Major OEM absence from testing???

[ejgaudette]

12 minutes ago, russtopherb said:

I want to be very clear about something - for a lot of us it's NOT ABOUT GETTING FREE STUFF.

It's about reading honest feedback from average golfers that look like us. We're here because we want feedback and input on equipment from golfers who's games match ours, not a single digit cap that reviews SGI clubs all day long on YouTube.

HQ seems to have forgotten that aspect of testing and reviews. Maybe, as another poster mentioned, it's viewed as giveaways because that's how HQ constantly promotes them with their inane social media posts. 

I would echo this that while getting to test and keep a club was great I was more hoping to provide some information as a someone who can slice it off the planet and hopefully is a bit closer to the average golfer. I want to get that feedback regardless of if I get to test and keep the club, heck send me a demo, like many Youtube channels get,  that I need to send back for all I care.

I see the member reviews fill the context to MSG testing. The Most Wanted testing is the no emotion hard and pure statistical test of performance off a mat indoors and then the member testing is our chance to get in the weeds a bit more, sure some numbers, but the more subjective on course feedback. How did that wedge work out of the bunker? How were the irons from the rough? How did that driver do in the wind? All questions Most Wanted does not answer but member testing can.

So do we need to test all the clubs, no but a good collection of them. Then the Most Wanted testing could simply link to the forums for those interested in hearing more about these clubs from real golfers. I just think that will drive more to the forum which will bring even more value to both the forums and the main site. I just don't understand why this is not seen as a real opportunity by HQ and instead is OK with testing just fading out.

I will stay because of the connections I made, but I would not have found the forum without testing and I know I am not alone. MSG is an equipment-centric golf site, kinda hard to believe they would want the forum to be devoid of equipment testing and experience. That feels like a disconnect. Sorry to ramble and I know all the MODs are doing the best they can and all this comes from HQ.

[Hobert]

5 minutes ago, ejgaudette said:

I will stay because of the connections I made, but I would not have found the forum without testing and I know I am not alone. MSG is an equipment-centric golf site, kinda hard to believe they would want the forum to be devoid of equipment testing and experience. That feels like a disconnect. Sorry to ramble and I know all the MODs are doing the best they can and all this comes from HQ.

I will continue to participate in the forum as well as I really enjoy the folks on here and learn a lot. But I also did stumble across the MGS forum while doing research and the reviews/review opportunities were part of the reason that I initially engaged.

[tony@CIC]

On 6/27/2022 at 12:08 PM, fozcycle said:

Is your fiance's maiden name Cobra, Ping or Titleist?....LOL

Or maybe first born? 

[ejgaudette]

Not to stir the pot too much for one day, but are we going to see more tests like this and does HQ feel this testing would be in conflict with forum member testing?

https://mygolfspy.com/ping-chipr-is-it-worth-a-spot-in-your-bag/

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, russtopherb said:

I want to be very clear about something - for a lot of us it's NOT ABOUT GETTING FREE STUFF.

It's about reading honest feedback from average golfers that look like us. We're here because we want feedback and input on equipment from golfers who's games match ours, not a single digit cap that reviews SGI clubs all day long on YouTube.

HQ seems to have forgotten that aspect of testing and reviews. Maybe, as another poster mentioned, it's viewed as giveaways because that's how HQ constantly promotes them with their inane social media posts. 

Testing will slowly start to increase again. It may take some time, but eventually I anticipate seeing more opportunities. In the meantime as you said its about reading feedback from average golfers. There is nothing stopping us from doing our own reviews on the equipment we purchase or buy. I'll be doing a full review on the 659 TC's. I would love to see more "unofficial reviews" or member owned reviews. We have the templates out there for anyone to use or anyone can just make their own. Even if you go to a shop and test out club X or Y why not write about it and do that. We have a "What have you Tested Lately" thread that can be a great source for quick hit reviews such as that. 

I don't think anyone is disagreeing that testing is kinda like the gateway drug into mgs forum. It brings a lot of eyes to the forum and a decent amount of members. I can echo what many will say in that they came for testing and stayed for the community. This is a common theme among many. However when I came I think it was in the 15 range per season. That is likely what I would come to expect for future years. 

As for SM posts and that, well I can't really speak to that. I don't see any of those before they come out, I don't involve myself too much on various platforms however it is seemingly the way the SM world works. Impressions, likes, retweets and all of that are of high value with the way todays world works and I can only guess that may play a part? 

