2021 Testing Season: what do you want to see?

[GolfSpy MPR]

We'll be starting the 2021 MyGolfSpy Forum testing season soon!

A little peak behind the curtain: I regularly have members ask what gear is on the calendar for the upcoming year. The total truth: we almost never know. The OEMs are really in the driver's seat when it comes to testing. Their priorities have a much greater impact on what we do in testing, and that's as it should be. (As a reminder, that's also why some tests are US only or have other restrictions.) An OEM might make a whole line of products, but they're going to offer for Forum testing the products that they want to create buzz about.

That said, I wanted to start a thread to ask, "What 2021 equipment do you want to see in this year's MGS Forum testing?"

Here are a couple of mine:

• I'm drooling with anticipation over the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten line.
• I want one OEM to do 47-48" drivers. Callaway would be an awesome candidate here, as they have a line of drivers specced for that length.
• AutoFlex shafts? (a guy can dream, right?)

(And this is as good a time as any to offer this reminder: Forum testing isn't a contest. We choose testers who've been active in the Forum and have shown the ability to follow up on a review. Interested in testing? Increase your chances of being chosen by checking out this FAQ post.)

Here's your chance to make your appeal: what current year products would excite you as Forum tests?

[RickyBobby_PR]

Yet to be released titleist irons.

New sim2 drivers and woods

RF33 irons

 

[ejgaudette]

Srixon or Mizuno irons this year would be great to see as some brands that here have credit but lack the larger following. Also really thought the Ping Long game testing was a great set up a while back. Thats a spot in the bag many don't have dialed in like they want, myself included. Finally, who doesn't love a good driver test, right!?!?

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

I’ll selfishly throw some in, especially after I loved testing the Cleveland tour racks last year.

Zx irons ( improved v sole)

driving irons/long game

LAB putters (I can dream)

training aids (divot board, down under board)

clinics/improvement subscriptions  (Monte’s or GG subscriptions, etc)

Sub70 TAIII irons

graphite iron shafts 

cobra drivers

Smoke rdx shafts

[ejgaudette]

2 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

Sub70 TAIII irons

graphite iron shafts 

These are two good ones, I am thinking throw them together in one review opportunity

[edingc]

Obviously, big ticket items are fun to read about. But there are small ticket items I would love to see, also:

• More DTC brands. I think the Sub70 test last year was wildly successful. Would love to see their wedges. But brands like Haywood Golf, Ballistic Golf, Golfworks, etc. 
• Bringing back something like the Ping long game challenge would be cool. That was an amazing opportunity for the testers and a fun read.
• Shaft testing is intriguing, but kind of difficult to execute. We've had some really good efforts with the past ones, though.
• Experiences (though tough to do with COVID). 
• Things like the Groove-It club brush, or the fancy ball markers that supposedly help with alignment.
• Perhaps a series of lessons on Skillest or similar. Give someone a free couple of months to see what they could do with their game. 

I will say, after participating in the #CobraConnect stuff, I think there are opportunities for reviews to expand upon just "this is the club, here's how I did with it." It would be cool to create challenges similar to #CC. Like for a driver test, do a woods and wedges competition. I think it can bring more forum participation and also another side to the review. Obviously, the OEMs would need to be OK with this, and I'm not sure how they'd feel.

[cksurfdude]

This idea might not be practicable, as even getting enough significant measurable data may not be doable, but...

I've been curious at to the actual effect on your putting of different putter grips; eg. varying thicknesses and styles.

I guess in the end it really comes down to just good ole personal preference?

[cksurfdude]

5 minutes ago, edingc said:

the Groove-It club brush

Off topic, sorry, but just bought one thru Practical Golf. Seems like it's gonna be good for my club cleaning OCD

[bens197]

Putters.  

Bettinardi Inovai 7.0

Odyssey 2-Ball 10

[GolfSpy MPR]

2 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

This idea might not be practicable, as even getting enough significant measurable data may not be doable, but...

I've been curious at to the actual effect on your putting of different putter grips; eg. varying thicknesses and styles.

