MyGolfSpy Forum Member Testing 2025

[rkj427]

My thoughts are similar to those of the regular contributors who have already posted above.

Such as the comments provided by @Tom the Golf Nut, @TJ Hall, @Berg Ryman, @bens197, @Shankster, @Indy_Oz, @William P, @EasyPutter. @Rob Person, and many more of the regular participants.

Quality over quantity, and even at 30 or so products tested, it allows for a more "organized or structured" area to read reviews which interest them.

Great job by all of the staff this past year, which at times has been super busy with  on-going tests in progress.

 

[jbern]

Thanks for sharing and being so open about the future of the forum! 

I'm a fairly new member of the forum and wasn't around during the rollercoaster times. It feels like the forum has been on a trajectory to the moon since I joined in 2023! 

It's a bummer that you've seen a decline in quality on some of the tests. That makes it an easy decision to trim opportunities to maximize quality. 

I will say that I have enjoyed popping in and out of testing threads because there have always been multiple, multiple tests going on at once that are of interest to me! 

Thanks for everything that you and the staff do!

[Josh Parker]

Thinking more about this.  I do think the "less is more" is better from a management and quality standpoint. A few others have said that the floodgates have been opened and OEMs reach out for testing, but only the staff really know that answer.  Could it be a detrerant to them on future testing, sure but maybe not.

The other side I look at is this.  It does make it hard to follow as a participating member and keep up with so many test (kudos to staff) but it does make for a ton of searchable content for new and potential members to join this community.  If the quality of review isn't there, then the potential for new members drops.  

I don't know if there is a magic number or even if there is necessarily a win with any end number of test. 

Thanks for the open communication as always and thank you to the entire staff for killing it this year!

[poprocksncoke]

It was an exciting year for testing that's for sure!  Probably was unrealistic to think this pace would continue.  

30 testing opportunities is nothing to sneeze at either.  Sometimes quality is better than quantity.  

Looking forward to see what MGS has in store for next year.

 

[Chux13]

Appreciate the transparent approach to the 2025 outlook and beyond. It has always been a blast following this group through the years and finally getting myself into the mix after so long. I really do believe in quality over quantity, but still, the outlook on the number of tests is still pretty damn solid. I do agree trying to keep up with the numerous tests can become daunting, but that is the beauty of following along with what interests you.

I also see this as being a great opportunity for those to already use what you got and provide some quality "unofficial" tests that members may want to get in front of the masses. This may allow those opportunities to be a spotlight if it is a well written assessment on something that is trending or has been missed in the past. As @EasyPutter mentioned prior, I love the idea of helping those very interested individuals in how to tell a story and frame their reviews. There is such a high ceiling with this group and I hope it only continues to hit that height and challenge even further. I look forward to 2025, but still want to enjoy 2024 too! Keep up the good work mod-peeps and thanks for all you do!

Edited September 16 by Chux13
Fixed a run-on

[Dan1247]

The last thing I want to see is the MGS team get burnt out by trying to do too much. It has been difficult to keep up with all of the testing this year, partly because I don't know the timelines of when the reviewers are announced to when the tests are published. I do appreciate the "peek behind the curtain".

My thoughts:

• Quality over quantity will always be better. As I've said in another thread; the testing opportunities are great, but that's not how I found MGS or why I'll be staying.

  • However, I would be concerned with the same testers being chosen over and over again. Maybe there could be a private thread where testers could put up a draft that other "good" testers could provide feedback on before publishing?

• I appreciate the transparency. I didn't fully understand the amount of work it took on the back end to get all of this set up. 

• I would keep the testing schedule private. There is an excitement in not knowing what is coming, as well as stopping some from "gaming" the system. Keeping it private would also help in case something falls through, because we wouldn't know about it anyway.

[Bucky CC]

I've been a member for 8 years and a reader for even longer.  Fully agree that something with this year just felt "off" with the huge number of reviews.  I like the focus being put on fewer products being tested, but ensuring those that make the grade are held to a high standard.