I also believe that part of this feeling a lot of us have is due to the shock from going from 30 or so opportunities to 10 this season. I think had it been in the 20 range, not a whole lot would be made of it. There is still time for more and with items like training aids and so on which can be still done in offseason testing.

As I said to another member we have such a great community here and I know testing was/is a big part of what the forum started to become known for. However there are so many other great things for us to talk about, discuss and take part in that we can still work on growing the community outside of testing for at least the short term. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

11 minutes ago, ejgaudette said:

Not to stir the pot too much for one day, but are we going to see more tests like this and does HQ feel this testing would be in conflict with forum member testing?

https://mygolfspy.com/ping-chipr-is-it-worth-a-spot-in-your-bag/

Good question and one I don't have the answer to, however it could be more of a OEM thing where they only had one demo to use or something along those lines. It has been several seasons since Ping had a test for the forum so that could play a part in they aren't looking to do that type of test or it just happened to be a smaller test where as I said HQ had one and went and ran with it for a separate article. 

[ejgaudette]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Good question and one I don't have the answer to, however it could be more of a OEM thing where they only had one demo to use or something along those lines. It has been several seasons since Ping had a test for the forum so that could play a part in they aren't looking to do that type of test or it just happened to be a smaller test where as I said HQ had one and went and ran with it for a separate article. 

I get that HQ would want to write articles like these for sure just feels like a mini-member test is all which I found interesting

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 minutes ago, ejgaudette said:

I get that HQ would want to write articles like these for sure just feels like a mini-member test is all which I found interesting

Could have just been with the most wanted crew? Really don't know to be honest.

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

52 minutes ago, ejgaudette said:

Then the Most Wanted testing could simply link to the forums for those interested in hearing more about these clubs from real golfers. I just think that will drive more to the forum which will bring even more value to both the forums and the main site. I just don't understand why this is not seen as a real opportunity by HQ and instead is OK with testing just fading out.

This right here, I would love to see more links to the forum from HQ articles. This would certainly drive more traffic to the forum which I think would also help retain traffic on HQ articles.

HQ puts out articles that have a limited amount of interaction, if more traffic was directed from HQ then we would most likely see more "Hi, long term lurker and this is my first post" posts. Thus adding to the community here.

9 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I also want to say I understand that testing traditionally is what drives a lot of people to the forum, but that just means we need to find other ways of getting people to the forum and to stay of the forum.

Maybe my above point could be something brought up to the next conversation with HQ?

Edited August 30, 2022 by MyWifesSwingCoach
Added comment/suggestion

[ejgaudette]

13 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Could have just been with the most wanted crew? Really don't know to be honest.

No I agree likely from the Most Wanted testers, just felt like more of a real life test which is what forum testing is more of, just noting the overlap.

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, ejgaudette said:

Not to stir the pot too much for one day, but are we going to see more tests like this and does HQ feel this testing would be in conflict with forum member testing?

https://mygolfspy.com/ping-chipr-is-it-worth-a-spot-in-your-bag/

 

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Could have just been with the most wanted crew? Really don't know to be honest.

I’ll add a little here since I have a small amount of insight since I am one of the most wanted testers and did the ChipR test.  
 

MGS has for the past year or so has done what they call labs.  They are data driven tests that are smaller than most wanted and typically completed in a short time.   ChipR was a day, they did the groove tool which took a little longer, Edel irons, they have done tee height, tees themselves, gloves on vs off  and other assorted things. These are data driven tests and not like forum testing where we get longer term more subjective feedback.  They have a whole list of these experiments to see if there is merit to the claims or anything else that might be interesting. 

[MaxEntropy]

3 hours ago, MyWifesSwingCoach said:

This right here, I would love to see more links to the forum from HQ articles. This would certainly drive more traffic to the forum which I think would also help retain traffic on HQ articles.

The only time I can really recall this happening was with the SuperSpeed test from 2020 - there were 9 of us involved, including Jamie. In early 2021, Chris wrote an article the directly relayed some of our experiences.

I agree it would be cool, when it's applicable, for HQ to tie in both their testing and ours.

