What Brands/Products Do You Want To See for Member Testing 2024?

[sdnav9]

love to see a category of all direct to consumer golf companies and their products tested

[RATOUR7]

WILSON irons , drivers ,putters ,wedges ,balls !!!!!!!!!! give em' a look to see how they match up with the rest of the crowd ....

[Kevin Santom]

Thoughts on Stix golf clubs 

[racingdaly]

On 12/28/2023 at 9:56 AM, Owengeorge13 said:

I’m also interested in seeing some reviews on children’s sets of clubs.

As someone with an 8-year-old and 10-year-old who are getting into playing, I'd definitely be interested in seeing this.

[RATOUR7]

GOLF RANGE FINDERS , PRICING ,DURABLITY , OPERATIONAL EASE

[Splatt]

On 12/28/2023 at 11:35 PM, ZJeb67 said:

Since I'm Kirkland fan boy, the Kirkland Driver and the Kirkland irons. 
And anything else they release in 2024 

The Kirkland irons for sure!!!!

[Fongle]

Would love to see some Wilson gear, irons, putters, drivers etc have looked phenomenal the last year or so

[GolfSpy_APH]

7 hours ago, Kevin Santom said:

Thoughts on Stix golf clubs 

HQ is doing doing some stuff with them. I've reached out a couple times and am still awaiting a response. It is the holidays right now so don't expect responses till beginning of Jan.

[GolfSpy_APH]

5 hours ago, racingdaly said:

As someone with an 8-year-old and 10-year-old who are getting into playing, I'd definitely be interested in seeing this.

We have actually done this before! Was several years ago, however we may have enough new member it could be worth another look.

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 hours ago, Splatt said:

The Kirkland irons for sure!!!!

I wish! 

Due to stocking and such that would be a tough get! Thankfully we have some members with them already doing unofficial reviews.

[jaskanski]

Almost certainly the Mizuno Pro 2024 series irons.

[Rob Person]

Anyone tried the SF1 driver from performance golf yet?

[Splatt]

How about those new Masters edition Mizuno irons

[srooch2]

I’d love to see a company called Arias get tested. They have zero offset irons which I think could be different than other dtc brands or big brands for that matter. I am currently using/testing their chipper out and love it. (I’m gonna write up a review soon) I just think among all the irons out there it’s hard to find some that have a significant difference and I think these would really be something to try. Cheers

[Rob Person]

Wilson has recently been pushing their redesigned DTC full sets on their website.  junior sets thru seniors sets. Might be a good opportunity to test for golfers of all types.

[TJ Hall]

The Wilson AI fitting would also be interesting 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Wilson is definitely on the radar and a company we would love to work with.

[Owengeorge13]

I’d love to see a way for shafts to be tested.  Specifically iron graphite shafts.  It sounds like a daunting task for some, but I think if we brainstormed and made it happen it would be cutting edge.  How about something like the mizuno shaft optimizer?  

Edited December 31, 2023 by Owengeorge13

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, Owengeorge13 said:

I’d love to see a way for shafts to be tested.  Specifically iron graphite shafts.  It sounds like a daunting task for some, but I think if we brainstormed and made it happen it would be cutting edge.

Not sure I follow?

I have seen several replies that while great, don't quite hit the mark. This is specific to member testing. Most Wanted and the other data centric testing is done by HQ and their staff as they have those resources. 

Iron Shaft testing has in many cases been a tough starter with member testing. The cost of installing usually falls on the tester, which not all prefer, and while the Nippon Modus 115 was a good test, we have had several others that have just been really low activity and interest. Drivers and fairways are easier tests to hose and house, while irons members may need an extra set, reshaft their own and is timely. 

While I prefer that we stay away from comparison reviews (reviews imo should be more standalone with reference points, not comparisons as not everyone has the same equipment), that is what these end up being. What was the current iron shaft, get data and what is the new one, get data and feel and compare. Again I don't love that type of review as it limits the audience. 

Not to say iron shafts won't happen, but I will admit they are not something we often pursue. With us limiting the number of tests we want to bring higher engagement, newer/unique opportunities and opportunities to the forum that gets a slightly higher level of engagement than what we have seen in the past with iron shafts. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Thanks again for everyone who has provided responses. They have all be very helpful and useful... may or may have not already made contact with some of the suggested companies or items which have been suggested

The important thing as a reminder is that this is for Forum Member Testing. HQ does all the most wanted testing and for broad range of products (I think I saw previous years driver winners or something along those lines) that is a great idea, but one more suited to them and one we will certainly pass along. 

We aim to get a broad range of products - golf clubs, technology, golf balls, maybe some training aids, apparel, shoes, golf club parts and much more. There are some incredibly unique and exciting ideas already in the works and scheduled with a lot more to come. 

Note we also have made a slight shift in there will be several tests that we don't run back to back seasons. While great reviews and opportunities they need provide value to the reviewer, forum and the company. So for products that haven't changed or been added with features we will not be returning to them (yet). Arccos is the prime example as this review came year over year and got extremely stale...this is not what we want at all. 

We also of course aim to get several new releases for all the major and dtc companies. These are obviously products everyone is interested in and we can look to take advantage of that to get it in your hands. 