I guess in the end it really comes down to just good ole personal preference?

The Testing Lab did a version of this almost a decade ago: https://mygolfspy.com/mygolfspy-labs-putter-grip-make-more-putts/

More recently, they did a test comparing non-tapered grips to pistol grips: https://mygolfspy.com/study-the-impact-of-pistol-grips-on-putting-performance/

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

6 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said:

The Testing Lab did a version of this almost a decade ago: https://mygolfspy.com/mygolfspy-labs-putter-grip-make-more-putts/

More recently, they did a test comparing non-tapered grips to pistol grips: https://mygolfspy.com/study-the-impact-of-pistol-grips-on-putting-performance/

so i am not crazy that i putt better with my corza ghost than my las vegas. I always wondered if getting a SS slim on my las vegas would help. i really need to get on that

[StrokerAce]

Scotty Cameron putters

Vokey wedges

[juspoole]

A few that I would like to read more on from our group

Srixon Irons - would love to try the ZX5/ZX7 in a combo set!

Taylormade SIM 2 (I've been skeptical of the forgiveness of Taylormade for quite some time after having the M2 in my bag for a year.  Had the worst driving stats by far.)

LAB Putter - so intrigued by this and would love the opportunity.

Yet to be announced Titleist and Mizuno Irons (Believe the MP 20 would be replaced this year.

[russtopherb]

Srixon ZX line (especially the ZX4)

New Cleveland Frontline putters

Wilson/Staff D9 irons. I'd like to see the Launchpads too, but now that they're a year old I don't see that happening.

Callaway B21 irons & driver

Everything Cobra  

Tour Edge Hot Launch & Exotics

[GolfSpy_APH]

All things left handed!

Would love to see the Ping Long Game testing come back, or the same from another company. 

Even though a bit older PXG 0211 series.

Arccos link? And other shot tracking technology. Love my arccos, but have a feeling all my sensors will be dead now. 

TGF testing was cool as well and brought up some interesting products for review.

[revkev]

Gosh,

Certainly the Most Wanted Driver from Callaway, Ping's 425 line of Drivers, something from the value driver group more than likely Tour Edge as we haven't broken into the PXG line yet.

Lot's of new fairway woods out, perhaps Ping would be willing to reprise its long game fitting test with the 425 line (I'm still quite content with my 400's but it would be fun to see that test come around again.)

Any of the new Srixon iron lines.  We haven't had a Mizuno Iron test in a few years, at least that I can recall. so that would be nice, also.  And yes one of the value brands although we had a nice test of Sub 70 irons last year and in some ways the Wilson D7 forged are at a nice price point.

Edison wedges, certainly, we seem to have always had a good relationship with TK so why not - 

 

It's so timely to have this thread start, I logged on today thinking we are at about that time where testing starts up and I'm finally having enough time to consider putting my name in the ring if something appropriate were to come up.

 

Thanks so much for asking for our input.

[null]

Would love to see a company do a utility iron + hybrid test. Each tester gets both clubs in a similar loft and then testing centers around on course performance comparisons 

[Micah T]

Driving/utility irons
Blades & players cavity irons(p7mc/620 CB/blueprint/Mizuno mmc)
Autoflex shafts
Project X LS iron shafts


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[GolfSpy BOS]

Lots of good stuff posted.  I like where @edingc is going with a little competition within the testing too.

-I'd like to see a Srixion iron test with them being praised but still a smaller brand

-Any driver test... because its the Boom Stick!

-Putters because they're so personal and there's so much variety in shape and materials.

-I'd love to see a Planemate review.  I know several members already been doing this and talking about it.  I could see that getting going like Super Speed has.  

-Superspeed C maybe?

 

And of course I'd love to see a #CCC5.  It's a metric ton of work, but it was truly and awesome experience.  Plus I need somewhere to post a significant amount of Meme's and there's not enough trash-talk in the normal threads

 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Piggy back off @edingcwith maybe a few lower scale competitions like CCC. Something not as time requiring but still a fun completion. Maybe a wood set like the Ben hogan test last year (think it was BH) 

A couple putters (bettinardi and Cleveland are on my hot list this year)

I also enjoyed the net thread this year so some more practice equipment maybe?

