'ask the experts' section

[MikeH]

Hi all

I’m just following up on the thread below on the ‘ask the experts’ section of the forum

When I added the section a couple of years ago I did it because the one forum was getting way too busy and needed splitting out

I was also hoping we'd get various 'experts' from different areas of the game (PGA Pros, manufacturers, rules officials, handicapping experts etc) to answer queries and to help launch the section we did have some good early input from Golf Monthly's Top 25 coaches who did ‘online swing checks’ with some analysis of videos that forumer's had posted of their own swings

But, for one reason or another, the section never really went in the direction I'd seen it going - and I don’t have a great issue with that. Forums tend to go where the members take them and as I've always said this is 'your' forum so to a large degree you decide how it flows.

What did happen was that forumers were posting answers/advice in response to queries as they felt they had some insight to share.

And, as has been pointed out, we do have 'experts' on the forum be it BobMac as a PGA Pro, Jezz and Neil from GM who are both qualified R&A rules officials, Dodger who is a club manger, Ethan who is clearly knowledgeable on OEM shafts, or others with good experience/knowledge in a certain areas.

I'm also of the view that a lack of formal qualification doesn’t mean you don’t have a valid opinion so in that sense we are all 'experts’ and most of the time there is no definitive ‘right answer’. As the OP it’s up to you what advice you take on board but I’d hope the section might answer most questions or point you in the right direction for further reading etc

What I will try to do from now on is not only make sure there is a GM staffer is regularly monitoring the questions (and aiming to get them answered) and perhaps also schedule some more opportunities for swing analysis from one of our Top 25 Coaches or in fact anything you might want to do a special on be it rules, handicapping, agronomy etc. Please do make some suggestions and we’ll endeavour to get them incorporated

With regards moving posts bottom line is that the moderators can move posts to different forum if they think its better sat in a different section

Hope the above helps

 

[stevek1969]

Mike would it be possible to organise a day with the Top 25 coaches up in Scotland similar to the one they at Prince's during The Open,it looked a great day out ,as we've got Steve North at St Andrews,just a thought.

 

[3offTheTee]

It was my post that originally 'upset' a member which was not meant to be the case and I appreciate your clarification Mike.

However when one question was responded to the respondee explained what happened at their club. That was not the reply I was looking for. Another said it was up to The Committee.Incorrect. It is mandatory in a 4BBB Comp that it is 3/4 handicap.

My point is, Do the necessary 'experts' have the necessary expertise? There are some extremely knowledgable people on here Rule mashie niblick, handicap matters Fylde white:Tuition/tips Bob.

Hope this clarifies my point and if anyone is offended please accept my apologies

 

[MashieNiblick]

Thanks for the explanation Mike and for the name check 3offTheTee.

I have to say my Rules knowledge is based simply on a personal interest, some knowledge of what's on the R&A site and a willingness to do a bit of reseach borne out of my own curiosity, rather than any formal experience or expertise as a Referee or Committee member.

As a relative newcomer to the forum I thought the "Ask the Experts" section was a general enquiries section, as opposed to the Lounge which is a forum for debate, and that "experts" was interpreted fairly loosley so anyone with some knowledge or experience of the issue might chip in. In my line of work we have what we call "experts by experience" and that is partly what I thought this section offered as opposed to general debate about golf, updates on people's personal progress, etc., which was what the Lounge was for.

So an enquiry about the Rules would go on Ask the Experts, but a debate about the Rules (e.g. was it fair that Poulter was penalised when he dropped his ball on his marker?) would belong in the Lounge. Equally with equipment, etc. However in practice it seemed that things just went where the OP thought was best with most things being posted in the Lounge as it is generally busier.

So on that basis it is interesting to read what MikeH says about the original intention.

At the end of the day I'm not sure it really matters who replies but I would agree that if a question is posted on "Ask the Experts" it suggests a definitive answer rather than an opinion or a guess is required.

It is likely however that if we took too strict an interpretation of "experts" all the "any good putting drills?" or "how do I hit a draw" would would only be open to Bobmac and the very low h/cappers, even if someone else was able to provide a perfectly good answer based on their experience.

 

[johnboywalton]

I feel people have gone a little OTT about this particular section. I am still very new to the forum, but my interpretation is as follows -

I will post a question about a subject/problem and an "expert" will try to help or offer advice, and anyone else who has a knowlegable opinion on the subject may chip in!!
There is not a panel of Golf experts sitting there 24/7 waiting for YOUR question, then immediately give you an answer!!!!
I think people need to get in the real world, for myself, i find it a very helpful section and what i choose to do with the results is up to me!
This is "free" information from other golfers trying to help people out,if you are not happy with it, simple! -

Go and PAY for a pro etc. to answer your bloody questions!!!!

 

[MikeH]

As a relative newcomer to the forum I thought the "Ask the Experts" section was a general enquiries section, as opposed to the Lounge which is a forum for debate

MashieNiblick's summary pretty much hits the nail on the head...much more succinct than my OP!

Steve, I'll certainly have a look at the possibility of taking the Top25 coaches idea to other regions - the big issue is logistics and the main one staffing the event. I needed to have eight staff and a photographer there to man the day which was fine this time at Princes when I had them all down for the Open next door anyway, but it might start to get very expensive/difficult to organise if I'm trying to get them around the country for a one off event. As I say, I'll certainly look into it.

