MyGolfSpy Forum: How To Be A Tester Guide

[Rob Person]

2 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

Excellent and sage advice.  I will give a current testers (L.A.B. DF3) view point.   There are so many great test opportunities.  The choices can be overwhelming and you're not sure what's coming next. There is a great deal of work involved in evaluating them properly.  Only select the one your are truly interested in and/or putting in the bag.  The analogy is, you are the kid in the candy store, but you can only select one. Take your time and choose wisely.  Ideally, give some thought of how you are going to test a product, prior to putting your name in.  Being patient is worth it, but its hard when you see all the great opportunities.  

100% agree.

I have come to realize through the forum interactions a better sense of what I need versus what I want in terms of golf equipment.  I suggest everyone search and read through some of the equipment reviews and posts to help determine where a testing opportunity might benefit both yourselves and the community simultaneously. For example, I tested out the AI-ONE putter late last year, and can say with certainty that I have no reason to want a different putter. It works perfectly for me in every regard. I still oooh and ahhh over other putters, but none that I feel will help me.

I know my equipment well enough to decide when a test might be an improvement for me, over just wanting another piece of bag furniture.

 

[JAYER38]

On 6/30/2024 at 12:05 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been going through short lists this morning for a little bit and have to say something. Please, please please only sign up for opportunities you are excited for and want to test. 

Having gone through all 45 plus short lists this season we have seen some members sign up for freaking everything. I get it, there is excitement, but when I see that it just gives me vibes of I am here for free sh!*. Not the case for all, but to be blunt that is how it looks to us. 

For those who haven't tested before I get it, there is definitely more leeway there and you want the opportunity to test something, anything. For those that have tested this year, the chances of getting selected again are far lower. We really work hard to make sure it is one test a year outside of smaller items. Even still we ensure there is a good gap between tests and those who have tested are a lower priority, those who have not this year are the first priority then secondary tests. 

There are also tests we feel members are good for and hold off on selecting them because we want to wait (see Azstu and Toura). Anway, mini rant over. Sign up for those you really want, for those signing up for everything and have been around a long time. You should know the deal by now. 

Being fairly new to MGS and gotten lucky enough to be selected for a major test I was actually curious about this myself!

In NO WAY do I see this as a bad post but very informative honestly. There are quiet a few tests that I would love to be a part of still even with just finishing up 1 but have tried my best to hold back from signing up just to give others an opportunity. If I'm REALLY interested I will still click to sign up but that's only in certain cases.

Thank for clearing that up!

[Golf_family_608]

Great information here - glad that I came across this group and look forward to becoming more active and learning from everyone on here.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Hope everyone has a great start to their Monday morning. For all the newer members here who are wanting to get involved in testing give this thread or at least the first page a read. It will help you immensely (and it took hours to write so I appreciate the views it gets).

We are well through half way through testing this season (having had 45 opps so far), but there are still 20 or more planned till the end of the season and we are already working on 2025! 

[buckpillar]

19 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Hope everyone has a great start to their Monday morning. For all the newer members here who are wanting to get involved in testing give this thread or at least the first page a read. It will help you immensely (and it took hours to write so I appreciate the views it gets).

We are well through half way through testing this season (having had 45 opps so far), but there are still 20 or more planned till the end of the season and we are already working on 2025! 

That's an awesome amount, how many more than last year?

Thanks to MGS for lining up all the opportunities for the testing, I can't imagine what it takes to secure the products and agree to terms with the OEM's

I(we) appreciate everything you all do, Thank you ALL !!!

[ILMgolfnut]

I completely understand the rules and the desire to spread the testing wealth, but it's a tiny bit frustrating to see all these awesome tests come by and I'm still doing the Fit For Golf test for months and months and months. That should wrap up in about a month and I can go back to active drooling instead of drooling from afar.

[GolfSpy_APH]

17 minutes ago, buckpillar said:

That's an awesome amount, how many more than last year?

Thanks to MGS for lining up all the opportunities for the testing, I can't imagine what it takes to secure the products and agree to terms with the OEM's

I(we) appreciate everything you all do, Thank you ALL !!!

Too many...

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, buckpillar said:

That's an awesome amount, how many more than last year?

Thanks to MGS for lining up all the opportunities for the testing, I can't imagine what it takes to secure the products and agree to terms with the OEM's

I(we) appreciate everything you all do, Thank you ALL !!!

To give a more serious answer prior to 2022 the normal was around 28-34 per season. 2022 I believe we had 12, down year for sure.

