What does it take to become a "tester"...

[Tom the Golf Nut 2,175]

47 minutes ago, Tarheelvolvo said:

Since then I only enter my name for something I truly want to test, am passionate about, and know I will be committed to writing a full review of.

I'm with you on this. It has to be something I am interested in and truly want to test. After testing the Sub-70  699 Pro irons you realize how much work you have to put into the test. But I will say it really gets you motivated and focused.  I really enjoyed it and hope to test again someday. If by chance I test again and the item just didn't work for me I would offer it back into the community for someone else to try out. 

[russtopherb 5,787]

MGS, in my opinion, does a great job of choosing their testers. When testers are announced, my usual comment is about looking forward to their reviews because the names listed are ones I recognize because of their great posts. They provide thoughtful comments and threads about golf in general, so I know they'll do the same with their review.

Like others noted, a review opportunity isn't a contest win; it's a chance to provide solid, helpful feedback to the MGS readers, as well as the OEM. If you head back through the testing area of the forum, unfortunately you'll see some threads where some posts are just "Stage 2 Placeholder" or "Stage 3 Placeholder" because the person chosen grabbed the gear and split. That's never a good look. Thankfully I don't think that's happened in the past few years, but it reinforces the mods points about making sure testing feedback will be received. 

A final note - I've been very lucky enough to have been picked in two testing opportunities here. I only toss my name into the hat for products that I have an active interest in AND will work for me. I'll never request to test a hybrid or a set of blades, because what good would my feedback do? I'm not the golfer that those clubs are geared for. Nor will I be applying from now until at least March due to my location. If a spy is genuinely interested in doing a product review or test, my own personal feeling on it is that you should make a point to only apply for what you would actually be able to provide solid feedback on. 

Big thanks to MGS and the mods here for so many very cool opportunities for us readers.

EDIT: One other thing that I personally feel may be important to being chosen for a test - showing that you'll provide honest feedback. I've read reviews on other forums where every tester thought that the club(s) was the most amazing thing they've ever hit. Like... every single tester said the same thing. In a real-world situation, that's not going to happen. Here, there have been plenty of testers that had no problem pointing out their concerns about looks, performance, feel, etc. THAT is what OEMs and readers want to see, not fawning over the club or the company. Like I said - just my own thoughts on that.

[Rickp 20,623]

Excellent replies and I appreciate the feedback. Although I don't post very much, I'm completely engaged in golf.
I'm a full-time airline pilot and travel all over the country. I play golf regularly and also provide my expertise to our local Srixon/Cleveland rep by being a certified fitter. I'm considered by my golfing friends as the most knowledgeable and understanding of the golf swing and they are always asking me to fit them in their next set of clubs. I'm particularly focused on driver shafts and am considered a "shaft hoe" having played most aftermarket Fujikura and graphite design shafts. I follow Russ Ryden at golf shaft reviews and enjoy the technical aspects of his reviews. 
i have attended the PGA show the last couple years and was fortunate to meet the fine people of Uneekor and especially Doug Bybee. I built a complete indoor golf simulator using a Uneekor system and use that regularly all winter long. 
it's a fact that you need to be a frequent contributor to be selected as a tester, but online contributions do not always reflect the realities of the person behind the curtain. I would attest that if I was ever selected to be an online tester, the results and unbiased review I presented would be inline with any of the in-depth reviews posted by the MGS staff. Hopefully, I'll get motivated enough to post enough to meet the threshold. Thanks again for the feedback.
Bottom line, I'm a golf nut. 

I’m sure posting your indoor golf simulator would be a interesting read especially w pictures.
Hope you do, would like to see it.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[xOldBenKenobiX 3,632]

On 10/16/2020 at 11:39 AM, necostanzo said:

I have to admit...I get excited every once in a while I get an email from MGS announcing "Testers wanted". Since I'm an extreme golf club tester having purchased most every single golf club year after year, I keep applying but never get selected. I just read their selection rules and have come to the conclusion that I'll never get selected. I'm not complaining, it's just the reality of their selection process. I'll give you the recent Titleist TSi driver testing selection.