I would think most OEM's would prefer the 2025 approach as well (assuming their product makes the cut).  They'll get more attention and participation/feedback when the focus is put on fewer tests.

Thanks for the update and all your hard work!

[mpatrickriley]

Let me add myself to the crowd offering a standing ovation to the current team of moderators. Having myself once been part of that team, I have some understanding of the enormous work that goes into supervising tests. And so I say this kindly: 350 testers? You are all insane, in the best and most complimentary way I can say that.

It seems to me that one of the difficulties of scaling back would be the temptation to only retain for testing the "big ticket" items. We all know that a Titleist iron test is going to get a bazillion applications, whereas (for instance) Galway rain gear will get a fraction of that.

But some of the best reviews and most interesting for the community come from golf items out of the mainstream. Honestly: it's not terribly likely that Titleist is going to release a bad set of irons. But a forum review of a training aid or a new bit of tech or whatnot: those are the reviews that most often give real guidance about a product that you should seek out—or avoid.

I don't think I'm merely being a voice for "the way we've always done it"  to say that I think I still favor an unpublished review calendar. Yes, for sure, it would help some people make informed choices about what product to apply to test. But from the backside of the operation, there's a huge number of people who apply for everything indiscriminately, and I'm not thinking their behavior would change much. Rather, those who do engage in targeted applications will likely congregate to the same items, and it would likely be the very kinds of reviews I mentioned above (products that truly could be good or truly bad) won't get the solid engagement that they ought to.

But I'll conclude where I started: the mod team is amazing. They hauled in OEMs for testing this year that were previous considered impossible for the MGS Forum. Top notch stuff, fellas.

[Golf2Much]

So many well-deserved compliments had already been made by those who have been on the forum for a while and newcomers as well.  

For those new to the forum who joined just for the "free stuff", it's unfortunate that you've haven't drove in deeper to experience the commodore that exists between forum members.  I've truly enjoyed the interactions with my MGS fellow forum members.  For those who leave because of fewer testing opportunities, you will be missing out on something special.

Going to fewer reviews in 2025 is a great move.  Quality will go up on both sides of the equation.  On the supply side moderators get to filter through opportunities and pick the ones that the forum members want and need.  OEM's will know there are fewer opportunities and will "bring" their best and innovative products to the table.  On the demand side, moderators will have the opportunity to select reviewers that are well written, have something to say and will ensure the type of review that the forum, forum members and suppliers will appreciate.

Limiting the reviews will also make it easier for forum members to follow them all.  Trying to follow 150 plus reviews for several months at a time can be tough.  Limiting the number will make it easier to follow all of them as they go through the entire review process.

There may be a compromise on revealing the product schedule.   Instead of releasing the actual products that are going to be reviewed, why not release the type of products that will be reviewed and when.  For example, in June, we're going to be reviewing a rangefinder, sand wedges, a golf bag and a driver.  At least with the genre, there could be guesses (even a poll) of what the product is.  It may help build a little excitement and will tell those interested in one of those items that a review is coming up.  Just a thought.

Mods...thank you again for all you do!

[Rob Person]

2 hours ago, Golf2Much said:

,why not release the type of products that will be reviewed and when.  For example, in June, we're going to be reviewing a rangefinder, sand wedges, a golf bag and a driver.  At least with the genre, there could be guesses (even a poll) of what the product is.  It may help build a little excitement and will tell those interested in one of those items that a review is coming up.  Just a thought.

That is an interesting take!  It would make sense.

I am curious how well the companies recieved the testing reviews as well . It certainly is a driving factor if they want to offer another opportunity every year.  Perhaps there is an opportunity there to help understand what we, as members,  can do better in the future. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Appreciate all the compliments to the team and support. 

As for the schedule I think it is pretty clear we will keep the specifics a secret given the feedback, but we may release the timing. 

Our intention is to have an offseason and that will likely mean most of December and January are release free. 