[Peaksy68]

I do find it interesting that HQ doesn’t want the Forum to be about giveaways (although reviews are far from that IMHO) when the first thing you get when going on the main site is this

 

Perhaps if a portion of these regular giveaways were used for actual reviews it would add value to both the main site and the forum. If the OEMs are providing the giveaways, surely they shouldn’t be worried about a review. If they are worried about reviews should MGS be promoting them, especially as they are the self declared “Truth Digest”

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 hours ago, Peaksy68 said:

I do find it interesting that HQ doesn’t want the Forum to be about giveaways (although reviews are far from that IMHO) when the first thing you get when going on the main site is this

 

Perhaps if a portion of these regular giveaways were used for actual reviews it would add value to both the main site and the forum. If the OEMs are providing the giveaways, surely they shouldn’t be worried about a review. If they are worried about reviews should MGS be promoting them, especially as they are the self declared “Truth Digest”

I think we all know that is used as a marketing tool for the main site which is completely separate from the forum and forum testing. Again we don't know what the OEM's side is. It could be this is their preferred method for these certain products or a whole host of other reasons. 

As I said before for reviews on products there is nothing stopping us as a community from doing our own tests on equipment we try, purchase or anything else so we still have those reviews to read. There is no reason for the only testing or reviews to only be provided by forum/hq testing opportunities. We have had some really good opportunities so far with Stuart, LAB and many others. Yes, it is down this year from previous years I've already detailed why and what we look to accomplish moving forward as a community. 

I love the reviews everyone does and hope that more take the time to write up their own on whatever equipment they buy. Would be great to see. I can't speak to the marketing side for HQ because it is not something I'm involved in. My focus is the forum, the members and the overall community which for me is something truly special and unlike anywhere else online. I would love the narrative/discussion to shift to that vs the things we clearly have no control over and kinda bring down forum moral as a whole. 

I understand frustration, but I also try to concern myself with the things I can control and take part in. The sign up giveaways on the main site isn't one of those. 

[Peaksy68]

@GolfSpy_APH Sorry that you think I'm bringing down morale. I think the management of the forum by HQ and some of the former staff has done a lot more damage to morale than commenting on the bizarre dichotomy between what HQ does and what we're being told.

Probably time I take a break.

[MattF]

18 hours ago, cnosil said:

 

I’ll add a little here since I have a small amount of insight since I am one of the most wanted testers and did the ChipR test.  
 

MGS has for the past year or so has done what they call labs.  They are data driven tests that are smaller than most wanted and typically completed in a short time.   ChipR was a day, they did the groove tool which took a little longer, Edel irons, they have done tee height, tees themselves, gloves on vs off  and other assorted things. These are data driven tests and not like forum testing where we get longer term more subjective feedback.  They have a whole list of these experiments to see if there is merit to the claims or anything else that might be interesting. 

That "test" was the biggest steaming pile of  that they have done. So skewed to wearing a glove and when called out on it over several SM platforms, they don't even have the intestinal fortitude to respond.

[Headhammer]

22 hours ago, MaxEntropy said:

Agreed - some of the reviews here have helped make my decisions easier. I enjoy Pete Pappas on twitter, but everything he touches is  and , so I have no clue if anything he has reviewed may actually work for me.

OMG I wish I could like this 100 times!! There has never been a club put in Pete Pappas' hand that wasn't better than the previous year's model! 

[Headhammer]

23 hours ago, russtopherb said:

I want to be very clear about something - for a lot of us it's NOT ABOUT GETTING FREE STUFF.

It's about reading honest feedback from average golfers that look like us. We're here because we want feedback and input on equipment from golfers who's games match ours, not a single digit cap that reviews SGI clubs all day long on YouTube.

HQ seems to have forgotten that aspect of testing and reviews. Maybe, as another poster mentioned, it's viewed as giveaways because that's how HQ constantly promotes them with their inane social media posts. 

I think this is an important point that gets lost in the shuffle. There are so many biased overstated sources for golf reviews, including the OEM's own advertising. Seeing the results from average golfers use these products and the ability to ask questions about how the product performed under normal conditions are the most important purchase decisions for me. I bought the Rapsodo launch monitor after reading the testing reviews here and asking numerous questions of the testers! IMHO, these are points that HQ should be selling to OEMs as important attributes to increasing sales. 

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

20 hours ago, MaxEntropy said:

The only time I can really recall this happening was with the SuperSpeed test from 2020 - there were 9 of us involved, including Jamie. In early 2021, Chris wrote an article the directly relayed some of our experiences.

I agree it would be cool, when it's applicable, for HQ to tie in both their testing and ours.

