MyGolfSpy Forum Member Testing 2025

[GolfSpy_APH]

Hello all, 

2024 season is wrapping up and going to finish off strong with plenty of fun and exciting opportunities. Which leads us to what some may find a harder conversation, which is 2025. 

The truth is this season we pushed the limits of what this community was capable of. We pushed the limits of what the staff were capable of as well. We have had a record year with member testing which has been fun, but as with all things they must adapt and change for the better. 

For 2025 we will only be hosting 30 member tests. There are a few more things we are contemplating, such as even releasing the schedule when we have it built. 

So why the big change? A few things, one is HQ and what they want to see. With so much focus on member testing it was important that our forum not just been seen as that and that we have an identity outside of member testing. The other is we have seen a drop off in the quality of some of the reviews. If I break down the grades we had too many reviews that received lower grades and participation. We want these to be truly special and if it means lower the number to make them more earned then so be it. 

We will have had 350 plus members take part this season which is great, next year that number will be in the 160 range. 

I am sure there will be more questions and as I have always been I will be open and honest with the community about the approach and what we can expect to see. After all it is us as a community that will make this forum thrive. 

The last week or so the staff have been hard at work thinking of new ways to bring content and excitement to the community and to hopefully keep up the pace with the participation we had this year. 

You can look to see more of your content on our social platforms and more basic forum inspired content. 

We will have more Live Q&A and more of our fun and engaging community calls. 

We are hard at work for a new community map with course reviews integrated. 

I already know plenty of the reaction will be why and not a full understanding, many of you have been here long enough to know that we have in a sense been down this road before. For many of those who are newer, between 2017-2021 the norm for our community was about 28, 2022 we only had 12 and 2023 we boosted that number to 44. This year once again we pushed that limit. 

There are a lot of great new members who we will look to get involved, but with limited numbers we will have even higher expectations. 

While this change could mean some slowing of the growth we have seen it will also show the community who is here for what we offer as a community vs those who just want to sign up for free stuff. 

As Forum staff we look forward to this new challenge that is being presented to us and look forward to making the most out of each and every opportunity that is brought to the Forum!

[GolfSpy_APH]

For whatever reason didn't see this pop up in RC so make sure it gets there with this post. 

[sirchunksalot]

I appreciate all the hard work you and the others members of the forum staff have put in this year by bringing in an insane number of member tests. I can only imagine how much work y'all have put in both in getting these opportunities and guiding us through them. 

I'm appreciative of the transparency and honesty both in this post and the community call about where both the forum and testing are going next year. I have a feeling no other forum has the transparency we do and that is something I love about our community. 

[Josh Parker]

Stronger reviews and content can outweigh quantity any day. 

Sure this place is about opportunities to test new products but it's also about community and I would challenge anyone to find a better one out there!

[Coulter]

Thank you for the update on next year! I know I’m new here but I really enjoy the community and insight provided here not just the opportunities to receive some awesome products. Hopefully less testing opportunities doesn’t result in too much of a drop off in participation in the forum as a whole. 

[Medfloat]

Oooof, if….when, WHEN…I get selected to test a product, I am going to keep a copy of the roadmap for reviews on the fridge and the bathroom door (we know which one I’m talking about), the tool box, the dash of the truck, the work locker…too much?  Heck No!  Gotta try to exceed the set standards I will agree to WHEN yall pick me to test something!

[TJ Hall]

This year has been incredible for testing, but some are almost too hard to follow (ie, multiple tests going on at the same time).

I appreciate everything that goes on behind the scenes to make these tests (and the forum as a whole) operate.

@GolfSpy_APH and all of the other mods have done great things with MGS.  Testing is just a small piece of the forum, the people here are the key!

[bens197]

1 hour ago, TJ Hall said:

This year has been incredible for testing, but some are almost too hard to follow (ie, multiple tests going on at the same time).

I appreciate everything that goes on behind the scenes to make these tests (and the forum as a whole) operate.