The pace will slowly pick up in Feb and March and by the time April hits we hope to bring a few more your way as the whole community will be holding. May June and July will be the bulk (think 1 per week) with August, Sept and October being the finish of the season before going back into the offseason.

[fixyurdivot]

The amount of product testing this year was indeed insane.  As someone pointed out, it was really hard to follow everything.  The amount of behind the scenes work to manage these, and try and make sure the OEM's actually get quality reviews for the products they so graciously offer, is considerable.  The proposed 2025 stills seems like a lot of opportunities and work for staff... and the work you guys do is very much appreciated .

MGS has been and will continue to be the best source for "Joe the Golfer" product reviews.  That's my term for the value our forum members provide to the golfing world. It's how I stumbled onto MGS while researching new products to replace my then 30+ year in the bag PING Eye 2's. Getting candid feedback from folks who you'd likely run into out on the course is more meaningful to me than what elite level players provide.

I would also suggest not releasing the product test list schedule in advance.  If you're a regular (daily user in Jamie's term), you won't miss anything.  Plus, it's kind of fun, a box of chocolates like surprise, to see those test opportunity announcement banners pop-up .

Already looking forward to the 2025 test season .

 

[ejgaudette]

I missed this but yes thank you to the mods for all the hard work. I totally get the need to scale back. Testing is a huge commitment for both members and mods so having a bit less I am sure will make a better experience for everyone. It never ceases to amaze me the number of things that need to get done to keep this site thinking when I think about it all.

We had some wonderful tests this week and I am sure next year will be no different. I look forward to the next year and everything that is coming. Thank you all again!

 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

I agree on certain dead periods. Offseason testing is really hard for a lot of folks

I will say, like others, kudos to all the work the mod team and forum staff has done lining up tests. 

I do agree in dialing back and having more quality reviews vs having a large quantity of tests. I get it gets more forum members involved but TBH, if I followed every test, I would never be able to get any work done, lol.

I think some great test ideas could be as follows:

Having tests based on most wanted testing and seeing if that testing result is supported by our forum members.

Game improvement tests, which some have happened this season. I think this makes us more of a golf community than just equipment.

For me personally I am more picky signing up for tests, trying to do things that I could actually use or are interested in. That is why a schedule would be nice for planning purposes but I totally get not giving out the whole enchilada of details

Testing competitions are also fun to see. Makes the testing more engaging.

Something that could also help is having a google form or something, with buttons for rating (like a survey) and then testers can put their comments in that way or depending on the test, whatever bubble you select it gives questions specific to why you rated it that way or something like that.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

On 9/16/2024 at 3:13 PM, Golf2Much said:

Instead of releasing the actual products that are going to be reviewed, why not release the type of products that will be reviewed and when.  For example, in June, we're going to be reviewing a rangefinder, sand wedges, a golf bag and a driver.  At least with the genre, there could be guesses (even a poll) of what the product is.  It may help build a little excitement and will tell those interested in one of those items that a review is coming up.  Just a thought.

Support this!

[Wolfstrum]

I joined the forum this year. I never expected to get selected this year for a test. I am hugely thankful for the opportunity to test that I was selected for. This is a great community and valuable resource. The member testing is one small part. I have hugely enjoyed participating in the VCT.  I find lots of wisdom and answers here on the forum when I have questions.

If the testing list is shared in advance I will make a short list of tests that I think I would be able to provide meaningful input and will apply for them as they come up. If the tests are announced week by week I will still only apply for a small amount of them using this same criteria.

Thank you mods for all you do!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Again appreciate all the support and acceptance of these changes. 

A lot to say the least going on behind the scenes. One thing we have done is cut several member tests from our 2024 calendar. While good opportunities, the season has just died out enough that we need to be more selective in what we bring moving forward. This means no more weekly ops and in some weeks we won't have any. 

More news on the horizon for all of this and we are excited to bring you a great 2025 Forum season with well new content for all to enjoy and engage with!