoe, but allowing perspiration to escape. It also features groundbreaking Rotational Resistance Traction, which prevents the rotation of the foot during the swing from load up to impact.

The upper of the Spieth One is composed with a single seam, reducing layers and weight while enhancing the overall fit and feel. The outsole has a softer forefoot for flexibility, paired with a firm heel for stability and support.

These precise specifications are depicted in the Under Armour brand’s new golf campaign entitled “Down to a Science.”

The shoes are available at SportCheck, online at www.ua.ca and at many pro shops across Canada starting at $239.99 CDN.

Incredibly proud to help build the #SpiethOne alongside @UnderArmour & @UAGolf. Get yours here: https://t.co/em6VIuR3yn #IWILL pic.twitter.com/BdA8v9TYdO

— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) March 1, 2017

Acushnet is billing their new Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls as their most advanced, best performing golf balls ever stamped with the Titleist script.

Precisely engineered using the most sophisticated golf ball technology, the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x provide performance for every player and promise to deliver unmatched quality and consistency.

The uber-popular choice of players at every level of competitive golf and best-selling models around the world, Pro V1 and Pro V1x continually set the standard for golf ball performance through relentless research and development innovation and an industry-leading manufacturing process. Advancements for 2017 include new core and aerodynamic designs.

The longest Pro V1 ever, 2017 Pro V1 has been re-engineered with a Next Generation 2.0 ZG Process Core that delivers longer distance on all shots through lower long game spin and faster ball speed, while maintaining the very soft feel and superior short-game performance that Pro V1 players demand. A new spherically tiled 352 tetrahedral dimple design produces a penetrating trajectory with even more consistent flight.

The extraordinary distance of the 2017 Pro V1x, featuring a ZG Process Dual Core, is enhanced by a new spherically tiled 328 tetrahedral dimple design that produces a high trajectory with its most consistent flight ever.

The 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x continue to deliver superior short game scoring performance. The soft Urethane Elastomer cover system used on both models is precisely formulated to deliver Drop-and-Stop greenside control with soft feel, providing golfers with the performance and confidence to hit it closer to the hole. The soft Urethane Elastomer cover, created by a chemical reaction that takes place during the casting process, also provides long-lasting durability throughout the course of play.

Choosing between the total performance of Pro V1 and Pro V1x, golfers will notice differences in flight, feel and spin. Pro V1 flies lower with a penetrating trajectory and feels softer. Pro V1x flies higher, has a slightly firmer feel, and spins more on iron shots.

Every Pro V1 and Pro V1x is manufactured by Titleist associates in the company’s state-of-the-art golf ball manufacturing facilities, to the highest performance and quality specifications in the industry. This investment in quality control ensures the most consistent performance from ball to ball, and dozen to dozen. This is critical to allowing golfers to consistently execute the same types of shots, round after round.

“Every time we set out to develop new Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, our challenge is to set an even higher benchmark for golf ball performance,” said Michael Mahoney, Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball Marketing. “We are constantly in the field talking to golfers of all skill levels about what we can do to help them shoot lower scores. At the same time, the Titleist Golf Ball R&D and Operations teams are working together to develop new golf ball technologies that deliver performance golfers may not yet realize they need. It’s because of this ownership and commitment at every step of the process that we’re able to deliver meaningful performance improvements and make the best golf balls in the game even better.”

“No matter their playing ability, golfers have a simple choice when it comes to choosing the best golf ball for their game,” said Bill Morgan, Senior Vice President, Titleist Golf Ball R&D. “Either Pro V1 or Pro V1x will give you the best opportunity to shoot your lowest score. The decision purely comes down to flight, feel and spin. As we’ve told the pros, while you may consider yourself a ‘V’ or an ‘X’ player, we think this is a great time for you to reevaluate both Pro V1 and Pro V1x to see which 2017 model is the best fit for your game.”

New Pro V1 and Pro V1x have achieved immediate validation and success across the worldwide professional tours. Jordan Spieth, playing new Pro V1x for the first time in competition, won the Australian Open in mid-November. Two weeks later, Brandon Stone played new Pro V1 in his victory at the European Tour’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.

In total, more than 100 players worldwide have put the new models in play – including Adam Scott (Pro V1), Jimmy Walker (Pro V1x), Kevin Kisner (Pro V1), Webb Simpson (Pro V1), Charley Hoffmann (Pro V1), Ian Poulter (Pro V1x) and Thongchai Jaidee (Pro V1x) ­– since the tour seeding and validation process began on the PGA Tour in late October.