@GolfSpy_APH and all of the other mods have done great things with MGS.  Testing is just a small piece of the forum, the people here are the key!

I share the same sentiment and cannot imagine how much back end work is involved. 
 

160 opportunities is still phenomenal. 
 

My sincere gratitude to the entire staff as well as the members who really brought it this year with some excellent reviews. 
 

[Shrek74]

I don't recall how many tests will be completed by year's end, but I know it'll be a LOT. It's an incredible testament to the forum staff to keep things running smoothly throughout this year's chaos.

I don't have all the background from year's past as I really only re-engaged early summer last year. But I can understand HQ's concern about the forum becoming known purely for testing opportunities. With the number we will have done this year, it's an understandable conclusion.

With the cut in opportunities next year, your concern about the drop off in participation is inevitable. There are plenty of people only here for those opportunities for "free stuff" as you said. Those folks will likely disappear. Luckily, from what I've witnessed over the past 1.5 years there is an incredible foundation of members who won't let the number of tests deter them from being here daily and consistently being involved in other posts and topics. As long as HQ is aware that a drop-off is inevitable, we should be fine.

Regardless of what comes next year, I'll be here enjoying it all - testing or non-testing threads.

My thought around the releasing of the testing schedule - I wouldn't make it public. What I think will happen is that the "part-timers" will only be involved around the time a test is coming that they want to try and get picked for, then disappear otherwise. Keep it to you mods, and let us enjoy the surprise of the tests getting announced. Just my $0.02.

[Josh Parker]

14 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

My thought around the releasing of the testing schedule - I wouldn't make it public. What I think will happen is that the "part-timers" will only be involved around the time a test is coming that they want to try and get picked for, then disappear otherwise. Keep it to you mods, and let us enjoy the surprise of the tests getting announced. Just my $0.02

I 100% agree with this

[KC Golf]

I have said this a few times already this year, but the Mods have just knocked it out of the park this year.  Innovative tests, OEM synched launch day tests, lots of one off tests with new brands and products.

i can see that too many tests particularly in the same weeks is a problem for many reasons.   

The Forum is under great leadership, so I know the direction and focus of the Forum will continue to only get better for members, HQ and the OEMs.

Looking forward to seeing what happens in 2025!

[IndyBonzo]

Thanks to all the Mods for all the hard work you do.  The testing opportunities have been truly wonderful.  And you provide excellent support to the testers in the background.

i for one fully support initiatives to ensure review quality.  

[Berg Ryman]

Jaime, what guys do is actually nothing short of miraculous in the opportunities we receive, but an approach to quality over quantity is a calibration I think for the better of both the community involvement in the tests and the tester pool at large.

As far as a release of the calendar, that's an interesting choice. I'd say maybe like a teaser announcement, and I have an idea with it, kind of like a team wide Apple presser style announcement. Could be fun

 

[RichL85]

As always, I for one appreciate the transparency Jamie. The sheer number of tests this year has been incredible. Having said that, personally, I've had a tough time keeping up with all of the ones of interest to me as some of them progressed very quickly and coincided with other tests. It was a challenge to keep up with some of them. As far as the testing calendar, I like the surprise approach. I feel like some people will hone in on a specific few tests they want and really focus at that time of the year in an attempt to be selected. Of course I trust the mod team to see these kinds of things and make solid selections as you have done, but by having a schedule out, I feel like you could risk some early year participation with people waiting for a specific test later in the year. The quality of the tests should be important as they contribute a piece of the community, but this place is so much more than just testing. The overall community will remain, and honestly anyone that is around purely for the testing is missing out on the best part of the forums. 

 

[Shankster]

Great update.  I will echo that it is hard to keep up with this many things going on at once, but those opportunities I am sure were welcomed with open arms.  
 

I don’t think you needed to say “Only 30” though, because Any test opportunity is better than 0.  
 

I have been MIA for the “busy” years, but the forum is in great shape, you and the staff are doing a fantastic job Good Sir.

