Number Crunching 2013: Melissa Eaton

A victory at the Florida's Natural Charity Classic spurred a big jump in the rankings for the LET's Melissa Eaton in 2013.

Number Crunching 2013: Oliver Wilson

The slide continued for Oliver Wilson in 2013, dropping 475 spots in the rankings.

Westmoreland takes lead at Patriot All-America

Kyle Westmoreland is becoming quite the crowd favorite at the Patriot All-America Invitational. Westmoreland, who plays college golf at Air Force, fired a 1-under 69 to grab the second-round lead at The Wigwam, which is located in Litchfield Park, Ariz., near Luke Air Force Base.

Court sides with Nike against Oakley in McIlroy dispute

Nike received an early Christmas present in its legal dispute with Oakley. On Dec. 18, Judge James Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled in favor of the Beaverton, Ore.-based company. The 11-page decision effectively ended the case against Nike.

Golf Channel Expands to Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio

GOLF CHANNEL ON SIRIUSXM PGA TOUR RADIO to Feature Golf Channel’s News, Instruction and Original Programming Beginning Monday, Jan. 6

ORLANDO, Fla., (Dec. 30, 2013) – Golf Channel, one of the fastest growing networks on television since joining the NBC Sports Group in 2011, is now expanding to radio for the first-time ever in a broadcast agreement with SiriusXM. The announcement was made today by Mike McCarley, Golf Channel President, and Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. Golf Channel programming begins Monday Jan. 6 on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (XM ch. 93, Sirius ch. 208).

GOLF CHANNEL ON SIRIUSXM PGA TOUR RADIO will offer Golf Channel’s high-quality programming across various dayparts, including Golf Channel’s daily flagship morning show, “Morning Drive,” and daily signature news program, “Golf Central;” instruction programs with the nation’s top-rated instructors and legends of the game including “The Golf Fix,” “School of Golf” and “Golf Channel Academy;” and the network’s critically-acclaimed primetime original series, including “Feherty” and “In Play with Jimmy Roberts.”

“Radio is a natural extension as Golf Channel continues to expand,” said Mike McCarley, President of Golf Channel. “Our increasingly loyal viewers are watching in record numbers, so partnering with SiriusXM will not only make Golf Channel’s high-quality programming available to our devoted audience through a new medium, but also introduce SiriusXM listeners to Golf Channel programming through a SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel that is undergoing a transformation with some of the most interesting names in golf as part of its new lineup.”

“Golf Channel showcases an outstanding array of programming and talent, and its yearly growth in viewership is a testament to that quality. SiriusXM is very excited to deliver some of their best content to our nationwide audience,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “We continue to build our SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio channel to offer the very best audio entertainment experience available to anyone and everyone who loves the game of golf, and our collaboration with the Golf Channel is another strong step in that direction.”

Golf Channel’s brand expansion to satellite radio builds upon the network’s tremendous growth since becoming part of the NBC Sports Group in February 2011. Across that timespan, Golf Channel has celebrated its “most-watched years ever” for the past three consecutive years; expanded its footprint to 83 countries worldwide, including significantly expanded distribution in Japan and launched programming in India; unveiled live authenticated streaming via Golf Live Extra and branded NBC Sports’ tournament coverage as “Golf Channel on NBC.”

GOLF CHANNEL ON SIRIUSXM PGA TOUR RADIO will debut Monday, Jan. 6 with a simulcast of “Morning Drive” from 9-11 a.m. ET.

In addition to GOLF CHANNEL ON SIRIUSXM PGA TOUR RADIO, SiriusXM recently announced it has added 2013 FedExCup champion Henrik Stenson, Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter, World Golf Hall of Fame member Ben Crenshaw, and top instructors Hank Haney, David Leadbetter and Jim McLean as hosts on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. Launched in 2005, the channel offers listeners nationwide live play-by-play coverage of PGA TOUR events as well as major championship tournaments, plus live call-in talk shows offering news, analysis, equipment reviews and more.

Paratore, Henderson win Junior Orange Bowl titles

Italy's Renato Paratore and Canada's Brooke Henderson captured titles at the Junior Orange Bowl International Championship on Monday at the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, Fla.

