My Golf Spy HQ Visit

[Golfspy_CG2]

So for almost two years now, I've been trying to arrange a trip to or time to stop at MGS HQ in Yorktown.  I get down that way about once a year but so far had not been able to coordinate the time on any of my trips. 

 

Well the stars aligned this week!  I was in Williamsburg for a company annual conference.   It wrapped up on Wednesday night, and before heading home on Thursday, i traded in attending the A-10 Basketball tournament in DC for some time at MGS HQ.

 

Adam had previously told me to just stop in anytime I was there, and CNosil who does the Most Wanted Testing there at least a cople times a week, told me the same, just drop in.

 

So here's a recap (I don't know if it'll  be short or long yet )

 

I walked in and immediately put my foot in my mouth by mistaking Harry for Adam, I have met Adam before, but they both have a similar build, and Adam was wearing the MGS Hat when I met him, as was Harry yesterday and it was from across the facility about 1,000 yards away...Ok in reality maybe 100 feet.   But it only took a few steps and Harry cheerfully greeting me with a Cheers before I relaized my mistake...Off to a great start...ha

 

After explaining to Harry who I was and the purpose of the stop in, actually I wasn't sure of my purpose other than to say hello and see whatever they would liet me see...whcih as it turns out was pretty much anything I wanted to!

 

Harry stopped some work he was doing, and walked me through the entire Most Wanted Testing steps and protocols, they were in the process of finishing up driver testing as well as some putter testings, and had just begun the Standbag testing.     He showed me each of the 27 or so drivers that are being tested, the too many to count putters and probably 15 or so stand bags.    

 

The Drivers were all neatly arranged in staff bags along a wall next to one of the hitting bay.  They have two full sized hitting bays much like you'd find in any major OEM or Club Champion type facility.   Equipped with Foresight GC Quads and so cool MGS Logo'd Bridgetstone balls.  

 

There was a very large putting green with an immaculate service, after all the Most Wanted testing is taking place on it, so it has to be of the highest standards, along the edge were putters all lined up and around the perimeter were all the stand bags being tested.    I asked Harry how they test a bag, and I think the answer is best left for one of them to answer as i don't want to misrepresent it in any way.   But there are so many aspects to a bag they test that I take for granted.   Again this is the Most Wanted Testing, so of course it would be more in-depth than you would even think.

 

Around this time two of the testers came in, one to test four drivers he had yet to test and one to test putters.  I watched each for a bit, they really seemed to enjoy what they were doing, and also took great care to make sure they were following the protocols.     It was really neat to see how one particular driver didn't' work too well for this tester but the other three all did very well.   

 

Sam arrived after a morning appointment and when I introduced myself, he was genuinely pleased to meet me.  Sam is the type of person, you are instantly drawn to after about 30 seconds of talking to him.  He has such a great personality and enthusiasm for both this job and golf.   Both he and Harry played college golf for a nearby university.     You may have read on Twitter today is Sams 2-year anniversary of working there, and he told me the story yesterday  of how it came to be.   Really so simple as Adam reaching out to the coach of the university saying he was looking for someone to test clubs for him, the coach knew Sam was looking for a job, and sent him over.   Sam was wondering if it was part time, for free or if he was going to have to pay...LOL    He was thrilled to come on board.   

 

Both he and Harry told me they felt like they knew a good bit about clubs.  Until they met Adam that was.  Both couldn't say enough about how much they have learned working with Adam and Tony, and their passions are contagious.   

 

Matt (the newest employee, I believe) who is doing a lot of the video and social media posting you have or will see, came in and went straight to work on setting up some elaborate settings for a video he's getting ready to do.   So didn't interrupt him as well...ha

 

So we talked more about everything Sam and Harry do there, and I was quite impressed and a bit envious as I looked and literally saw clubs from wall to wall.  Sam offered me the chance to grab any club I wanted to try out.   I was still feeling the results of 3 straight days of playing in cold weather and the after effects of the awards celebration the night before, and told him I appreciate it but I'm good.  
 