Keep up the outstanding work Fellas.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I have been around for over six years. I've been through the tough times and our current crazy busy times. Reducing the number of tests from this season is a smart thing to do. Quality over quantity is always a good thing. But I'm afraid the Forum unleashed a beast. Now we have companies reaching out to be part of testing on top of our staff reaching out for opportunities. It will be hard turning some things away without causing some ill feelings.

For the schedule, I would still not disclose up front. You don't want everybody holding out for a bigger opportunities. 

However things pan out just know the Forum Staff has done an amazing job. The forum is the forum and testing was just a bonus.

 

[LeakyValve]

As someone who has tested in the past at a quicker than some might feel rate, and who's getting ready to do another test, I think for me I'd like to know how I did personally. 

 

What did I do well? What did I miss? Too much in my "official review post?" Too little. Pictures, videos etc. 

 

I kinda relate it back to this game that's brought us here. If a buddy is always doing the same thing thinking it's fine and we never tell him "hey man you need to fill your divot, or fix your ball mark on the green," he will never know. 

 

I understand that could make things a bit tricky telling someone "hey. This review didn't cut it this time," since they would never know if they would get the chance to do better. I also can see this being a bit trick in terms of man power too. Having to go through everyone's reviews with all their content etc and grading it can take lot of the staffs time. 

 

Just a thought is all. (Thank you again for the opportunity to test) 

[LeakyValve]

10 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

 

For the schedule, I would still not disclose up front. You don't want everybody holding out for a bigger opportunities. 

 

Gotta agree with Tom here. I pretty much apply for everything that I feel I could actually see myself using for years or a piece of tech that could help me. Lots of times things are restricted to location which I totally get. But if it's NA or a world wide thing I'm there. 

[EasyPutter]

I'm thinking about the numbers of new testers and perhaps employing a coaching element would be helpful.  Where experienced testers who have "made the grade" act as subject matter experts (SMEs) not for the products but for how to approach the testing, the preparation involved, the mechanics of unboxing, designing the test in an intentional approach, the capturing the experience however it happens, the documenting the experience and testing with results, the packaging the reviews for publication ready results, so that the final product is top level and ready for public consumption.

Apart from the previous run-on sentence, I embrace the opportunity to test as it is an odyssey and adventure from which I am truly spent and glad to have it finished once the call is made to have the reviews posted by the date identified by the directing Moderator of the product test.  I would like to know every other tester has done his/her utmost to achieve the same "stick a fork in me 'cause I'm done" result. 

I would be willing as an adult learning professional educator to throw my hat into the ring of a SME pool for such mentoring through the process for anyone who is new to the testing world of the MGS Forum.  As one of my education professors once said, "which would you rather be, the sage on the stage or the guide on the side?"  I always prefer the guide on the side because I would much rather "teach others how to fish" than "provide others a prepared meal."

Edited September 16 by EasyPutter
readability

[Siamese Moose]

I rather like the idea of publishing the full list in advance, however, I'd tell people that they can only apply for a limited number of tests. This should get applicants to prioritize only to what they're really interested in, and I think that should lead to better reviews.

[Lefty11]

I appreciate the extensive testing opportunities available at MGS. This year, I was fortunate to test the Vice Pro Air golf ball, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I believe my past experience will be valuable for future testing opportunities. Moving forward, I plan to apply only for the tests that interest me most.  I fully support MGS in reducing the number of tests. I can only imagine the challenge of managing the amount they had this past year.  

Edited September 15 by Lefty11

[Golfspy_CG2]

3 hours ago, Shankster said:

Great update.  I will echo that it is hard to keep up with this many things going on at once, but those opportunities I am sure were welcomed with open arms.  
 

I don’t think you needed to say “Only 30” though, because Any test opportunity is better than 0.  
 

I have been MIA for the “busy” years, but the forum is in great shape, you and the staff are doing a fantastic job Good Sir.

Keep up the outstanding work Fellas.

Yeah 30 is still a big number. If you simply look at as 1 a week, thats over 7 months of testing or April to November.  There are already some nice ones lined up for 2025!