 

[Losttheplot]

For me the experts in the experts section should be experts.

But define experts in an amateur golfers forum?? PGA pro's... Low handicappers...how low do you have to be?

I consider myself to be very knowledgable on the technique side of the game due to the experience I have in this area but because I don't play in single figures anymore I find it hard to see how anyone would want to hear from a 10.6 handicapper offering advice on their swing faults.
In fairness I don't offer too much advice in the section anymore for this reason.

I can imagine it's a similar situation when you post a question and a 28 handicapper who's previously stated hes only played the game for 2 months is giving detailed swing analysis.
But this IS an amateur forum and it's got to be expected from time to time.

I'd rather see discussion on golf topics and tales of peoples bad rounds or bad swing days in the lounge and leave the ask the experts section for more in depth definitive answers, which it already is, generally.

 

[CliveW]

Why not rename it "Ask a Question" ?

 

[stevek1969]

As a relative newcomer to the forum I thought the "Ask the Experts" section was a general enquiries section, as opposed to the Lounge which is a forum for debate

MashieNiblick's summary pretty much hits the nail on the head...much more succinct than my OP!

Steve, I'll certainly have a look at the possibility of taking the Top25 coaches idea to other regions - the big issue is logistics and the main one staffing the event. I needed to have eight staff and a photographer there to man the day which was fine this time at Princes when I had them all down for the Open next door anyway, but it might start to get very expensive/difficult to organise if I'm trying to get them around the country for a one off event. As I say, I'll certainly look into it.

Cheers Mike ,didn't realise you had so many staff there for the day,the pictures looked like the guys had a good day,agree the expense kind of humps the idea.

Cheers anyway

 

[CMAC]

As a relative newcomer to the forum I thought the "Ask the Experts" section was a general enquiries section, as opposed to the Lounge which is a forum for debate

MashieNiblick's summary pretty much hits the nail on the head...much more succinct than my OP!

Steve, I'll certainly have a look at the possibility of taking the Top25 coaches idea to other regions - the big issue is logistics and the main one staffing the event. I needed to have eight staff and a photographer there to man the day which was fine this time at Princes when I had them all down for the Open next door anyway, but it might start to get very expensive/difficult to organise if I'm trying to get them around the country for a one off event. As I say, I'll certainly look into it.

maybe get the big companies to sponsor a GM top 25 coaches tour of the UK, would be great PR for them and GM, they can tout their new clubs etc as well, dates could be around the big golf events so they get 'extra' exposure, its a marketing mans dream!

 

[Ethan]

For me the experts in the experts section should be experts.

But define experts in an amateur golfers forum?? PGA pro's... Low handicappers...how low do you have to be?

I consider myself to be very knowledgable on the technique side of the game due to the experience I have in this area but because I don't play in single figures anymore I find it hard to see how anyone would want to hear from a 10.6 handicapper offering advice on their swing faults.
In fairness I don't offer too much advice in the section anymore for this reason.

I can imagine it's a similar situation when you post a question and a 28 handicapper who's previously stated hes only played the game for 2 months is giving detailed swing analysis.
But this IS an amateur forum and it's got to be expected from time to time.

I'd rather see discussion on golf topics and tales of peoples bad rounds or bad swing days in the lounge and leave the ask the experts section for more in depth definitive answers, which it already is, generally.

There is only a partial correlation between ability and expertise. Pros and low handicappers are (relative) experts in hitting the ball into the hole, but not necessarily all experts in all aspects of the game. I have heard pros answer questions from customers with confident answers that were plainly and demonstrably wrong.

If you really insist on experts, you need to engage people from the manufacturers if it is about equipment, proper swing coaches if it is about the swing.

Bob, is of course an expert in most things.

 

[Tiger]

There is only a partial correlation between ability and expertise. Pros and low handicappers are (relative) experts in hitting the ball into the hole, but not necessarily all experts in all aspects of the game. I have heard pros answer questions from customers with confident answers that were plainly and demonstrably wrong.

If you really insist on experts, you need to engage people from the manufacturers if it is about equipment, proper swing coaches if it is about the swing.

Bob, is of course an expert in most things.

Yo' Shaft, I'm digging yo vibe man

 

[bobmac]

I feel I can speak from both sides of the fence. Having been a low handicapper for many years and now a pro I know a lot more about golf now having completed the PGA course.
I suspect some of the pros who qualified many years ago may not have had the advantage I had when doing my training.

To qualify as a pro you have to pass all the modules which include rules, club technology, IT, workshop, sports science (biomechanics), swing coaching, business, and custom fit.
I think that's all.
At the end of the 3 year course you are awarded a degree in golf from Birmingham University.
So a student passing out today I guess will be better trained and educated than a pro who qualified say 20 years ago.
I dont claim to know everything but I do prefer to specialise in the teaching side of golf, rather than the shop sales or club technology.

 

[sev112]

Bob - very interesting; how many different swing theories do they cover on teh PGA "course" - ie do they teach you th ebackground to stack'n'tilt, and whatever Moe Norman used to play, and various others ? Or do they just teach the "PGA Swing" ?

 

[bobmac]

Their teaching is based on the 5 ball flight laws and preferences.
They also stress there are lots of ways to play golf well but if as a coach we follow the 5 laws, the student's golf should improve.