Sam and I talked a lot about the forum, even though he's not very active on here, he''s see's a lot of it.   He told me about a lot of content ideas they have coming up...if even half of what we talked about happens, there are going to be some very cool things coming down the pike for MGS in 2018.   One thing they will be podcasts, a couple of them  dropped this week,  if you haven't listened to either of them give them a go.   This is the link to the one with Tony and GoalieWales about their experience at Tour Striker Golf Academy in December.   it's almost an hour long but it's a great listen and goes quickly.    https://soundcloud.com/mygolfspy/mike-wales-interview

 

Also the Spy vs. Spy with Tony and Adam discussing the Distance "problem" is so good and I PROMISE you, you will learn something from it.  https://soundcloud.com/mygolfspy/mygolfspy-podcast-ep-1-spy-vs-spy

 

So after taking up almost two full hours of their time, I felt I didn't want to be the guest who overstayed his welcome, although may have already occurred.  Sam said he wasn't going to let me leave empty handed, so he and Harry disappeared behind the magic curtain and came back with a handful of MGS Goodness!!  I was very appreciative, and look how cool these are.    The T-Shirts, Balls, patches and stickers are all first class!!   I'll definitely be saving one of these sleeves of balls, but can't wait to put the other sleeve in play and have people ask about the logo.

 

So if you're ever in the Yorktown, VA area, I encourage to reach out to them and drop in.  They will be genuinely happy to see any forum members.  

 

 

 

[cnosil]

Great write up and some great swag; you have more MGS stuff than I do and I am there once or twice a week during the testing. Sam and Harry are great people and it makes going there to test a fun experience.

 

You should have taken the covers off some of the putters on the wall by the putting green. There are some unique one offs and some stuff designed and built by Adam.

[Golfspy_CG2]

Great write up and some great swag; you have more MGS stuff than I do and I am there once or twice a week during the testing. Sam and Harry are great people and it makes going there to test a fun experience.

 

You should have taken the covers off some of the putters on the wall by the putting green. There are some unique one offs and some stuff designed and built by Adam.

Sam showed me one special one that I don't  think I can talk about.   I did take the cover off one  and the shaft immediately came out of it, I was horrified I broke something, then Harry laughed and told me that one had been loose.  

[downlowkey]

I'm so jelly of that swag bag! I'd happily rep MyGolfSpy USA lids, t-shirts, patches...if I could ever get my hands on them.

 

Edit: I think it would be really nice if MGS started offering donors an exclusive purchase opportunity before releasing their limited gear inventory to the general public.

[MGoBlue100]

Very cool write up! Congrats on the swag!!

 

 

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[MaxEntropy]

Thanks for the write-up. I wish I had a reason to be in the area and stop by...

[ole gray]

Great write up buddy! I'm hoping to get up there one day in the not too distant future

 

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

Thanks for the write-up. I wish I had a reason to be in the area and stop by...

Maybe tell the family you're bringing them to Busch Gardens this summer.  It's only about 20 minutes away from there, and while they are at the parks...well you get the idea 

[Golfspy_CG2]

Great write up buddy! I'm hoping to get up there one day in the not too distant future

 

 

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Thanks OG, get the Pick-Up Fired up and point it North!  I'd gladly come down to join you for  around.   Oh that's another thing, they both told me if I'm ever in the area to golf again to let them, know, they love to play golf.    I know for a fact Sam moves it out there over 300 yards, and I'm sure Harry does pretty well himself, being they both played College Golf. 

[McaseyM]

awesome read!! I'd love to get out there sometime. Dig the swag!

[ole gray]

Thanks OG, get the Pick-Up Fired up and point it North! I'd gladly come down to join you for around. Oh that's another thing, they both told me if I'm ever in the area to golf again to let them, know, they love to play golf. I know for a fact Sam moves it out there over 300 yards, and I'm sure Harry does pretty well himself, being they both played College Golf.

