Fair or ????

[DaveM]

Do golf mags, report and preview new products. Fairly and honestly?

After all, all mag's need advertizing to keep the cost price down. Infact many would not last long without the add's. If a product was rubbish, would they say so, if it was a major advertizer with them? Running the risk of said company taking their business somewhere else?

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I alluded to this earlier I think in the dispersion thread, if a company 'gives' you a new set of clubs etc etc how easy is it for you to say they are pants. I would hope that reporters report dispassionately however????

 

[Hobbit]

Probably, although they may temper the report a little but still say pretty much what they think.

Look at it another way; if a manufacturer didn't advertise via the magazine how would they reach their target audience? They both need each other.

 

[forefortheday]

Mike (I think) did a piece on this a while ago.

He basically said there are "polite" ways of rating a product, but let's be honest they are only reviewing top end gear (even the "budget" stuff) so it's unlikely to be total rubbish.

 

[IanLeeds]

There must be certain advertising laws or policies in place anyway to stop "mis-selling" but rating a product is only a persons opinion so not sure if this would be covered!

 

[bluewolf]

At the end of the day, A club is only as good as the person holding it. We've probably all had a cheapo club that just does the business for us, even if no one else can bear to look at it. I had a Ram driver that cost 20 notes. It worked for me better than any of the newer "top end" models. Then it got nicked...

Moral of the story.. Ignore reviews and test them yourself...

 

[Brookesy]

At the end of the day, A club is only as good as the person holding it. We've probably all had a cheapo club that just does the business for us, even if no one else can bear to look at it. I had a Ram driver that cost 20 notes. It worked for me better than any of the newer "top end" models. Then it got nicked...

Moral of the story.. Ignore reviews and test them yourself...

Completley agree, i think reviews can give us a very basic look at the equipment but overall you really have to test them yourself. See so many people buying new clubs or something without testing them.

 

[JustOne]

Do golf mags, report and preview new products. Fairly and honestly?

I'm going to guess..... No.

I expect they'd report on the things they DO like... eg colour, how it sits, cost, impact sound etc but then don't the mags do it themselves with...

...."Hit the ball better - guaranteed!" written on the cover

 

[Mr_T]

I think the review of a Nike driver in this months mag is a good example, if I remember rightly this review said they wouldn't have it in there bag or something because FOR HIM there wasnt enough forgiveness, that's how to do it, it's an opinion and just because they don't like it doesnt mean others won't, so they haven't scared people off heave just given a polite but honest answer

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think all the mags have to work within certain criteria or the manufacturers wouldn't bother sending the gear to be tested if it gets slated all the time. I'm sure Mike did a post about how GM position products and their performance and maybe he or Jezz would like to explain a bit more