GolfWRX is revolutionizing Gear Trials, and we need testers!

We probably spend more time talking about Gear Trials than anything else we do at GolfWRX. We can't help it. The processes of testing, tweaking and buying new golf equipment is one of the many reasons we love this game so much. We know that fascination will never leave us, like the permanent calluses on our hands. It's just the way we are.

What's so special about GolfWRX is that we're not alone. GolfWRX is a place where millions of golfers get to talk to other golfers who are, in so many ways, just like them. As people in the golf business often tell us, "You always know when you're talking to a GolfWRXer."

The power of our community was on our minds when we were discussion the 2016 Gear Trials: Best Drivers club test. The last two years, we've focused on the feedback from the top custom golf club fitters in North America to create a list of the best-performing clubs in each category. As good as it worked, we couldn't help but feel a bit disconnected from our community each year when we published our results. GolfWRXers had so many questions, and while we did our best to answer them, it didn't feel like enough.

The good news? We had a crazy idea, and after talking it through with industry experts we've decided to go forward with it.

For 2016, we're going to have GolfWRX Members be our Gear Trials: Best Drivers testers. We're going to handpick 15 of them -- the most golf-crazy, passionate GolfWRXers we can find who meet our criteria -- for this unprecedented event.

Testing will takes place on February 6, 2016 from 8 a.m., to 6 p,m., and will be hosted by Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Its master club fitters will oversee the most objective, transparent driver test we could possibly design.

Each of the 15 GolfWRXers will be systematically fit by Miles of Golf's expert fitters for the leading drivers. They'll hit real golf balls on Trackman, and at the end of the day they'll know what shaft, what head and what setting worked best for each of them. Best of all, each player's data will be published for all to see.

IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY WE TALK ABOUT DRIVERS ON GOLFWRX, AND THAT'S THE POINT.

Who's coming? Of the 15 GolfWRX testers, we're asking that 7-8 be able to provide their own transportation (a.k.a. live within driving distance of Ypsilanti) for the event, and we're going to pay the way for the others to fly in from around the country.

Requirements

Testers will need to carry a handicap of 10 or less, and will get bonus points if they have been fit for a driver before. If they have not been fit for a driver, they need to be willing to go through a fitting before the event.

Each tester will also need to be in "golf shape," as they could hit as many as 200 balls in the 10-hour event. Note that each player's testing will be broken up into several sessions with ample recovery periods in between.

We also need testers to bring their "gamer" driver, as well as clubs to warm up with before the event.

So you want to be a part of 2016 Gear Trials?

We will be sending invitations to select out-of-towners, but we are also looking for firm commitments for GolfWRX Members who can commute to be with us from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday February 6, with a massive dinner to follow.

If interested in being a 2016 Gear Trials: Best Drivers Tester and can commute, please send an email to [email protected] and add your member name, post count and join date.

• Where: Miles of Golf (in Ypsilanti, Michigan)
  
• When: Saturday February 6th, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Out-of-towners will arrive Friday February 5 and leave Saturday February 6 or Sunday February 7.
  
• What: 8-to-10 hours of testing. Breakfast and lunch provided. Dinner afterward.
  
• Who: 15 GolfWRX Members with handicaps of 10 or better.
  
• Why: Because this is how a GolfWRX Driver Test should be organized.
  

Wow, this is a great idea. Glad this is happening. You can look forward to an email from me shortly. Ex D-1 golfer and I used to be a club fitter for PING during the summer before I joined the workforce. Would love to make the trip

Just to be clear, you are only looking for testers who provide their own transport, correct? The people who you are providing transportation have already been selected and received invites?

I'm in. I'll fax my list of demands. You're welcome.

Awesome!

Great idea! I am within driving distance to the event. That day just happens to be my birthday!

[quote name='RonSwanson' timestamp='1449852078' post='12707578']
Just to be clear, you are only looking for testers who provide their own transport, correct? The people who you are providing transportation have already been selected and received invites?
[/quote]

Since the expense is to high for us to pay for all testers we split the pot. 1/2 will be invited (we have not sent invites yet) and the other 1/2 will be local that can make it to Ypsilanti Michigan by 7:30-8:00 on their own.

Going to check the calendar but sounds like fun

I'll be signing up. I have never been fit but I have been on trackman a lot testing for various OEM's here in SoCal and I have hit more heads and shafts than most fitting carts even carry on my own. If selected, I could go down to TM Kingdom or Titleist TPI in Oceanside for their fitting process first if required.