Well hell we would get to their drives in two . Yea that would be a fun trip for sure!

 

 

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[TheWahoo]

Thanks for the write-up Carolina.   While it would be a long day, sounds like a day trip for some us Maryland/Virginia guys would be an enjoyable experience. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

Thanks for the write-up Carolina.   While it would be a long day, sounds like a day trip for some us Maryland/Virginia guys would be an enjoyable experience. 

Wahoo, that would be a good day.  Maybe a bit long for a day trip, but not out of the question, certainly would be fun.  Although I think a trip down for some golf,  then a nice dinner at either Mauricio's or Trellis and a overnight stay, would be a great 1 day getaway.  

[cnosil]

Speaking of the Trellis, how was the death by chocolate?

[ole gray]

Wahoo, that would be a good day. Maybe a bit long for a day trip, but not out of the question, certainly would be fun. Although I think a trip down for some golf, then a nice dinner at either Mauricio's or Trellis and a overnight stay, would be a great 1 day getaway.

I would have to fly up and meet you boys somewhere. We could make it an MGS tour plus golf and over night type gathering.

 

 

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[Flipper554]

Nice write-up. Sounds like you really enjoyed yourself.

[PING Apologist #9]

This was a great read, thank-you for the journey, it was truly fascinating. Awesome looking swag too! Everyone including myself is now super jealous!

Cheers!

[AH1980MN]

Oh man- if I'm ever even close to Yorktown again...

[Peaksy68]

I might have to try to fit in a visit on my trip to the US in a couple of years. My wife did a semester at VCU and is thinking about having a look at Richmond/VCU 30 odd years later. I'm subtly encouraging her, so I can get a chance to drop in.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I might have to try to fit in a visit on my trip to the US in a couple of years. My wife did a semester at VCU and is thinking about having a look at Richmond/VCU 30 odd years later. I'm subtly encouraging her, so I can get a chance to drop in.

Absolutely. Maybe a bit over an hour from downtown Richmond, give or take.

 

They encourage any forum visitors. Pretty grest group of guys there who are doing an awesome job.

 

 

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[HardcoreLooper]

And I have client meetings down in Newport News this week. Hmmm...

[HardcoreLooper]

Speaking of the Trellis, how was the death by chocolate?

Now you're taking me back to dinner out before sorority formals. Don't sleep on the white chocolate balloon either.

[Kenny B]

Nice writeup!  Makes me wish that I was still working.  I used to make a lot of trips to DC and Virginia Tech.  Maybe I'll make a trip back east one of these days.

[Golfspy_CG2]

Speaking of the Trellis, how was the death by chocolate?

Incredible as usual

 

 

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[TBT]

Nice write up, I would love to make the pilgrimage to MGS holy land one day.

[BigtazzGolf]

Very cool. One day I'll get there for a visit.

 

 

 

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[StrokerAce]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Next time you'll have to hit some clubs! Just curious...do they ever do any outdoor testing? I understand that they need a controlled environment for accuracy, etc. but maybe they take the top gear outside?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

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[Golfspy_CG2]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Next time you'll have to hit some clubs! Just curious...do they ever do any outdoor testing? I understand that they need a controlled environment for accuracy, etc. but maybe they take the top gear outside?

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

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I didnt ask that specifically. But it wouldn't suprise me. If not for formal testing, but maybe just for fun or informational purposes.

 

Ive alrewdy hit most drivers this year and own two of the new releases. So mostly would have been interested in irons. But they are still in the wings.

 

 

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[kardboard.kid]

Thanks for sharing. I think it would be an awesome place to visit. Kind of the same magic as visiting the North Pole.

 

sent from planet Nebulon

[DawgDaddy]

You are the man Rob, great write up and love your insights.  Thanks for sharing this awesome experience.