Miller: '[Tiger] needs to get off the schneid at Augusta'

(Getty Images photo)

By John Strege

A new year begets an old topic, Tiger Woods' pursuit of Jack Nicklaus, and it begins, as it always does, with Augusta National and the Masters. The question is whether it ends there, too.

"If he wants to get off the schneid, he needs to get off the schneid at the Masters," NBC's Johnny Miller said during a conference call with reporters on Monday, alluding to Woods' streak without winning a major, now at five years. "What he does at Augusta is really important. If he were to win at Augusta, I'd almost bet you he'd win another major this year. Maybe he'd win two majors. But if he doesn't win at Augusta, I think the odds of him winning another one are not that great. I wouldn't bet against him, but he's just a different player than he was when he was younger

"It's almost a second career he's going after. He's knocking on the door, but the stuff he's doing on the weekend, I'm sure he's very concerned. Even last year he was so great on Thursday and Friday and then on the weekend he's not closing out the deal. He needs to do it in the majors. Like at Olympic [in 2012], he could have won that Open, and in the old days he probably would have won it."

Woods, who turned 38 on Monday, is at 14 majors and holding, four shy of Nicklaus' record, and with each passing year pressure to which he never seemed to succumb ("his choke-factor was off the charts," Miller said) might now be taking a toll.

"In the majors he seems to be a little bit prone to getting nervous," Miller said. "You never would say that about Tiger, but he wants it so badly. He had that desire and dream when he was young, and he looked like he was a shoo-in to get 18, 19, 20 majors, and now after five years, he's like, dang, those are hard to get."

Follow @JohnStrege

Our 12 favourite golf videos of 2013

In no particular order, here are our favourite golf videos featured at Aussie Golfer this year.

Adam Scott at The Masters – every shot
There were plenty of great Adam Scott videos this year. This one shows almost every shot from Adam Scott’s final round – super-cut into one, short (awesome) video. Relive it. Fast.

Ernie Els and the amazing two-putt
This was incredible. You have to see it to believe it.

The best (and the rest) at Aussie Golfer in 2013

It’s been an eventful, memorable year in golf – especially for Australian golf fans. Here is some of the best (and the rest) golf news that grabbed our attention in 2013.

Adam Scott
It will be no surprise to hear our favourite moment of 2013 was Adam Scott’s historic Masters victory. A dream come true for him and for Australian sport fans. His victory made headlines across all Australian media outlets and saw a rise in golf participation across the country.

Chi-Chi Rodriguez hits himself in the leg with his own golf shot: video

As the end of the year approaches, here is one video that is hard to forget.

This little golf fail from Chi-Chi Rodriguez arrived on our desk during the November Australian golf swing and we missed posting it. We make amends today.

The clip comes from The Golf Channel’s Big Break and features Puerto Rican Hall of Famer Chi-Chi Rodriguez  attempting the shattered glass trick shot. The golf ball hits the frame of the glass and ricochets back into his upper leg sending Chi-Chi on the walk of pain.

Crouch takes 1st-round lead at Patriot All-America

Florida Southern's Tim Crouch carded an opening-round 4-under 66 to take an early lead Sunday at the Patriot All-America Invitational.

Could 2014 be the year of driverless golf carts?

By Luke Kerr-Dineen

People might one day look back at 2013 as a seminal year in the
golf-automotive world. Bubba's hovercraft burst onto the scenes in April,
as did that Batmobile golf cart-thing, which in December sold on eBay for
more than $17,000. One criminal even tried to use a golf cart as a getaway
vehicle -- although that one didn't turn out so well.

But it's the brilliant minds over at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for
Research and Technology (SMART), in collaboration with the Future Urban Mobility Interdisciplinary
Research Group (FM IRG), who could have closed the year with an invention
worthy of starting a new one. It's a driverless golf cart, fit with laser
sensors, computers and GPS satellites that together allow the cart to
drive itself.

Related: Mercedes releases high tech golf cart

The idea stems from the car manufacturing industry, where engineers are
testing cars that could one day do all the driving for you. Why? Because
it helps cut down on commuting time and may, in some cases, actually be
safer because computers can't experience emotions like fatigue or anger.