 

 

[bens197]

8 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

I don't recall how many tests will be completed by year's end, but I know it'll be a LOT. It's an incredible testament to the forum staff to keep things running smoothly throughout this year's chaos.

I don't have all the background from year's past as I really only re-engaged early summer last year. But I can understand HQ's concern about the forum becoming known purely for testing opportunities. With the number we will have done this year, it's an understandable conclusion.

With the cut in opportunities next year, your concern about the drop off in participation is inevitable. There are plenty of people only here for those opportunities for "free stuff" as you said. Those folks will likely disappear. Luckily, from what I've witnessed over the past 1.5 years there is an incredible foundation of members who won't let the number of tests deter them from being here daily and consistently being involved in other posts and topics. As long as HQ is aware that a drop-off is inevitable, we should be fine.

Regardless of what comes next year, I'll be here enjoying it all - testing or non-testing threads.

My thought around the releasing of the testing schedule - I wouldn't make it public. What I think will happen is that the "part-timers" will only be involved around the time a test is coming that they want to try and get picked for, then disappear otherwise. Keep it to you mods, and let us enjoy the surprise of the tests getting announced. Just my $0.02.

Purely speculative on my part. 
 

I do wonder how many testers chose to test then bail following their review window. 
 

This could be a contributing factor to the 2025 plan.  But it’s not based on anything but a guess. 

[Shrek74]

2 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

But I'm afraid the Forum unleashed a beast. Now we have companies reaching out to be part of testing on top of our staff reaching out for opportunities. It will be hard turning some things away without causing some ill feelings.

I've been thinking a lot about this today.

It'll be an extremely fine line to walk with the OEMs when you turn them down when they come with opportunities. Turn them down once, they may not come back. Go to them in the future after turning them away, they may tell you to go pound sand. I'm not saying you can't turn anyone down in fear of losing them for any future ops. It'll just be a very fine line to walk.

Just something to think about and figure out the best way to deal with the OEMs.

[bens197]

Just now, Shrek74 said:

I've been thinking a lot about this today.

It'll be an extremely fine line to walk with the OEMs when you turn them down when they come with opportunities. Turn them down once, they may not come back. Go to them in the future after turning them away, they may tell you to go pound sand. I'm not saying you can't turn anyone down in fear of losing them for any future ops. It'll just be a very fine line to walk.

Just something to think about and figure out the best way to deal with the OEMs.

Frame it in this manner instead. 
 

This forum has earned a lot of credibility. In the same regard as a well esteemed restaurant, everyone does not get a seat at the table. It becomes more exclusive and elevates rather than dilutes the product, being the forum and its reviews. 

[TJ Hall]

2 hours ago, EasyPutter said:

I'm thinking about the numbers of new testers and perhaps employing a coaching element would be helpful.  Where experienced testers who have "made the grade" act as subject matter experts (SMEs) not for the products but for how to approach the testing, the preparation involved, the mechanics of unboxing, designing the test in an intentional approach, the capturing the experience however it happens, the documenting the experience and testing with results, the packaging the reviews for publication ready results, so that the final product is top level and ready for public consumption.

Apart from the previous run-on sentence, I embrace the opportunity to test as it is an Odyssey and adventure from which I am truly spent and glad to have it finished once the call is made to have the reviews posted by the date identified by the directing Moderator of the product test.  I would like to know every other tester has done his/her utmost to achieve the same "stick a fork in me 'cause I'm done" result. 

I would be willing as an adult learning professional educator to throw my hat into the ring of a SME pool for such mentoring through the process for anyone who is new to the testing world of the MGS Forum.  As one of my education professors once said, "which would you rather be, the sage on the stage or the guide on the side?"  I always prefer the guide on the side because I would much rather "teach others how to fish" than "provide others a prepared meal."

This is a great idea…it is a bit of a learning experience going through a test.  The moderators have been great providing feedback and answering any questions, but having an additional group to help might be beneficial.