The aerodynamic improvements of Pro V1 and Pro V1x result in a more consistent trajectory.

New dimple designs on both 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x feature improved dimple placement and produce even more consistent surfaces.

During the manufacturing process, mold cavities are used to the form the Urethane Elastomer cover and dimple pattern on each ball. Tens of thousands of mold cavities are needed to supply the Pro V1 and Pro V1x urethane casting lines. In order to achieve ball-to-ball consistency, it is crucial that every mold cavity produces the same result. To guarantee this level of precision, the Operations team has always manufactured the cavities and the tooling used to make the cavities (called “hobs”) in-house. An investment in new equipment to make the master hobs provides even tighter tolerances.

These advancements in both dimple design and hob production combine to produce new Pro V1 and Pro V1x models that deliver a more aerodynamically consistent flight.

“If a golfer hits a number of golf balls, they will fly through a ‘window’ in the air. What we’ve done with 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x is make that window smaller, which is the result of a more consistent flight,” Morgan said. “We go to great lengths to ensure that Pro V1 and Pro V1x are precision equipment. We know golfers depend on that consistency on every shot in their round.”

The new 2017 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls are now in golf shops and by all golf retailers across Canada.

FootJoy has launched a unique combination of materials and manufacturing excellence, with the all-new Contour FLX golf gloves.  Featuring a full CabrettaSof Palm for soft feel and breathable FiberSof material with PowerNet mesh for a flexible fit;  the ContourFLX offers a performance combination set to make a lasting first impression with both male and female golfers.

Bringing together the finest attributes of FJ’s innovative engineering process, the ContourFLX has been designed to deliver feel where it matters most, in the fingers and palm along with a flexible fit on the back of the hand.  The precise placement of materials, with finer elastics, as well as an angled tab closure allows for an optimum, contoured fit.

“Our heritage as the #1 Glove in Golf, inspires us to continually deliver ground-breaking new products, with the ultimate goal of helping golfers optimize feel, durability and play their best,” commented Maria Bonzagni, Senior Director of Golf Gloves and FJ Gear. “The FJ Contour FLX has fused some key attributes in our glove manufacturing to provide soft feel, great fit and excellent durability, at a price-point which will be accessible to every golfer,” continued Bonzagni.

“Launching in concert with the latest shoe from FJ, ContourFIT, which delivers Comfort That Never Quits, we’re really excited to put the new ContourFLX into the hands of golfers and seeing their first impressions of the overall comfort, feel and performance.”

This launch has been marked by an innovative campaign documenting the first impressions of golfers, as they put the glove on for the first time.  Under the hashtag #FJFirstImpressions, the FJ team is showcasing the impact the glove is making on wearers and the initial reaction.

“We’ve had a great time showcasing the ContourFLX to our trade partners, and hearing their first impressions has been a great validation process for us,” added Bonzagni.  “We want to take that forward, and hear golfers first reaction in actual golfing situations of the new ContourFLX.”

Nike Golf has signed world No. 1 Jason Day to a multi-year contract. The agreement covers footwear, apparel, headwear and gloves. Day will first wear Nike this week at the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii.

“Joining Nike is a dream come true,” Day said. “The brand is synonymous with the world’s best athletes. I’m honored and can’t wait to be part of the team and working closely with Nike to take my game, and the sport of golf, to even higher levels.”

The partnership comes on the heels of back to back stellar years for Day. The 28-year-old Australian closed 2015 with four wins in his final seven starts, including his first major title with a record-breaking 20-under-par performance at the PGA Championship. That momentum carried over into 2016, with Day notching three wins — including coveted titles at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the WGC-Dell Match Play and THE PLAYERS Championship.

Since turning pro in 2006, Day has secured ten PGA Tour titles – including the RBC Canadian Open – and 57 top-ten finishes.

When he’s not on the course, Day enjoys spending time at home with his family in Ohio, where he and his wife Ellie have established the Brighter Days Foundation which benefits local charities.

The votes (or in this case pageviews) are in and I’ve tabulated the 18 most read articles/blogs on golfcanada.ca during the 2016 calendar year.

Please keep in mind that this list is not indicative of the stories’ importance to Canadian golf. Some articles/blogs have been more prominently featured via email, social media or Golf Canada’s other communication channels. Articles published earlier in the year  have also had additional time to be read or found online via search tools such as Google.