Could self-driving golf carts be a natural successor to driverless cars?
They might. They might even precede them, according to one of the carts
builders James Fu, because right now one of these carts requires a
tolerance between 10 to 50 meters. That's space more suited to a rural
environment -- a golf course, for example -- rather than a city.

Related: My Day With Google Glass

We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, here's what could prove to be
a glimpse into the future:

Follow @lukekerrdineen

My Year In Golf: James Achenbach

Golfweek Senior Writer James Achenbach has seen his fair share of innovation in his career, but says 2013 showed him superior new golf clubs and balls are all around us. They exist to service the dreams and fantasies of golfers young and old.

Number Crunching 2013: Thorbjorn Olesen

An injury-riddled season caused Thorbjorn Olesen to fall more than 150 spots in the rankings in 2013.

My Year in Golf: Bradley S. Klein

From a memorable seat behind the scenes at Merion to some one-on-one time with Donald Trump at Doral, our Bradley S. Klein reflects on his time on the road in 2013.

2014 Preview: Web.com Tour roundtable

What can we expect on the Web.com Tour in 2014? Our Adam Schupak and Brentley Romine take a look at the upcoming season in this roundtable discussion.

Number Crunching 2013: Russell Knox

While splitting time between the PGA and Web.com Tour, Russell Knox made a 165-spot jump in the rankings. He will have full status on the PGA Tour for the 2013-14 season after opening the season with four straight cuts made.

Paratore leads the Junior Orange Bowl; Henderson, Lee tied

Italy’s Renato Paratore leads the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship after back-to-back 67s at the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables, Fla. Brooke Henderson and Sooung Lee are tied in the girls division.

CJGA kicks off World Junior Challenge

Davis Shore shot an opening-round 2-under 69 on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club to lead after the first round of the World Junior Challenge boys 15-19 division. Selena Costabile leads the girls division.

My Year in Golf: Alex Miceli

From the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to the Masters to his month-long trip to the U.K., Golfweek senior writer Alex Miceli remembers his fonest memories of 2013.

Number Crunching 2013: David Howell

David Howell has climbed in the Race to Dubai during the past three years: 103rd (2011) to 62nd (’12) to 21st (’13) -- and gives credit to working with coach Jonathan Wallett.

European roundtable: Rory, Ryder Cup, more

From Rory to the Ryder Cup, European golf has plenty of big storylines around the corner for 2014. Golfweek looks at five big questions that await some of the European Tour's best players and its fans.

My Year in Golf: Lance Ringler

Lance Ringler brings you his top 10 moments of 2013, from Florida to Oregon to Connecticut to California, to watch some of the biggest and brightest stars of the game.

The Shoe Philes – Nike Lunar Clayton

Written By: Tony Covey

“Nike Golf introduces the Nike Lunar Clayton, a shoe that celebrates the heritage and history of the sport of golf while providing athletes with superior comfort, supportive fit and an aesthetic appeal suitable for wear both on-and-off-course.”

I’m not sure how the boss is going to feel about turning MyGolfSpy into MyShoeSpy this week, but he keeps telling me that we’re an equipment site, and so now it’s my job to convince him that what the golf companies keep telling me is true:

“Footwear (golf shoes) is equipment” – Nearly everyone who makes a golf shoe

As I mentioned when I wrote about PUMA Golf’s new Monolite, I’m fully aware that there are plenty of you that get excited – maybe even unnaturally so – about golf shoes (Not that there’s anything wrong with that). And so, given the initial reaction to the pics we posted from Nike’s Innovation Unleashed event, I have no doubt that some of you are going to be downright titillated by the release of Nike’s new for 2014 Lunar Clayton.

If you need some alone time, by all means…

Meet Clayton

In perhaps more politically correct terms, Clayton is Nike’s modern take on the classic wingtip style. In the white model the Lunarlon outsole (I believe the color is Nike’s Venom Green) gives the shoe a bit of a modern twist that’s recently been described as “subtly loud”.

I like loud. I can learn to live with subtle.

More to the point (my point anyway), with its retro good looks, and spikeless design, Clayton brings some serious pimp style to the golf course. I thought I heard “Shaft” playing the first time I slipped them on my feet.

Whether or not that’s what Nike was going for…who knows?

