Articles you'd like to see in GM

[Gazboy]

I'd like to see a 4 ball (7hc/14hc/21hc/28hc) guided expertly around a bum basic £25 a round on a Sunday public play & play course, hole by hole to demonstrate course management and the different approaches for different abilities on the same course with very clear illustrations of each hole and the path their four balls took. Pick a different course each month.

 

[HickoryShaft]

I'd like to see a 4 ball (7hc/14hc/21hc/28hc) guided expertly around a bum basic £25 a round on a Sunday public play & play course, hole by hole to demonstrate course management and the different approaches for different abilities on the same course with very clear illustrations of each hole and the path their four balls took. Pick a different course each month.

I like this idea - would be of real interest.

 

[Allanxyz]

What about, ordinary bloke plays, but has top caddy/pro to advise on course management.... See how much lower he can go with some good advice....

 

[Allanxyz]

hi all

some interesting suggestions here (always good to get feedback so thanks for this) and I'll review with the team when we next have an editorial meeting

Great thanks Mike.

Becuase of the effect of custom fitting I'm not sure what they comparing old models idea would really prove. Sure you might get one golfer hitting R11s further than R1 (its replacement) but that would be down to how the individual launched the ball.

i take your point, but you regularly compare and rate new models against each other, where the same issues exist. In reality many people buy second hand equipment, whether that is the right thing to do or not, with the adjustability clubs now offer. What it may or may not prove is that the old models may be just as good for "your swing" as the new models and at half the price.

 

[Tiger]

Would really like to see a feature 'behind the scenes' with Scotty Cameron. At the studio on tour etc. Seeing some of the custom models up close and an interview with Scotty himself.

Also, after being fortunate enough to meet one of the guys on the TM day. Would really like to see a 'day in the life' sort of feature with one of the tour reps as they go through the week from Monday-Sunday.

Really like the OP's idea but as other's said, think any negative press about the models might get the manufacturers backs up. It does always annoy me slightly though when there is a wedge/driver/irons review and there's usually 2 or 3 gold/silver/bronzes so that all the top manufacturers get some sort of recognition. I know clubs are subjective but would really like to see a definite top 3 when reviewing that number of clubs.

They did do this article last year but cant remember what edition it was... anyone remember?

 

[Beezerk]

I'd like to see a 4 ball (7hc/14hc/21hc/28hc) guided expertly around a bum basic £25 a round on a Sunday public play & play course, hole by hole to demonstrate course management and the different approaches for different abilities on the same course with very clear illustrations of each hole and the path their four balls took. Pick a different course each month.

+1 for this excellent idea.

 

[evahakool]

Great thanks Mike.



i take your point, but you regularly compare and rate new models against each other, where the same issues exist. In reality many people buy second hand equipment, whether that is the right thing to do or not, with the adjustability clubs now offer. What it may or may not prove is that the old models may be just as good for "your swing" as the new models and at half the price.

Agree with this, but to be blunt i would go farther and say its a bit if a cop out to not to do a review of old vs new because of custom fitting,whilst I agree with the logic of saying this,most of the golfers I know don't go down this route and I suspect the majority of golfers don't get custom fitted.I would like to see the results of a test of this kind for drivers as I suspect it would show that the new driver wouldn't perform much better than the old.

Financialy times are hard for some and many golfers have to by second hand,I think it would be good for GM to bear this in mind.

I like the idea of a pro taking a golfer around advising him on club selection, course management etc,maybe different pro and different h/c golfer each month,now that would make for a interesting article.

 

[Hacker Khan]

with regards testing of kit as we always point out custom fitting is so advanced these days (both in terms of the sheer range of head/shaft options available and the actual fitting process using GC2/trackman/flightscope etc itself) that there is no such thing as a best driver (or irons etc) on the market. So, I'm sorry if you want us to say here's the one YOU should buy, but we can't!

I could go through 20 driver fittings and at the end I'd come out with a 'best' peforimng driver for me.
One of the other guys on my team could do the same 20 fittings and I'd be 99% certain they wouldnt come out with the same driver/spec as me.

Then you need to consider budget and of course personal preference in terms of looks. I have a driver in the garage that i hit further (and just as straight) as any of the 6 others I have else but dont really like the looks so I dont use it.

I take this on board and thanks for taking the time to reply. But I would argue that all reviews have a large element of subjectivity in them. And the public knows this.

It is not an exact science and golf equipment is no different from any other consumer item in that what works/looks/feels/sounds/smells/fits/tastes best for the reviewer will not always be best for the consumer. When I read Q magazine I know that I am not going to love every 5 stared album, and won't hate every 1 stared album. The review in Q is based on the subjective opinion of the reviewer. Same with car magazines and every other one, they are not giving you a definitive answer over which item is best for you, but they are giving their opinions that will always be subjective. Just because it is virtually impossible to give a scientifically proven definitive answer to what is best, it does not mean you can't have a go at reviewing, praising and criticising when needed and ranking them.

I think the readership are intelligent enough to realise that just because GM says this driver is the best out of the bunch they tested it does not mean that it will be the best for everyone. As there is always a caveat about getting fitted.

I'd refer to the way Mark Crossfield reviews things. He if careful not to slag anything off too much (I completely understand the mags need the manufacturers on side and the manufacturers need the mags on side) whilst at the same time he does not come out and say that everything is brilliant, which is sometimes what I feel GM does. Even the minus points usually have caveats. As then to me the reviews just become a bit meaningless and the line between a proper review and a rehash of a press release becomes a bit blurred for my liking.

As I already said, I really liked the driver review all the writers did a few issues ago. I thought it was an excellent piece in that the characteristics of the people involved were described and there were some opinions and conclusions stating which ones were best for them. And I imagine every reader understood that just because you for example hit a driver well, does not mean that they will.

But with regards to the glove review in this months mag, after reading it I still have no idea or guidance on what I should buy if I fancied a new glove. And other than it telling me lots of manufacturers make decent gloves, it wasn't much use. If the idea is to just tell people what is out there then OK. But I would expect a little bit more opinion and from a golf mag. At least have a couple of star picks, recommendations. I am sure this used to happen?

And another thing is that blokes love lists and comparisons! They are mad for reviews and lists of things. So I'd expect the readership of GM will love this kind of thing.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Solheim cup team - "favourite G strings on tour", and the fitting process.....

I can dream can't I?

The odd article on golf course design or thoughts on particular golf holes, why they were amended, how they were amended etc, maybe from some famous golf courses, or even the local members club (plus pictures, of course).

 

[North Mimms]

I'd like an article every month on how to get out of a bunker...

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I'd like to see a monthly weather forecast so I can plan my golf in advance :thup:

 

[ludders]

I'd like to see a 4 ball (7hc/14hc/21hc/28hc) guided expertly around a bum basic £25 a round on a Sunday public play & play course, hole by hole to demonstrate course management and the different approaches for different abilities on the same course with very clear illustrations of each hole and the path their four balls took. Pick a different course each month.

This is a good idea they could play the course on their own first then see what kind of reduction maybe having a tour caddy could help them with on a second round when they impart their course management knowledge

 

[paddyc]

I know the European Tour run one and other mags do but I wonder why GM don't do there own Fantasy golf competition through there website.

1st prize- unlimited golf at any courses in the UK!