DTC are a very high priority for us and always will be. We love working with these companies and truly enjoy the relationships we build with them. They end up being win, win, wins for them, the community and us as staff. You can be assured that we will see more DTC companies in 2024. 

As always keep firing away with suggestions and we will keep taking suggestions all year round!

Finally geo restrictions - we ask or attempt to get all tests to be worldwide. However this is not the case for all companies and the forum does not have the funding to start shipping golf clubs all over the world. I wish we did, but just not in the cards (yet). For now we work with what works best for the OEM and where they want to market the product to have the greatest impact. So for all those EU, UK and NZ/Australia members shoot me a message with companies in your area and we can see what we can do!

[EMacK1961]

As a user of single length clubs, I'd be interested in seeing where that technology is going in 2024. Thank you for your good work.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, EMacK1961 said:

As a user of single length clubs, I'd be interested in seeing where that technology is going in 2024. Thank you for your good work.

I am equally curious to see if Cobra even comes out with a set. Bryson not being contracted with them (now using PING irons) was their big reasoning to even starting them and making them to begin with. I will equally curious to see if Cobra drops the concept to see if anyone else picks it up. 

[Dead Solid Bogey]

Last day of the year… last day this year for me to be a jack-wagon.. While still early on, with all the angst and vitriol about the possible ball roll back, maybe MGS should consider getting the jump on this possibility and line up the ability to test possible prototypes of NON-conforming balls for the edification of us wannabe rebels. 
 

Happy New Year’s to staff and members of MGS. 

[DaveP043]

8 minutes ago, Dead Solid Bogey said:

maybe MGS should consider getting the jump on this possibility and line up the ability to test possible prototypes of NON-conforming balls for the edification of us wannabe rebels. 

This is interesting to me as well, although I'm not one of those "would be rebels".  There are a small number of balls that claim to be non-conforming, it might be interesting to see these tested alongside currently conforming balls.  

[GolfSpy_APH]

13 minutes ago, Dead Solid Bogey said:

Last day of the year… last day this year for me to be a jack-wagon.. While still early on, with all the angst and vitriol about the possible ball roll back, maybe MGS should consider getting the jump on this possibility and line up the ability to test possible prototypes of NON-conforming balls for the edification of us wannabe rebels. 
 

Happy New Year’s to staff and members of MGS. 

Something to look into. This is the year for several brands (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone and someone else I believe ... don't quote me as Im not 100%) have new balls coming out (conforming). 

I wouldn't expect to see true new rule balls for at least a season or two. While there are conforming balls out there which meet the current criteria, at least I checked none of them had premium covers which really makes them non relevant. 

I am sure there will be more whitebox opps which have this in mind coming closer to the 2028 date for when the ball will actually go into play. 

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I am equally curious to see if Cobra even comes out with a set. Bryson not being contracted with them (now using PING irons) was their big reasoning to even starting them and making them to begin with. I will equally curious to see if Cobra drops the concept to see if anyone else picks it up. 

I think this niche trend has died for the sub set of the masses, but I think some Ams will continue to play it.  

Interested to see what new driver Cobra will release this year..

 

[ZackS]

4 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Not sure I follow?

I have seen several replies that while great, don't quite hit the mark. This is specific to member testing. Most Wanted and the other data centric testing is done by HQ and their staff as they have those resources. 

Iron Shaft testing has in many cases been a tough starter with member testing. The cost of installing usually falls on the tester, which not all prefer, and while the Nippon Modus 115 was a good test, we have had several others that have just been really low activity and interest. Drivers and fairways are easier tests to hose and house, while irons members may need an extra set, reshaft their own and is timely. 

While I prefer that we stay away from comparison reviews (reviews imo should be more standalone with reference points, not comparisons as not everyone has the same equipment), that is what these end up being. What was the current iron shaft, get data and what is the new one, get data and feel and compare. Again I don't love that type of review as it limits the audience. 

Not to say iron shafts won't happen, but I will admit they are not something we often pursue. With us limiting the number of tests we want to bring higher engagement, newer/unique opportunities and opportunities to the forum that gets a slightly higher level of engagement than what we have seen in the past with iron shafts. 

I could see shaft tests making sense for woods/drivers with loft sleeves as you can easily go back and forth. Maybe if a shaft company wanted to testing with different profiles they could get results across different swing speeds/tempo’s/types. Not sure it would make sense for the company as I would think they would require launch monitor data for the test and could probably get this on their own easier without giving away shafts. A test think would be cool is “stock” vs “up charge” of the same shaft. Such as a Ventus non-velocore vs velocore or tensie av vs 1k. I don’t think this one will ever happen as they would need to be very confident the test will see a pretty significant difference in the two but would be interesting. I know these are both comparison tests which you don’t prefer but I think they would be comparisons that would get engagement. 

[aguybadatgolf]

More golf accessories like bags, range finders, etc. 

[Thegolfdean7]

AI phone apps, that’s the new and I am ready for it. Help us out please.

 

Dean

[RATOUR7]

1 hour ago, Thegolfdean7 said:

AI phone apps, !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Dean

Not a Fan of AI     Keep it REAL no computer aid thinking please !!!!  Designing AI only in equipment , even that isn't right