When myself and the other staff took on the task of supplying and gathering testing ops in 2023 (last season we had roughly 44... Some of this depends on the timing and what you consider a testing op). 

This year we are certainly pushing the limits of the staff and testing pool, but it's necessary to see what our cap is. We need to find out what we can handle as well as the community so we can find that sweet spot with numbers. 

I wouldn't expect another year like this and would likely think that we should be considering 50 the norm with several of those being smaller sampling type of opportunities.

[Northern Monkey]

47 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

To give a more serious answer prior to 2022 the normal was around 28-34 per season. 2022 I believe we had 12, down year for sure.

When myself and the other staff took on the task of supplying and gathering testing ops in 2023 (last season we had roughly 44... Some of this depends on the timing and what you consider a testing op). 

This year we are certainly pushing the limits of the staff and testing pool, but it's necessary to see what our cap is. We need to find out what we can handle as well as the community so we can find that sweet spot with numbers. 

I wouldn't expect another year like this and would likely think that we should be considering 50 the norm with several of those being smaller sampling type of opportunities.

This year has been phenomenal for testing opportunities. @GolfSpy_APH You, and the rest of the team, have done an outstanding job this year Jamie

[Fongle]

1 hour ago, Northern Monkey said:

This year has been phenomenal for testing opportunities. @GolfSpy_APH You, and the rest of the team, have done an outstanding job this year Jamie

Yeah, the mods have absolutely killed it this year, there's been so many amazing opportunities, and the community has been thriving

[buckpillar]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

To give a more serious answer prior to 2022 the normal was around 28-34 per season. 2022 I believe we had 12, down year for sure.

When myself and the other staff took on the task of supplying and gathering testing ops in 2023 (last season we had roughly 44... Some of this depends on the timing and what you consider a testing op). 

This year we are certainly pushing the limits of the staff and testing pool, but it's necessary to see what our cap is. We need to find out what we can handle as well as the community so we can find that sweet spot with numbers. 

I wouldn't expect another year like this and would likely think that we should be considering 50 the norm with several of those being smaller sampling type of opportunities.

All of you deserve a standing ovation, what you have accomplished for the community is second to none!! 

Thank you all!!!

[TJ Hall]

Everywhere I look on the forum, @GolfSpy_APH is teasing bigger test opportunities coming up.  It really has been an incredible year for test opportunities already, excited to see what is to come.  Great job by the moderators to make these happen.

As noted many times before, this thread is a must read!  Get involved throughout the forum, so what you can do/provide…and if nothing else, have a picture!

Understand that these are not giveaways, these take a bunch of work and effort.

[buckpillar]

3 hours ago, TJ Hall said:

Everywhere I look on the forum, @GolfSpy_APH is teasing bigger test opportunities coming up.  It really has been an incredible year for test opportunities already, excited to see what is to come.  Great job by the moderators to make these happen.

As noted many times before, this thread is a must read!  Get involved throughout the forum, so what you can do/provide…and if nothing else, have a picture!

Understand that these are not giveaways, these take a bunch of work and effort.

I concur 

[Rob Person]

51 minutes ago, buckpillar said:

I concur 

I third, motion carries

[GolfSpy_APH]

It will be a very very fun next few weeks for member testing, but we also have so much other stuff to get excited about. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Going along with the hot take thread - but first a disclaimer. The whole team decides testers and has input. Not just one person. So here is a personal take - We actively work to include new members on all tests. I think we have done a great job with this. 

That said see those people who have or had been first time testers be more active POST review. When we have members who have thousands of posts and are always actively engaged and contribute to our community. Seeing someone who has say 80 posts and they have had 2 testing opportunities... well that ratio doesn't add up to me. 

A great tester will have 40 or most posts in a single test thread, keeping the community engaged in their review, adding in little bits of information and feelings along the way. 

We see this with several of the top thread where testers will have over a 100 posts in that thread alone. And content that is worth reading, not just blank content. 

We will always choose new testers as we want everyone to have a fair shake, but for those first time testers. We want you to blow us away with your review skills and engagement. If you don't post afterwards and don't keep getting involved, well there are others that are and will frankly do a better job at the review. 

Again personal take - if I look at an applicaiton (second time tester) and they have under 100 posts that math doesn't quite add up to me. Same with 3 4 and 5 time testing. I think at a minimum someone should have 100 posts for each testing opp they have. 

And again this doesn't include first time testers as we select hundreds with 20 or so posts. 