Clayton was inspired by seriously high-end Italian footwear, and well, once Nike gets inspired, some pretty cool things almost always happen. I’ve learned that Nike Golf pretty much lives at the intersection of innovation and inspiration, so it’s not completely surprising that Nike would develop a high-end, handcrafted, spikeless golf shoe. Non-conformity is also sort of a Nike thing.

Nike believes there’s a market for Clayton. Whether or not that proves to be true is more or less up to you.

Deconstructing Clayton

Clayton’s upper is made of waterproof leather. We’ve already mentioned Nike’s Lunarlon (cushioning) outsole. The two are joined by a leather welt (part of that whole classic look thing), which helps to keep everything together (and keep your feet dry). Toss in a new lacing system, a molded rubber outsole, and a premium sock liner, and you’re left with what Nike claims is handcrafted leather shoe that, unlike other high-end leather golf shoes, requires zero break in.

But How Does it Fit?

I’m always a little wary of declaring any golf shoe uncomfortable. My feet are different from yours. If you want to get into specifics, mine are probably shorter and fatter than yours. Depending on the shoe, I’m sometimes better off in a wide (for reference, anything narrower than the adidas adizero, and I need a wide). What fits me well might not fit you, and vice versa.

My samples of the Lunar Clayton are size 9.5. My foot…it’s probably a solid 9 ¼, which means 9.5 is usually right (9.5 is what I wear in every other pair of Nike Golf Shoes I’ve ever owned).

Comparatively speaking, the Clayton’s run a bit longer (closer to a 9 ¾, maybe even 10), and are noticeably narrower than say Nike’s Lunar Control. There’s not a chance in the world I could wear the Lunar Clayton in my standard size 9.5, and that’s a bummer.

I’m waiting to hear back from Nike on the availability of wide sizes, but for now my advice is that fat-footed among you stay away from the standard medium width models.

The good news is that in addition to the 2-year limited waterproof warranty, Nike also offers a 45-day limited comfort warranty. Basically, if you’re not happy with the comfort or cushioning (which is really still just comfort), grab your receipt, bring them back to the authorized retailer you bought them from, and Nike will give you your money back.

Can’t beat that, right?

My Personal Clayton Devastation

Friends, I am a devastated (as a man can be about shoe troubles) that the Lunar Clayton doesn’t fit. This is one seriously boss golf shoe, and its incompatibility with my foot nearly ruined Christmas. I’ll keep you posted on wide-sized availability. If it happens, you can bet I’ll be near first in line to check them out.

Pricing and Availability

The Nike Lunar Clayton (available in White and Black) hits retail Jan. 1, 2014 for a suggested retail price of $249.

Have Your Say

Let’s do another shoe poll. Tell us what you think about the Nike Lunar Clayton.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

More Lunar Clayton

LPGA roundtable: Big 3, Ko, Pinehurst, more

After a memorable 2013 LPGA season, our Beth Ann Baldry and Julie Williams look ahead to a promising 2014 in this roundtable discussion.

Number Crunching 2013: Nicole Smith

Nicole Smith led the LPGA in driving distance, but otherwise struggled during her rookie campaign on the LPGA tour.

My Year in Golf: Julie Williams

Julie Williams takes an outside-the-ropes look at her year, which included stops at the Kraft Nabisco, Walker Cup, Bandon Dunes and an attempt at qualifying for the U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur.

VIDEO: How Arnie saved Christmas

Arnold Palmer picks up his red phone to make only a call that the King can make: To Santa Claus. And the young patients at the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla. are the recipients of a very special visit.

Australia’s Top-100 golf courses: Latest rankings from Golf Australia magazine

Royal Melbourne tops Australia’s best golf course rankings closely followed by the gems at Barnbougle.

Golf Australia magazine has released its biennial list of Australia’s Top-100 golf courses and there are a few surprises at the top.

I was privileged to be a part of the judging panel for this year’s list along with 23 other golf course judges that include Golf Australia magazine readers, editors and golf course experts.

Royal Melbourne West has once again retained its spot as the best Australian golf course but Barnbougle Dunes and Barnbougle Lost Farm have usurped Kingston Heath to take out the second and third positions.