 

[cnosil]

If we are dreaming here goes:

Aimpoint Express clinic
DECADE foundations class (long term evaluation )
Lowest Score Wins strategy (long term evaluation)
Divot board
Plane mate
Titleist wedge fitting
Adam Young strike plan or accuracy plan
Personal launch monitors

[MattF]

I'm not really fussed but I'd like to see Evnrolls new V series get a run.

[russtopherb]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

If we are dreaming here goes:

Aimpoint Express clinic
DECADE foundations class (long term evaluation )
Lowest Score Wins strategy (long term evaluation)
Divot board
Plane mate
Titleist wedge fitting
Adam Young strike plan or accuracy plan
Personal launch monitors

Like the thinking here when it comes to instruction and improvement plans. You could add Skillest, Sam Goulden/Square to Square or Rebellion Golf to that list as well.

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Just gonna leave this one here....Will more than happily test a SIMULATOR

[GolfSpy BOS]

55 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Just gonna leave this one here....Will more than happily test a SIMULATOR

^ If he gets chosen and does a basement install I’ll do a bonus review too.

[Bucky CC]

I’d like to see the new Stack System as a head to head against SuperSpeed and also if additional gains can be unlocked for those of us who have already done some form of SS.


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[azstu324]

• The Odyssey OG line would be really cool

• I always like to see underdog brands like Wilson, Srixon, Bridgestone, Mizuno, etc, get involved with perhaps clubs they're not the most known for. Especially if they aren't usually on people's radar. I was a part of the Bridgestone wedge and Lynx iron testing over the past couple of years and had a lot of fun and learned a lot in the process about some brands that we don't necessarily get force-fed all the time. 

I know these may not be possible due to the complexities involved but here are a couple test/contests that I think would be fun:

• An iron fitting/swing analysis either with someone's own clubs at a place like Club Champion.. 

OR with an OEM. The OEM could send out a stock set based on a phone fitting or the equivalent of a fitting at a large retailer (PGATSS, Golf Galaxy, etc), and then after a month, they could go back to the OEM, or supporting retailer for the OEM, and get lofts and lies adjusted accordingly. I think too often people just buy the clubs and don't get properly fit into them... then they would spend another month and report the final results. 

• Driver vs Driver vs Driver vs Driver vs Runner Up (Contest)

In this one, there could be 5 contestants. Each gets a driver from the DOTY list to test and compile their own specific data. There can be some quantifiable stats that each will collect as to show how that driver improved (or didn't) their individual game i.e. % of strokes gained, disbursement, yardage gained, etc. Not comparing each person's #'s but the improvements gained. The forum could also vote on a runner up that maybe didn't make it (hm hm.. ping.. hm hm..). This would allow us as forum members to somewhat be part of similar testing done for the DOTY. 

 

Either way, can't wait to see what testing and testers await us on the MGS horizon! 

 

 

 

[00sportsman]

Goodness, have you guys covered all the bases.  I don't have anything new, but...

I'd piggyback on @jlukessuggestion of utility iron vs hybrid

Anything at the top of the bag:  fairways, hybrids, etc.

Small company/DTC irons (there are several suggestions above.)

I'm just looking forward to reading the reviews.  I learn so much from everyone.

 

 

[DPattGolf]

4 hours ago, cnosil said:

If we are dreaming here goes:

Aimpoint Express clinic
DECADE foundations class (long term evaluation )
Lowest Score Wins strategy (long term evaluation)
Divot board
Plane mate
Titleist wedge fitting
Adam Young strike plan or accuracy plan
Personal launch monitors

I have done the Aimpoint Express clinic. Its life changing

[GolfSpy BOS]

Maybe we’re due for another test of the TrueGolfFit system? Once the 2021 driver results are loaded?