Okay, rant over but welcome to my logic and thinking. 

[Cfhandyman]

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Going along with the hot take thread - but first a disclaimer. The whole team decides testers and has input. Not just one person. So here is a personal take - We actively work to include new members on all tests. I think we have done a great job with this. 

That said see those people who have or had been first time testers be more active POST review. When we have members who have thousands of posts and are always actively engaged and contribute to our community. Seeing someone who has say 80 posts and they have had 2 testing opportunities... well that ratio doesn't add up to me. 

A great tester will have 40 or most posts in a single test thread, keeping the community engaged in their review, adding in little bits of information and feelings along the way. 

We see this with several of the top thread where testers will have over a 100 posts in that thread alone. And content that is worth reading, not just blank content. 

We will always choose new testers as we want everyone to have a fair shake, but for those first time testers. We want you to blow us away with your review skills and engagement. If you don't post afterwards and don't keep getting involved, well there are others that are and will frankly do a better job at the review. 

Again personal take - if I look at an applicaiton (second time tester) and they have under 100 posts that math doesn't quite add up to me. Same with 3 4 and 5 time testing. I think at a minimum someone should have 100 posts for each testing opp they have. 

And again this doesn't include first time testers as we select hundreds with 20 or so posts. 

Okay, rant over but welcome to my logic and thinking. 

@GolfSpy_APH Thank you for sharing, well stated and wise words of wisdom  It is always very helpful to set expectations and minimum requirements.  That way reviewers can develop appropriate goals and a plan of action.  Also, it never hurts to set the bar high. After all, you also have a responsibility to the readership and sponsors.

[buckpillar]

9 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Going along with the hot take thread - but first a disclaimer. The whole team decides testers and has input. Not just one person. So here is a personal take - We actively work to include new members on all tests. I think we have done a great job with this. 

That said see those people who have or had been first time testers be more active POST review. When we have members who have thousands of posts and are always actively engaged and contribute to our community. Seeing someone who has say 80 posts and they have had 2 testing opportunities... well that ratio doesn't add up to me. 

A great tester will have 40 or most posts in a single test thread, keeping the community engaged in their review, adding in little bits of information and feelings along the way. 

We see this with several of the top thread where testers will have over a 100 posts in that thread alone. And content that is worth reading, not just blank content. 

We will always choose new testers as we want everyone to have a fair shake, but for those first time testers. We want you to blow us away with your review skills and engagement. If you don't post afterwards and don't keep getting involved, well there are others that are and will frankly do a better job at the review. 

Again personal take - if I look at an applicaiton (second time tester) and they have under 100 posts that math doesn't quite add up to me. Same with 3 4 and 5 time testing. I think at a minimum someone should have 100 posts for each testing opp they have. 

And again this doesn't include first time testers as we select hundreds with 20 or so posts. 

Okay, rant over but welcome to my logic and thinking. 

@GolfSpy_APH Well said, setting expectations and requirements help the overall experience here in the forums and with testing opportunities. Words are clear and to the point.

Thank you and the entire MGS staff for always being fair, to the point with exceptional knowledge and guidance.

[GolfSpy_APH]

If you want to guarantee your selection as a tester. I do mean this, guaranteed to get a test this season, read and follow what this thread has to say. It is truly that simple. 

[TJ Hall]

11 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

If you want to guarantee your selection as a tester. I do mean this, guaranteed to get a test this season, read and follow what this thread has to say. It is truly that simple. 

This right here…

@GolfSpy_APH has said many times this would be a great year for test opportunities, with some big ones coming up…and I can honestly say he is spot on.

Recommend reading the guide thoroughly, I initially applied for tests without really knowing anything about MGS and not being active…but I got involved, did an unofficial review and it can’t be said enough, have a profile picture!

[Mikey B]

Thanks for posting the guide and a lot of really solid advice here in the replies too. I'm looking forward to testing products as I love writing the reviews, comparing equipment and getting to try new products. 

[cksurfdude]

On 7/22/2024 at 5:26 PM, TJ Hall said:

Understand that these are not giveaways, these take a bunch of work and effort.

^this^

[GolfSpy_APH]

Must view post. 