6 golfers selected. Average content (posts) submitted 2464... That's an average of over 2000 posts....I don't think I've ever contributed to any online community in my history of internet surfing more than 100-200 posts...I only contribute when I have something worthwhile to say or something I think everyone will benefit. As for this post, I just want most of the people who enjoy reading and following MGS but who never posts many things to know that you're wasting your time even applying. 

There is nothing random about their selection of Testers:

#1. You must be a frequent contributor

#2. You must not be a twat

Pretty simple, but I wish they would consider making "one random" selection giving people like myself and the majority of the readers of MGS an outside chance of getting to test. They might be surprised that if they make a random selection, that tester might give the most thorough and enlightened review.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy MGS and will continue reading and contributing. 

I have nothing do add that have not yet been mentioned by other members, I just want to welcome you to the forum, I know you have been a member since 2017, but I too, did not post or for that matter participated in the first couple of years after I signed up.

More important than the new clubs and articles, it is the friends we have made here, those will last a lifetime.

 

[xOldBenKenobiX 3,632]

On 10/16/2020 at 1:22 PM, GolfSpy MPR said:

my location in the UP

How is the weather on the UP? I figure your temps are nearing freezing during the day and bellow freezing at night?
We are trying to get some golf around Marquette next summer, if things are normalized.

 

[GolfSpy MPR 9,537]

3 minutes ago, xOldBenKenobiX said:

How is the weather on the UP? I figure your temps are nearing freezing during the day and bellow freezing at night?
We are trying to get some golf around Marquette next summer, if things are normalized.

 

Yes, we've had a couple of small snowfalls already. Lots of snowflakes in the 10-day forecast.

Looking at playing Greywalls? I definitely need to get over there at some point.

[xOldBenKenobiX 3,632]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

Yes, we've had a couple of small snowfalls already. Lots of snowflakes in the 10-day forecast.

Looking at playing Greywalls? I definitely need to get over there at some point.

That is a most definitely one I want to play, as well as playing the NMU course.

My brother is planning to bring his kids to visit from Brazil for a couple of weeks, so if he can, the plan is to spend a couple days on the UP, so the kids can see a different side of what they imagine living on the US, then come back and maybe take them to cedar point for a couple of days, then a few days out west visiting Disney, but of course it is all depending if they can travel over here, specially with how we are going to be with Covid.

[edingc 7,229]

There are so many good replies to this thread, but thought I'd throw in a few comments as well.

We have a ton of really, really great members on this forum. There are a lot of great testing opportunities each year (even this year during COVID), but in reality there are far fewer testing opportunities than deserving members.

As others have said, be active! If you regularly purchase new equipment, throw up an unofficial review in that section of the forums, or contribute to an already existing thread if there is one. Not every piece of equipment or golf gadget is officially tested by the forum, so this is a good way to showcase your review skills. I know the moderators take notice of unofficial reviews.

The "How'd you play?" is one of my personal favorites if you're looking to get involved on the forums. It's nice to read about other people's golf games, and come time for reviews I feel like I understand the golf games of many on this forum because of that thread.

The moderators do a fantastic job picking out reviewers, and they will dole out reviews to newer members if they show an interest in being a part of the greater community. I was selected for the Epic Flash test, which I think was one of the most applied for tests in 2019, only a few months after joining. 

As others have said, these are opportunities to review and not giveaways. Some of the reviews require a lot more commitment than others (the T-100 review earlier this season, #CobraConnect and @Shankster's Blueprints come to mind), so the moderators spend a lot of time picking the ideal candidates. I don't know if there have been any "no show" reviewers since I joined, but I can also say that the reviews can burn you out. 

It does sound like you're on the right track, and I look forward to seeing more post from you in the future. This is really a great place to chat and learn. My game has come a long ways since I joined.

[golfish! 714]

On 10/16/2020 at 9:42 AM, rbsiedsc said:

You’ll get there eventually. I started becoming more active in the forum this year, even posted an unofficial review and then got selected. I feel honored but also scared as s*** since my feedback will be used by others. I am grateful for the opportunity, which is what MGS wants their testers to be. This is a great community and I love how they get everyday golfers of all skill levels to test clubs. 

Be afraid. Be very afraid. You are being watched my friend...