So, without further adieu, here’s our top 18 of 2016. And, feel free to click on any of the titles to check out the article.

#18) Buried treasure: The lucky loonie in Rio

#17) Scott Simmons steps down as CEO of Golf Canada

Scott Simmons (Golf Canada Archives)

#16) Lorie Kane, Warren Sye and Bob Weeks named for induction into Canadian Golf Hall of Fame

Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Archives

#15) Henderson beats Ko to win Women’s PGA Championship in playoff

Brooke Henderson (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

 #14) Canadian rookie Mackenzie Hughes wins Sea Island playoff

Mackenzie Hughes (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

 #13) Golf Canada announces 2016 championship schedule

#12) Day and Johnson headline final field for 2016 RBC Canadian Open

Jason Day (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

#11) Canada’s golfers ready for chance to defend Olympic title after 112-year wait

Graham DeLaet, Alena Sharp, David Hearn (Bernard Brault/ Golf Canada)

#10) Is golf really too expensive?

Golf Canada Archives

#9) The Rules of Golf go online

Diane Barabé (Jason Scourse/ Golf Canada)

#8) Solo play: a global perspective

(Claus Anderson/ Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada)

 #7) Golf Canada announces 2017 Team Canada

Golf Canada Archives

#6) Playing golf can add five years to your life expectancy

(Golf Canada Archives)

 #5) Final field announced for 2016 CP Women’s Open

Lydia Ko (Chuck Russell/ Golf Canada)

#4) Golf Canada and Hudson’s Bay unveil golf uniform for Rio 2016

(Brent Long/ Golf Canada)

#3) Jhonattan Vegas rallies to win RBC Canadian Open

Jhonattan Vegas (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

#2) Canadian golf mourns the loss of Dawn Coe-Jones

Drum roll please…

#1) Changes to Golf Canada’s Handicap System for 2016 released

(Chuck Russell/ Golf Canada)

Thanks to everyone who visited our site in 2016. Also, a huge thank you to all the writers and photographers who contributed to the site. Keep an eye our for bigger and better things in 2017.

– Terry Lenyk

Questions, comments? Find me on Twitter at @terrylenyk.

One tournament into his return was all Tiger Woods needed to strike a deal with Bridgestone to play its golf ball.

Bridgestone Golf said Thursday it has signed Woods to a multi-year agreement in which he will play and promote the golf ball. Woods effectively became a free agent for equipment deals when Nike decided to stop making clubs and golf balls and instead focus on apparel.

Bridgestone becomes the first new equipment company that Woods has endorsed since he turned pro 20 years ago. He signed with Titleist (equipment) and Nike (footwear and clothing) in 1996, and his switch to all Nike equipment began with its golf ball in May 2000.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Woods had not played in 15 months while recovering from back surgeries, though he still draws more attention and spikes media ratings more than any other player.

Woods had been testing equipment the last few months after Nike said it was getting out of the hard goods golf business. He used the Bridgestone ball at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, and said the golf ball was the critical component of any equipment change.

Woods tied for 15th against an 18-man field in the Bahamas, though he was hitting a greater variety of shots than when he had last played on the PGA Tour.

The 14-time major champion tends to play a golf ball that spins more than most, and Woods said the Bridgestone B333-S was “hands-down the best for my game.”

“The ball is reacting identical with how I want to play,” he said in a release announcing the deal. “For me, that’s fun.”

As part of the deal, Woods will be considered a Bridgestone ambassador and be featured in all advertising.

Woods also was using a TaylorMade driver and fairway metal in the Bahamas, and he said he put his old Scotty Cameron putter back in the bag right after Nike announced it was out of the club business. He was still using the Nike irons and said in the Bahamas he planned more testing after the tournament.

He has not announced his schedule for next year except for the Feb. 16-19 Genesis Open at Riviera, where he hasn’t been since 2006. His foundation now runs the tournament.

By choosing a new golf ball, Woods went a different direction from two of Nike’s highest-ranked players. Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka said they have asked Nike to set aside as many golf balls as possible.

“I have about two to three years’ worth,” Koepka said in the Bahamas.

McIlroy, who plans extensive equipment testing in Dubai at the end of the month, said changing golf balls would be the most difficult adjustment.

“I need something that works, and right now the Nike golf ball works … with everything in my bag, which is perfect,” McIlroy said in late October.

Woods took the first step with the Bridgestone golf ball. He joins a group of players that include Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and Fred Couples