[Wheelieb]

I used to apply to be a tester for everything. I so wanted to be a tester to get that tester badge, but I also wasn’t really fully engaged. I took a step back and got more involved, started writing un-official reviews. I also learned only apply for the product you actually want to test. When the SQAIRZ shoes testers wanted post came, I thought about it for a couple days before putting my name in the bag. There were two reasons why. The first, I felt I needed to do more work in reviewing clubs. Secondly, I needed new waterproof shoes as the ones I had, FJ Superlites, had the nubs coming off the bottom for traction. So it was a need. I also felt testing shoes wasn’t going to involve having to spend time with each like you would with clubs. Get involved, do a review of an item even if they did an official review of it. And the the biggest in my eyes, have fun with it. 

[Cfhandyman]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Must view post. 

An absolute must view and read post as it provides critical and insightful updates as well as expectations. If you are a tester or want to be a tester, this is a mandatory read. It even provides wonderful examples of what an exceptional review looks like. Very well done and thank you Jamie and the moderators for updating. It is very much appreciated. 

[Joel Halprin]

On 12/29/2023 at 3:35 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

We do everything we can to be as forthcoming and transparent to make everyone who really wants to be a tester easier. 

It's not hard, but paying attention and actually reading versus just sign up and hope goes a long way.

 

[buckpillar]

7 hours ago, alice morgan said:

The "How To Be A Tester Guide" on MyGolfSpy Forum is an invaluable resource for those interested in becoming product testers. It provides clear instructions and expectations, helping members contribute meaningful feedback to the community. Whether you're a seasoned tester or new to the process, this guide is a must-read for anyone looking to make the most of their testing experience.

@alice morgan Well said Alice, well said! The guide is a blueprint to MGS testing.

[Lefty11]

I agree with the statements made here, but I only apply them to what I consider necessary. I’m gradually updating my golf bag, focusing only on items I truly need and feel confident about reviewing thoroughly.

[TJ Hall]

With the recent announcement of what I would consider big tests, this thread is a must read!

This has truly been an amazing year for opportunities and the MGS team has done a great job (honestly it sure how they do it…even though I met @GolfSpy_APH in person, still not convinced he isn’t a bot!)

I can’t recommend enough to read the guide, show what you can do (unofficial review), maybe start small (ball/glove test) and get involved in the forum!

[GolfSpy_APH]

On 10/31/2023 at 6:22 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Figured it is worth providing another update here as we have tweaked things a bit. 

We recognize there is an inherent bias towards the products that are given to members for testing. We have seen higher grades than ever before and while we do feel some products warrant that, we wanted to make sure we are fair. People often make purchasing decisions on this so here is a quick guide on how we will do grades moving forward. 

And while we are at it, same thing goes for posting during reviews. It is clear and you will be able to see our expectations right from the start. 

For those who tested prior to us sending this out, we are continuing with the prior model. But all testing moving forward will go under this layout. 

Only sign up for the reviews you are excited for. Getting placed on one you wish you hadn't been could lead to low activity and then potentially no future tests. 

 

I thnk I may have mentioned this before, but doesn't hurt to say it again. 

This is my own personal take and it is very important to note that we make decisions on testers as a full staff, no single person decides who is testing. Group effort, so what I am about to say is my own feelings and how I view selecting testers. 

I love seeing new member test, the excitement and hopefully high participation level is awesome and it is just fun. I also don't mind taking more "risk" on a newer member, especially on smaller value tests. Just less risk overall for us, but a great way to get ppl involved. 

That said after your first test, my own personal expectations grow significantly. Taking a look at the quoted post above, if we select a new member and they have say 20-40 posts at the moment, I would hope that, that number would grow to the 50-70 range just from the test. Meaning when I look at selections for someone going into their second test I feel they should have a minimum of 100 posts attached to their name. 

Of course we also look at where people are posting and what they are posting, empty congrats posts don't do much for me. 

This logic also goes for 3rd, 4th and more testers. We have some members that really have only every posted while they are testing and truthfully that just doesn't do it for me. I would rather take a chance on someone new who is starting to participate elsewhere and is contributing to our community. 

Going into a 3rd of 4th test, I would prefer to see those people in the 300 and 400 post range. It shows commitment, activity, participation and engagement into our community. Good reviews are great, but ultimately we want people who are engaged in the community to be testers, much like a reward or thank you for being active. 

I also write this as a note we are going to start to see a few members who have already tested this season selected again. It inevitably happens, especially with this number of tests in the season. Members will not get two "big tests" so no irons and a driver in the same season, but it will be possible to see a driver and maybe rangefinder or gloves or something like that. 

Of course, for those newer here if you have questions please just ask and check out the first few posts in this thread to help you gain a better understanding on how we go about our selections.