This could expand from more than just equipment/accessory etc. testing though. Even a simple note in the articles along the lines of "If you would like to discuss this article and more, join us in the forum (Link) etc." Would drive more traffic here.

I think it would be a reasonable suggestion to HQ to point more people to the forum considering the increase in involvement from HQ. If we are an important enough element of MGS for HQ to increase their involvement i.e. testing, then we should be considered important enough to drive traffic to.

Also, using myself as an example, I do not use any social media so participating in a forum as I have for the past almost 2.5 years was not something that I naturally jumped into. And while I may be in a very small minority (Especially within my age group) in regards to social media, I do think that a lot of people might not visit a site and wonder about if that site has a forum to interact with.

MGS Forum is a hidden gem. Also, this isn't a knock on HQ or anything. Just a humble suggestion about my opinion on how to work with HQ to grow the forum.

Edited August 31, 2022 by MyWifesSwingCoach
additional comments

[GolfSpy BOS]

2 hours ago, Headhammer said:

I think this is an important point that gets lost in the shuffle. There are so many biased overstated sources for golf reviews, including the OEM's own advertising. Seeing the results from average golfers use these products and the ability to ask questions about how the product performed under normal conditions are the most important purchase decisions for me. I bought the Rapsodo launch monitor after reading the testing reviews here and asking numerous questions of the testers! IMHO, these are points that HQ should be selling to OEMs as important attributes to increasing sales. 

100%  This forum is what got me to buy into SuperSpeed!  I would have considered that product just more snake oil for golfers until I saw members here seeing real results.

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

3 hours ago, MyWifesSwingCoach said:

This could expand from more than just equipment/accessory etc. testing though. Even a simple note in the articles along the lines of "If you would like to discuss this article and more, join us in the forum (Link) etc." Would drive more traffic here.

I think it would be a reasonable suggestion to HQ to point more people to the forum considering the increase in involvement from HQ. If we are an important enough element of MGS for HQ to increase their involvement i.e. testing, then we should be considered important enough to drive traffic to.

Also, using myself as an example, I do not use any social media so participating in a forum as I have for the past almost 2.5 years was not something that I naturally jumped into. And while I may be in a very small minority (Especially within my age group) in regards to social media, I do think that a lot of people might not visit a site and wonder about if that site has a forum to interact with.

MGS Forum is a hidden gem. Also, this isn't a knock on HQ or anything. Just a humble suggestion about my opinion on how to work with HQ to grow the forum.

This is such a simple, brilliant suggestion.  I would assume (with no way of knowing actual numbers) that the visitors to the main site must be overwhelmingly larger than the visitors to the forum, barring a "enter to test this..." day. 

I'm one of those people that came for a sign-up, and honestly had no idea the forum was even a thing until seeing that one of the ways to get selected as a tester was to be an active member.  And then, once that clicked, discovering the community aspect has completely transformed where I spend my time online in any given day.  

Are any of the HQ folks involved in the forum? Not a dig - legit question.  I would think discussing the forum, or bringing up discussions that are happening on the forum, could be such an easy way to drive traffic here, and bring about larger engagement.

And I'll be sure to be writing up my experience (speaking of user reviews) of the new 0311 XF (gen 5) I bought today as soon as it's in-hand - I'm not a huge buyer of new clubs, but the deal was too good to pass up, and I figured my experience might give insight to a few others.  In my pre-forum-days, that thought literally wouldn't have occurred to me. 

[MyWifesSwingCoach]

35 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

This is such a simple, brilliant suggestion.

36 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

I'm one of those people that came for a sign-up, and honestly had no idea the forum was even a thing until seeing that one of the ways to get selected as a tester was to be an active member.  And then, once that clicked, discovering the community aspect has completely transformed where I spend my time online in any given day.  

 Seriously though, I totally relate to that experience.

44 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

Are any of the HQ folks involved in the forum? Not a dig - legit question.  I would think discussing the forum, or bringing up discussions that are happening on the forum, could be such an easy way to drive traffic here, and bring about larger engagement.

 You said it in a lot less words than I did lol

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

8 minutes ago, MyWifesSwingCoach said:

 

 You said it in a lot less words than I did lol

 

There's ALWAYS a place in my heart for Alfonso. (Humble-brag - I saw him on Broadway in "The Tap Dance Kid" when I was 6. Take THAT.)

[RickyBobby_PR]

4 hours ago, MyWifesSwingCoach said:

This could expand from more than just equipment/accessory etc. testing though. Even a simple note in the articles along the lines of "If you would like to discuss this article and more, join us in the forum (Link) etc." Would drive more traffic here.