[WaffleHouseTour]

14 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

We are hard at work for a new community map with course reviews integrated. 

This!  If there is one thing missing from the forum its course reviews. Granted, there are other (cough, cough) places on the internet that specialize in that.  But for all the things discussed here, the equipment, technique, skill, etc., the one area that doesn’t get discussed much are the courses.  Or maybe it’s just me and I keep missing them, and if so, ignore the above. 

[Indy_Oz]

16 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

For 2025 we will only be hosting 30 member tests. There are a few more things we are contemplating, such as even releasing the schedule when we have it built. 

...

We will have had 350 plus members take part this season which is great, next year that number will be in the 160 range. 

...

We will have more Live Q&A and more of our fun and engaging community calls. 

We are hard at work for a new community map with course reviews integrated. 

 

Thanks for the transparent approach to future planning! I'd vote for quality over quantity any day. We all want to see thorough testing and I'm very appreciative of the testing opportunities I've been presented and I'm very cognizant of the responsibility and need to meet all requirements as best I can. I look forward to seeing the makeup of 2025 testing. After the current test I'm in, I plan on  trying to contribute more outside official testing- like unofficial product reviews/ tests. Hone the testing art a little on my own time, as it were.

I love being part of this community and it's a really nice distraction from mainstream social media! I enjoy the live Thursday community calls and try to listen in to as many as I can- hearing those discussions adds to the feeling of transparency from you staff and helps foster a sense of belonging to a real community rather than just a bunch of bulletin boards.lol

I like the idea of the community map and course reviews being integrated. If there's a way for multiple spies to add their own reviews and photos to a single course entry- like yelp and other search and review apps- that might be a valuable resource for the community.

Thanks for all the work you and the other staff/ mods do to keep growing and evolving the MGS community.

[Rob Person]

First off,  transparency- it's not only unique to have here, it's refreshing.  I know a number of members float between multiple sites, and have read many a reply about the negative side of those sites. I have rarely heard anything negative about MGS, and most of the negativity floats around from someone not being selected. 

Secondly,  whether it's 160 or 600 test opportunities, it's the quality of those reviews that are the driving force behind OEMs coming back every year, and new ones jumping on board. 

Third- The List release. A whole year release may be a bit much, but perhaps a forum only, monthly or quarterly release list, would be a bit more practical. I think this would set real expectations for members to consider what they really may want to be a part of.

I also remember it being discussed in the CC that while the major tests would be reduced, that there possibly would be less critical opportunities bought forth in between.  These could remain as they are,as " pop up " opportunities, to fill some gaps and give new members some opportunities to showcase their review abilities. (ie- balls, training aids, gloves,  etc etc)

Fourth- I can't imagine the personal demand this much effort places on you as mods and staff. You aren't just managing the forums, you are actually working! I can only speak of my personal gratitude for what you do. So THANK YOU ALL.

Lastly- The members here, and the quality of that membership,  is second to none. The knowledge, the guidance, the generosity, the comradery, and the overall composure that everyone carries is insurmountable! 

For me, this is what MyGolfSpy is all about!

 

[William P]

As a newer member who was fortunate enough to be selected for testing in early 2024, I'd like to thank the Forum Staff for all the effort to pull off a record year of testing. The amount of their personal time spent managing this volume of testing is nothing short of commendable. It is unfortunate that expectations for testing and review have not been met in all cases as quality of review, and participation level are driving factors to the success of this benefit provided us from participating OEM's. I completely understand and agree with "quality vs quantity" being a strong consideration in the number of testing opportunities made available on an annual basis. 

While testing opportunities may be a key driver in membership growth, this community is much more than a "product testing" Forum as evidenced by the numerous threads and outside interactions shared due to relationships started within these confines. This group of gracious, giving, and caring individuals is the DNA that makes this Forum special.

As for publishing an annual schedule I would prefer it remain as is, which provides for some added excitement and enthusiasm when announced. Besides, if fully published, @GolfSpy_APH wouldn't get to "stir the pot" before announcement of new opportunities.