Who is most wanted testing for?

[DerbyGolf]

Couldn't help but notice the lack of discussion surrounding most wanted testing here. I've been a long time lurker, but found it hard to get into posting. 

I'm not sayong it doesn't matter, but I would think given this forum is MyGolfSpy there would be a lot more discussion surrounding the results. Definitely not the case. So who is it for? Seemingly not the members here. I've seen the socials that go around it about it and it seems like a ton of work. The presentation is better now than previous years, but also seems a lot more of a sales tactic than it had before. Tons of check price links which to me cheapens it a bit. I also noticed a difference in that some tables had rankings. Some had rankings and data. But not for all.

I guess what I am trying to get at is does Most Wanted testing matter to you? If yes, why? If not then we do you think it is meant for? 

Thanks everyone for reading

[GolfSpy_APH]

At least for me it is more for ppl who are interested in OTR purchasing. While I like seeing the top 3 but I'll admit I've moved on from making any purchasing decisions surrounding it. 

The methods are good and I do know there is a ton of work that goes into from seeing the back end work, but will admit that I think for many forum members they value the fitting they do and their experiences more than a lump sum of data. It's a good read and fun to see, but more a starting point vs the golden rule.

Oh and welcome to the forum!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

I'll piggyback on what @GolfSpy_APH said above. Most wanted testing, in my opinion, is geared towards the masses. The people who go into a PGATSS, Golf Galaxy, local shop, etc., grab a demo club and swing it, then buy off the rack. There are a lot of members here on the forum who are very in tune with their specific specs and wants/needs for clubs. 

For me, Most Wanted testing is cool too see more than anything. I always check to see which clubs rank in the top for distance, while also knowing that the top 3 for distance for me may be completely different, for example.

I don't base any of my club decisions solely off Most Wanted testing, and would much rather get fit.

[Josh Parker]

Welcome and great question!

I find it interesting and will take the results with a grain of salt.  As @GolfSpy_APH mentioned it being a starting point, that's how I look at it.  Everyone swings the club differently and while some things can match up, others don't.  

 

[Berg Ryman]

18 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

more a starting point vs the golden rule.

And Jaime distills it down to 7 words and one abbreviation. Most Wanted testing allows me to set expectations for what I might want to try in fittings or buy for myself knowing my specs and some of the data is helpful for some differentiation in ideas as well.

Hope you take to here like a duck to water @DerbyGolf

[Erin B]

Adding my 2 very LOCO cents, I don't go off Most Wanted but it does give me an idea of what's out there and new. I do enjoy the data and information, but that's pretty much what it is for me, data and information. Alas, a great question @DerbyGolf and welcome to the discussions as I see you've been a member a while! And I like the "Home of Golf" location!

[bens197]

Think Golf Digest Hot List but instead, add a vetted, testing process.

I use it as a guide, not an absolute. 

[Northern Monkey]

Gotta agree with the consensus here in that it’s a guide to start from. Everyone is different so there is no “best” club that would apply to all

[DerbyGolf]

Appreciate all the responses. 

All of this begs another question for me. If for many it's just seen as a starting point or a general guide as it seems is the case. Doesn't it seem like overkill to do X thousand shots? 

I love that they do all it, don't get me wrong. But it seems like there could be an easier way that is less time consuming to essentially provide a basic buyers guide.

Thanks for the warm welcome as well. Wasnt sure if I would be pressing any buttons and triggering anyone with this as it seems to be MGS bread and butter. That and what I would say are selling articles which try and be disguised as information pieces, but that's a whole other topic.

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, DerbyGolf said:

All of this begs another question for me. If for many it's just seen as a starting point or a general guide as it seems is the case. Doesn't it seem like overkill to do X thousand shots?

Not at all.  What they do for testing is great and just like any testing gathers data that can be very helpful. Look at all the AI in drivers and clubs these days. Those data points come from thousands of swings. 

Not everyone is obsessed with golf the way many of us are and the data they provide is perfect for the "normal" golfer. 

Hope that makes a little more sense. 

[Rob Person]

Thanks for jumping on the forums!!!

 

To answer your second question,  the xx amount of shots in the thousands or repetitive testing of a product will allow me to tune in to durability aspects.

It's definitely not the same for everyone's results (ie- new drivers falling apart)

[sirchunksalot]

I'm going to agree with everyone else here that Most Wanted testing is for the golfer that just wants to go into a store and grab something off the rack and doesn't want to go through the fitting process. 

I think it's a good starting point and as @bens197 stated it's not an absolute but gives the average consumer some idea of what might be best for them and narrow down the choices. I personally appreciate the amount of time and effort HQ puts in with their testing using regular golfers instead of taking 10 swings with a robot like some other sites. We all swing differently and I think that's more in tune with the average golfer. 

[cksurfdude]

19 hours ago, DerbyGolf said:

I'm not sayong it doesn't matter, but I would think given this forum is MyGolfSpy there would be a lot more discussion surrounding the results.

Possibly what you'd be more interested in are the forum and member testing reviews, which are in the main menu under .. \Golf Product Reviews. 

In two sub-categories forum members test and review different equipment .. both hard and soft goods, and accessories .. and then write up about their experience. They'll also provide background on their golf game to help provide context to the reader; for example as someone who plays GI irons I may not be as interested in a review of player's blades.

These forum tests are unrelated to what we call HQ or main site Most Wanted tests. (..although I've wondered if maybe there were some way to synergize these separate efforts..?)

And as you read through any of the forum reviews, you'll see a lot of discussion between forum members.

Hope that helps a bit and I think your original question was a valid one.

[cnosil]

3 hours ago, DerbyGolf said:

All of this begs another question for me. If for many it's just seen as a starting point or a general guide as it seems is the case. Doesn't it seem like overkill to do X thousand shots? 

I love that they do all it, don't get me wrong. But it seems like there could be an easier way that is less time consuming to essentially provide a basic buyers guide.

Is there an easier way.  Sure. They could do like most club reviewers: the individual hits a few shots and provides a review with their opinion.  

The thousands of shots is how many the tester pool hits.  Each individual tester hits about 15 shots with each club.  The results you see are the averages of all the testers with data captured on a launch monitor. Depending n the results they may also do follow up testing to see why something occurs.  For example if I particular club goes left for the majority of the testers they may do some deeper analysis which could be released at a later date.   
 

It also takes a long time because there are a lot of clubs, the OEMs have to send the clubs, there is a shallow tester pool, and scheduling people is hard.

[Medfloat]

@DerbyGolf I see your point.  I found the forum thru MGS HQ when I signed up to test Titleist golf balls many moons ago.  From there I learned that the Forum answers your first question by doing multiple individual, long-term product tests AND reviews that HQ does not. Reading some of the Forum reviews, I learn more about the gear from everyday golfers of all ranges.  That information is more valuable to my decision making than any advertisement, pro, or short-term testing such as youtube.  Additionally, people have the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with a tester that they could not with other platforms.  
 

The Forum answers your second question as well.  Yes, the “thousands” of shots are necessary for the testing process.  Those shots or tests give more information as to longevity, quality, durability standards that purchasers want before money is spent.  To me, more importantly, the “thousands” of product interaction eliminates the honeymoon period for a product so the tester can be less biased during the test and present a more neutral review at the end.  Hope this helps and you enjoy the journey.

Edited October 12 by Medfloat