There would have to be a thread to point them to and there’s not always the case for all articles.

In reality the forum and homepage are separate things. This forum is more of a hangout place than anything else. Very few topics get more than a page of posts.

While that link may drive more traffic to the forum there has to be something that gets people to stay and that is where this forum lacks. 
 

While the activity has increased over the years it’s not a real active place. I skip over most of the threads here because they don’t attract my attention or keep it.

[GolfSpy SAM]

18 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

There would have to be a thread to point them to and there’s not always the case for all articles.

In reality the forum and homepage are separate things. This forum is more of a hangout place than anything else. Very few topics get more than a page of posts.

While that link may drive more traffic to the forum there has to be something that gets people to stay and that is where this forum lacks. 
 

While the activity has increased over the years it’s not a real active place. I skip over most of the threads here because they don’t attract my attention or keep it.

This is super helpful - what kind of stuff would you think would attract your attention and keep it?  I've been trying to think of things that the forum isn't/doesn't cover, or doesn't go into depth about.  You're a significantly lower HI than I am - is that something to do with it, or is it because you've been around long enough to know more stuff? Are there other forums where there IS more/better topics of discussion? 

I hear you that unless the forum has something that KEEPS people's attention, they may not stay - that makes total sense.  I was one of those that found the forum and couldn't stop coming back, but maybe that speaks more to my relative-novice approach to the forum than to the forum itself. 

Just trying to get a sense of what kind of thing would really grab your attention, or that of golfers like you. 

I appreciate your take - I see you post/comment a ton, and you speak with authority, so curious about your opinion. 

Thanks! 

[Kanoito]

26 minutes ago, Samsonite said:

This is super helpful - what kind of stuff would you think would attract your attention and keep it?  I've been trying to think of things that the forum isn't/doesn't cover, or doesn't go into depth about.  You're a significantly lower HI than I am - is that something to do with it, or is it because you've been around long enough to know more stuff? Are there other forums where there IS more/better topics of discussion? 

I hear you that unless the forum has something that KEEPS people's attention, they may not stay - that makes total sense.  I was one of those that found the forum and couldn't stop coming back, but maybe that speaks more to my relative-novice approach to the forum than to the forum itself. 

Just trying to get a sense of what kind of thing would really grab your attention, or that of golfers like you. 

I appreciate your take - I see you post/comment a ton, and you speak with authority, so curious about your opinion. 

Thanks! 

One can only make up so many new topics and when you've been here long enough, a lot of the questions asked tend to repeat themselves a couple of years later...

That's why a lot of golf unrelated topics are the ones who are kept alive, for example "Cooking" (I love that thread lol)

Equipment tests would also go along those lines... cause it's new stuff and as equipment junkies that's the one thing all of us look forward to every season.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

1 hour ago, Samsonite said:

This is super helpful - what kind of stuff would you think would attract your attention and keep it?  I've been trying to think of things that the forum isn't/doesn't cover, or doesn't go into depth about.  You're a significantly lower HI than I am - is that something to do with it, or is it because you've been around long enough to know more stuff? Are there other forums where there IS more/better topics of discussion? 

I’m not gonna speak for @RickyBobby_PR but I will answer the questions for myself. I actually post less recently than in the past and that is in no way caused by Handicap or even knowledge. Having the knowledge is great but it’s is made even better when you are able to share it with others. Threads asking for advice are some of my favorites and being able to help is extremely satisfying. However there have been a few members that get confrontational and even though they ask for others opinions, they really have no interest or intention to listen or accept them. One person can ruin it for everyone and after so long you just gotta step away. 
 

I mentioned this in another conversation but the testing is the biggest driving factor for getting new members and selecting new members for tests is almost always gonna be the best way to get those members invested here. 
 

It’s great that you are trying to come up with and ask about things to get others interested, odds are out of every 10 things you think of, 7 probably already exist on here if you search.
 

Now I say that not to stop you by any means, just to give my thoughts from being here a few years. 

[GolfSpy SAM]

40 minutes ago, blackngold_blood said:

I’m not gonna speak for @RickyBobby_PR but I will answer the questions for myself. I actually post less recently than in the past and that is in no way caused by Handicap or even knowledge. Having the knowledge is great but it’s is made even better when you are able to share it with others. Threads asking for advice are some of my favorites and being able to help is extremely satisfying. However there have been a few members that get confrontational and even though they ask for others opinions, they really have no interest or intention to listen or accept them. One person can ruin it for everyone and after so long you just gotta step away. 
 