I threw my name into the hat! I would love to be chosen.

would be awesome to participate in the Golfwrx gear trials, yes, meet all criteria, and am local too (Macomb, Mi.)

I hope to get invited...thanks for the opportunity

This would be awesome!!! I am right down the road

If I didn't have kids I'd be there and pay my own air faire. sounds like an awesome event.

I could drive there pretty easily. Could stay the night at my parents in Toledo and head up there bright and early. I have my trackman numbers from a fitting around here somewhere.

Would love an invite. The in-laws live about 45 min from Ypsi.

Regardless of whether or not I'm chosen, this is a terrific idea! Another reason GolfWRX is the best.

Count me in!

Love the idea! Well done GolfWRX (and if you haven't decided on the invite list, well... you wouldn't need to twist my arm )

A. How do I get invited?

B. Would it be weird if I "commute" from California?

This would be an epic event to be a part of. Fingers crossed.

[quote name='RonSwanson' timestamp='1449852078' post='12707578']
Just to be clear, you are only looking for testers who provide their own transport, correct? The people who you are providing transportation have already been selected and received invites?
[/quote]

It's only an eight hour drive.

Looking forward to the results!

Very cool, I'm always in. You have my digits

I love the idea!!

I wanna be there.......

This would be AWESOME. Early congrats to anyone who is able to attend. Can't wait for the reviews.

[quote name='easyyy' timestamp='1449853178' post='12707664']
[quote name='RonSwanson' timestamp='1449852078' post='12707578']
Just to be clear, you are only looking for testers who provide their own transport, correct? The people who you are providing transportation have already been selected and received invites?
[/quote]

Since the expense is to high for us to pay for all testers we split the pot. 1/2 will be invited (we have not sent invites yet) and the other 1/2 will be local that can make it to Ypsilanti Michigan by 7:30-8:00 on their own.
[/quote]

Gotcha. It wasn't clear to me at first read whether you should only email for a spot if you were local. The edit makes that clear. Thank you.

Email coming...this would be phenomenal (and a last hurrah before baby #2 arrives)!

To GOLF WRX: Less than 36% of the golfers who keep a handicap are 10 or below. You want tester only 10 or below.
That leaves the rest of us (64%) with no idea what these drivers will do to help us and how the fitting could improve us.

So how are the people who drive 180 - 230 yards suppose to analyze the data. Does a golfer with a swing speed of 87 - 97 really get to see how this technology helps us?

I am an 18 - 20 handicap and find little help in seeing a 10 or lower handicap's data.

What about all the new Super game improvement drivers being tested with real reviews not just a 4 handicapper giving us his opinion. Ping G 30 SFT, Cobra's new Max, Adams blue and any of the new 2016 Drivers with a real representation of different handicaps would be a lot more useful.

Thanks.

[quote name='MIKEK' timestamp='1449867649' post='12708676']
So how are the people who drive 180 - 230 yards suppose to analyze the data. Does a golfer with a swing speed of 87 - 97 really get to see how this technology helps us?
[/quote]

I can assure you swing speed and handicap have very little correlation.

[quote name='MIKEK' timestamp='1449867649' post='12708676']
I am an 18 - 20 handicap and find little help in seeing a 10 or lower handicap's data.
[/quote]

I'm almost positive they are limiting the handicaps based on the fact that a lower handicap player has a more consistent swing and can make consistent contact. It's exactly what I would have done when I worked with a major shaft manufacturer. Testing a product on a higher handicap would yield inconsistent results. And to address your follow-up point that is no doubt coming - most lower handicap players can hit it wherever necessary on the face, so testing the forgiveness is achievable.

[quote name='DaRiz' timestamp='1449865673' post='12708526']
A. How do I get invited?

B. Would it be weird if I "commute" from California?
[/quote]

We have not invited the out of towners yet. The WRX team (mods and writers) are talking about that list now. We are looking for highly active and member respected guys to come out. There are obviously many of those so we will have a long list and at some point have to make a tough choice.


[quote name='sethdavidsdad' timestamp='1449866661' post='12708590']
Very cool, I'm always in. You have my digits
[/quote]

Make sure to email us. We will not be looking through this thread. The emails will be the trigger.