I mentioned this in another conversation but the testing is the biggest driving factor for getting new members and selecting new members for tests is almost always gonna be the best way to get those members invested here. 
 

It’s great that you are trying to come up with and ask about things to get others interested, odds are out of every 10 things you think of, 7 probably already exist on here if you search.
 

Now I say that not to stop you by any means, just to give my thoughts from being here a few years. 

100% - that makes total sense. Appreciate the feedback. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, Samsonite said:

This is super helpful - what kind of stuff would you think would attract your attention and keep it?  I've been trying to think of things that the forum isn't/doesn't cover, or doesn't go into depth about.  You're a significantly lower HI than I am - is that something to do with it, or is it because you've been around long enough to know more stuff? Are there other forums where there IS more/better topics of discussion? 

All forums run into similar problems. There’s only so many topics on things and they just get repeated with questions or opinions being tweaked based on the OP. 
 

Handicap imo has nothing to do with it. Golf conversation can be had by all levels and there are some higher caps that have more knowledge than some lower ones. I know single digit caps that have zero equipment knowledge and still think that swing speed or handicap is how one should pick a club or shaft.

In golf wrx is the gold standard. There’s a 216 page thread that has been going on about TaylorMade release from last year. There’s a 6 page thread about the pxg Gen 5 driver. Neither of those topics have more than a few pages or have died. 
 

There’s more conversation in their equipment sub forum than in a day than what happens on Mgs in a couple days if not longer.

Wrx is mostly for the more serious golfer and from what I see those interested in learning more, where mgs is more about just hanging out and talking golf for the avid but more casual golfer. 

2 hours ago, Samsonite said:

hear you that unless the forum has something that KEEPS people's attention, they may not stay - that makes total sense.  I was one of those that found the forum and couldn't stop coming back, but maybe that speaks more to my relative-novice approach to the forum than to the forum itself. 

Just trying to get a sense of what kind of thing would really grab your attention, or that of golfers like you. 

This is true really for anything. You have to have something to offer the consumer. Once things become stale for a consumer they leave or frequent less. I’ve done the forum thing for community and have made some lifelong friends as a result including some that are now on this forum. I got into forums for equipment reviews and growing my knowledge. I also like to share what i know with those that are learning. So most threads that are just for chatting or not about something specific I tend to skim or skip.

Maybe for me some of it is that I don’t have anything to learn from the threads and more just see where I can help.

But as others have mentioned when you lose the member reviews or when they get moved to some location that you have to go look for it takes away from the site activity. That’s the draw and that draw is gone.

 

[GolfSpy SAM]

9 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

All forums run into similar problems. There’s only so many topics on things and they just get repeated with questions or opinions being tweaked based on the OP. 
 

Handicap imo has nothing to do with it. Golf conversation can be had by all levels and there are some higher caps that have more knowledge than some lower ones. I know single digit caps that have zero equipment knowledge and still think that swing speed or handicap is how one should pick a club or shaft.

In golf wrx is the gold standard. There’s a 216 page thread that has been going on about TaylorMade release from last year. There’s a 6 page thread about the pxg Gen 5 driver. Neither of those topics have more than a few pages or have died. 
 

There’s more conversation in their equipment sub forum than in a day than what happens on Mgs in a couple days if not longer.

Wrx is mostly for the more serious golfer and from what I see those interested in learning more, where mgs is more about just hanging out and talking golf for the avid but more casual golfer. 

This is true really for anything. You have to have something to offer the consumer. Once things become stale for a consumer they leave or frequent less. I’ve done the forum thing for community and have made some lifelong friends as a result including some that are now on this forum. I got into forums for equipment reviews and growing my knowledge. I also like to share what i know with those that are learning. So most threads that are just for chatting or not about something specific I tend to skim or skip.

Maybe for me some of it is that I don’t have anything to learn from the threads and more just see where I can help.

But as others have mentioned when you lose the member reviews or when they get moved to some location that you have to go look for it takes away from the site activity. That’s the draw and that draw is gone.

 

Makes total sense. I actually noticed that lack of discussion about the PXG Gen 5 (which I ordered this morning...lol...maybe it's now up to me to liven it up? gulp ).  

Thanks again.